Hosts Panama overcame Cuba to qualify for the semi-finals of the Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship with an unbeaten record in Group A ©FIBA

Hosts Panama overcame Cuba to qualify for the semi-finals of the Men's Central American and Caribbean Basketball Championship with an unbeaten record in Group A.

Michael Hicks was the home nation’s top goalscorer with 18 points as they edged their opponents 76-71 at the Roberto Durán Arena in Panama City.

They will now go on to face Mexico in the last four after the defending champions secured qualification as Group B runners-up thanks to an 84-81 success at the expense of the Bahamas.

The Mexicans finished second behind the Dominican Republic, who made it four wins out of four with a 75-69 victory over the US Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico await the Dominican in the semi-finals with their 117-66 win against Antigua and Barbuda ensuring second spot in Group A.

The Dominican Republic topped Group B with four wins out of four
The Dominican Republic topped Group B with four wins out of four ©FIBA

The semi-finals and final are scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday (June 25) respectively.

Nicaragua will play the Bahamas in tomorrow's seventh-place playoff followed by Cuba's meeting with the US Virgin Islands in the fifth-place playoff. 

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.