Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 9:36 am CST.
Panama and Nicaragua to clash for gold at 8:00pm
Jason Orosco sinks Panama in Central American Games semifinal loss on Tuesday at the Gimnasio Nacional Teodoro Palacios Flores in Guatemala City. Photo Credit: XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: 
Belize will play for bronze at the XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025 on Wednesday at 3:00pm against Guatemala—a team they defeated by 29 points in the group stage. The Belize National Men’s Basketball Team is determined to finish strong after falling 82–74 to Panama in Tuesday’s semifinal at the Gimnasio Nacional Teodoro Palacios Flores in Guatemala City.
Guatemala fell 93–73 to Nicaragua in the other semifinal.
Belize earned their place atop Group B with a perfect 3–0 record, dominating all three matchups:
Saturday, October 25: Belize 83–68 El Salvador- Sunday, October 26: Belize 72–43 Guatemala
- Monday, October 27: Belize 93–47 Honduras
Panama, meanwhile, finished second in Group A behind Nicaragua, setting up their semifinal clash with Belize
Tevaughan Dawson scrambles for the ball against Panama’s Johny Murillo during the semifinal of the XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025 on Tuesday at the Gimnasio Nacional Teodoro Palacios Flores in Guatemala City. Photo Credit: XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025
Belize, coached by Stephen ‘Muerte’ Williams, battled hard throughout the semifinal on Tuesday. Panama led 16–13 after the first quarter, but Belize surged ahead 36–34 at halftime with aggressive defense and sharp ball movement. The third quarter saw Panama regain control, edging ahead 60–56.
Panama regrouped in the third quarter, retaking the lead 60–56 heading into the final stretch. Belize battled back, and with 3:53 left on the clock, Captain Devin Moody tied the game at 68–68 with two clutch free throws. But Panama then launched a decisive 14–6 run, pulling away in the final minutes to secure their place in the gold medal match.
Jason Orosco and Tevaughan Dawson led Belize with 17 points and 11 rebounds each. Dawson played every second of the game, anchoring the team with relentless energy. Moody contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Ian Parham added 13 points and six boards. Kelvin Cumberbatch chipped in six points and five rebounds.
Panama’s Johny Murillo topped all scorers with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Héctor Samaniego added 24.
Ian Parham scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds for Belize against Panama in the semifinals of the XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025 on Tuesday at the Gimnasio Nacional Teodoro Palacios Flores in Guatemala City. Photo Credit: XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025
“Panama makes history and advances to the men’s basketball final!” declared the official XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025 Facebook page, celebrating the team’s collective performance and determination.
Despite the loss, the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association expressed pride in the team’s journey:
“Tough game for our men’s basketball team today as they fell to Panama in the semifinals. Despite the loss, we’re proud of them throughout the tournament.”
Belize will now shift focus to the bronze medal match, scheduled for Wednesday at 3:00pm against Guatemala.
The gold medal match between Nicaragua and Panama tips off at 8:00pm.
With national pride and a podium finish on the line, Belize’s ballers are ready to give it their all one last time in Guatemala City.
Michael Caceres sinking two for Belize, in blue, in 72-43 victory over hosts Guatemala at the Central American Games on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Photo Credit: XII Juegos Centroamericanos Guatemala 2025
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The post Central American Games Basketball: Belize to face Guatemala for bronze Wednesday at 3:00pm appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2025. 9:36 am CST. Panama and Nicaragua to clash for gold at 8:00pm Jason Orosco sinks Panama in Central American Games semifinal
The post Central American Games Basketball: Belize to face Guatemala for bronze Wednesday at 3:00pm appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
