THOUGH going down to Panama, 55-51, yesterday, Jamaica seemed set to finish in second place with six points in Group A of the Centrobasket Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Jamaica defeated the British Virgin Islands, 71-56, Thursday and the US Virgin Islands, 71-65, Friday.

At press time Group A leaders, unbeaten Dominican Republic, were set to play bottom-of-the-table US Virgin Islands (four points).

In the match against the US Virgin Islands, Garfield Blair rattled the basket with a game-high 27 points, which included three three-pointers and converting six of his seven free throws. Kimani Ffriend chipped in with 18 points, and Akeem Scott added 15 points as Jamaica led 20-13, 38-23, and 50-36 before closing out the match.

Walter Hodge led the way for the US Virgin Islands with 19 points, and Frank Elegar adding 16 points.

With Jamaica’s NBA player, the 7ft 2-in Roy Hibbert of Indiana Pacers, sidelined with a knee injury, Ffriend, Scott and Blair had had to step up but Team Jamaica failed to click against Panama yesterday.

Jamaica led 12-10 in the first quarter and maintained the advantage until the half time with 24-10.

Panama’s Danilo Pinnock scored two early three-pointers to tie up game 26-26 with the shot clock on 8:26 in the third quarter. The match tied up again at 34-34 until Panama’s Desmond Sanders made good a three pointer at 1:31 and the Panamanians leading 37-34. The third quarter ended with Panama 39, Jamaica 38.

As Jamaica led and trailed early in the fourth quarter, Panama finally took control at at 47-44 with 5 minutes 03 seconds left in the match and never relinquished their advantage.

Ffriend ended with 14 points and Scott 11 points, while Panamanian Pinnock had a game-high 19 points, with Pomare Jones and Leonardo Gyovengi both scoring 11 points.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s women defeated US Virgin Islands, 73-62, yesterday. Simone Edwards top-scored with 21 points, and Vanessa Gidden added 18 points. Jamaica led all the way, dominating especially the first three quarters, 16-14, 36-28, 61-46.

The women will play Mexico today and the Dominican Republic tomorrow.

— P Burrowes