SAN JUAN (2009 FIBA Americas Championship) - Mexico defeated Panama 74-67 to finish their participation in the FIBA Americas Championship with a positive note.

This was their first win of the Quarterfinals and in the Preliminary round they defeated the US Virgin Islands 80-63.

The first quarter ended tied at 18 as Llamas led the Mexicans with 8 points and Danilo Pinnock 6 for Panama.

Llamas continued to lead Mexico on both sides of the court and was followed by Gustavo Ayon and Anthony Pedroza to finish up 39-32. Llamas had 14 points and Ayon 11.

Panama made a comeback in the second half but two free throws by Enrique Zuñiga sealed the win with 29 seconds left.

Anthony Pedroza and Horacio Llamas led Mexico with 18 points each. Gustavo Ayon had another good performance with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Noe Alonzo finished with 12 points.

This was the last game of Horacio Llamas, who played more than 16 years with the national team, making his debut in the 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

"It is a great loss for Mexican basketball. I would have liked to see him with more international accomplishments but he played in a bad period for Mexican Basketball," said Mexican national team head coach and legend, Arturo Guerrero.

Llamas was the first Mexican player in the NBA, playing for the Phoenix Suns from 1996 to 1998 where he played in 28 games and averaged 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Danilo Pinnock led Panama with 20 points and Jaime Lloreda had 15 points with 13 rebounds.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas

MEX/PAN - Mexico ends participation with a positive note