Francisco Cruz top scored with 27 points as the holders Mexico beat US Virgin Islands 91-83 in Group B ©Wikipedia

Mexico made a winning start to the defence of their Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship title by claiming an overtime victory against the US Virgin Islands at the Roberto Durán Arena in Panama City.

Francisco Cruz top scored with 27 points as the holders beat their opponents 91-83 in an intense Group B encounter. 

Costa Rica fell to an 82-58 defeat at the hands of the Bahamas, who bounced back from yesterday’s 82-74 loss against the US Virgin Islands.

The other Group B match on the opening day of action saw 2014 bronze medallists, the Dominican Republic, overcome Costa Rica 79-58.

Hosts Panama maintained their 100 per cent record in Group A today, following up yesterday’s 103-48 win over Antigua and Barbuda with an 86-64 success at the expense of 2014 runners-up Puerto Rico.

Antigua and Barbuda suffered a second consecutive loss today, falling to a 74-62 defeat against Nicaragua who successfully recovered from yesterday’s 98-50 mauling against Cuba.

The Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship is taking place at the Roberto Durán Arena
The Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship is taking place at the Roberto Durán Arena ©Wikipedia

Group stage action in Panama City is set to continue until Thursday (June 23) with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Friday (June 24) and Saturday (June 25) respectively.

Ten teams are participating in the event also known as Centrobasket.

The top five teams will automatically qualify for Division A of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification and for the 2017 FIBA Americup, with the top seven qualifying for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games.