JAMAICA MEN'S BASKETBALL team Olympic dreams ended in three straight losses at the Centrobasket Tournament in Panama.
Trying to emulate the feat of the women's team, which qualified for the 2007 FIBA America's Championships, the final qualifying round for the 2008 Olympics, the men finished at the bottom of their group.
Their latest defeat came last night when they lost 97-82 to Cuba. Geoffrey Silvestre scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Cubans to victory over Jamaica.
Chaz Carr led Jamaica with 22 points and Andre Smith had 21.
Prior to the defeat by Cuba, Jamaica lost to Puerto Rico, 83-82, on Wednesday and Mexico, 85-69, on Tuesday.
In what was always perceived to be a tough zone, the Jamaicans ended up in last spot on three points behind Cuba, who they recently beat in the Caribbean Basketball Champ-ionships, and Mexico and Puerto Rico. Cuba and Jamaica will still advance to the next round but have no chance of playing for any of the top four spots.
COMPETITIVE
Mexico and Puerto Rico played last night to decide Group B's winner. Things are a bit more competitive in Group A as Panama are the only team in the group to win both their games. The U.S. Virgin Islands and Costa Rica are in second place on three points each and were also scheduled to play in a key encounter last night.
Only the top four teams from the tournament will progress to the final stage of Olympic qualification at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championships.
The top three will also compete at the Pan American Games in Brazil.
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