BRONX, NY – On Saturday, the Philippines, Panama, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, China and Puerto Rico participated in the inaugural World Basketball Ambassador Club’s International Showcase held at St. Raymond HS. The games featured local players with roots from four countries and the games were exciting.

In a high scoring affair, the Philippines surprised Panama with a concerted offensive attack led by Ron Harper, Jr. ’17 and 5’10” Jordan Bartlett (St. James (MD) ’16). Increasing its lead quarter by quarter, the Philippines went on to win by 14 points.

Bartlett was unstoppable scoring a tournament high 47 points for the Philippines with Harper, Jr, son of former NBA star Ron Harper, adding an impressive 38 points. Panama was paced by 5’10” Kevin Levine (Bronx Envision Academy ’16) and 5’10” Kojo Dadzie (Truman ’17) with 32 points and 27 points respectively.

Dominican Republic Edges Jamaica, 95-94

The second game of the afternoon was hot and heavy throughout with the lead vacillating back and forth. Jamaica moved out front midway in the opening quarter but an aerial attack by 6’1” Luis Hernandez (Niagara County C.C.) gave D.R. a 7-point advantage to start the second quarter.

Jamaica pushed back, primarily due to the offensive and defensive efforts of 5’8” Danny Charlton (Springfield Garden HS ’17) along with clutch buckets and assists from 5’11” Brandon Jacobs (L.I. Lutheran HS ’17). As a result, the Dominican Republic found themselves down 47-44 at the half.

A strong presence over the rim by 6’8” Willesley Butler (Redemption ’16) kept Jamaica ahead by 4 points to start the final quarter but D.R. was beginning to surge. Buckets by 6’0” Luis Curiel (Calusa Prep ’16) and 6’0” Felipe Lopez, Jr. (Christ the King ’17), son of St. John’s legend and Dominican Republic head coach, turned the tide.

With 3:21 left to play, the Dominican Republic increased their lead to 7 points but the Jamaican team was resilient and tied the game at 94 but with 8 seconds left to play, 5’10” Elvis Dela Rosa (Evelyn Mack ’16) drew a foul and gave D.R. the win going 1 of 2 from the free-throw line.

De la Rosa led Dominican Republic with 30 points with Hernandez contributing 19 points. 6’2” Joel Bailey (Redemption ’17) was the high scorer for Jamaica with 26 points while Butler added 21 points.

Puerto Rico made short work of an undersized team from China. 6’1” Jalen Suber (Thurgood Marshall ’17) was the high man for P.R. with 16 points with Elijah Bulanon (Mt. Saint Michael ’17) adding 14 points. 6’1” Cory Madden (McClancy ’16) and 6’4” Sunil Fong (Mt. Vernon ’18) led China with 12 points and 10 points respectively.