Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico qualify for TORONTO 2015

After the 2014 IWBF Central American and Caribbean Qualification Tournament, three men’s wheelchair basketball teams have booked their place at the Parapan American Games. 18 Nov 2014

Mexico beat Canada in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Americas Cup. They could face each other again at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

ⒸIWBF

By Toronto 2015

Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico’s men’s wheelchair basketball teams have secured their place at the TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games in Canada, after success at the 2014 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Central American and Caribbean Regional Qualification Tournament in Guatemala City.

During the eight team tournament between 1-6 November, Mexico and Venezuela went undefeated before clashing in the final, with the Mexicans claiming gold.

And Puerto Rico secured their position at the Parapan American Games for the first time in their history after winning the bronze medal against El Salvador.

After a successful round-robin group stage, Mexico put the sword to Costa Rica in the quarter-finals in a 67-29 victory, before beating El Salvador 57-20 in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Venezuela beat Honduras 51-17 in the quarter-finals, before reaching the final with a resounding 91-59 victory over Puerto Rico.

In the gold medal game, Mexico controlled from the start and went into the half-way interval with a 35-20 lead. This relentless scoring continued in the second-half, as they finished eventual 60-47 winners. Top scorer in the final for Mexico was Saul Garcia with 16 points.

To reach the bronze medal game, Puerto Rico beat Nicaragua 64-52 in the quarter-finals before their defeat to Venezuela, and El Salvador overcame host Guatemala 59-48 before losing to Mexico in the semis.

But it was Puerto Rico who proved their might in the battle for the last qualification place for TORONTO 2015, as they emerged as 63-32 victors.

Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico will now join Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, USA and host country Canada at the Parapan American Games.

Toronto 2015 will take place from 7-15 August 2015 and will feature 1,608 athletes from 28 countries competing in 15 sports.

For more information, visit the TO2015 Parapan American Games website.