The Uruguayan basketball team defeated Panama with a score of 93-60 on Thursday, securing their first victory in the opening window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 qualifiers. Under the direction of Gerardo Jauri, the Uruguayans were dominant from the initial whistle, showing strength that never wavered against a Panamanian team that failed to make the necessary adjustments to improve their weak defense, which allowed the South Americans too much freedom. Jauri's team looked cohesive and was always ready to capitalize on repeated errors in the Panamanian backcourt, while the Central Americans never managed to dominate the paint. Uruguay (28+27+21+17) thus delivered a well-rounded performance, dominating in all areas: shooting percentage (49%), two-pointers (51.28%), three-pointers (46.67%), free throws (73.33%), and rebounds (43%). The best players for Uruguay were, in first place, point guard Luciano Parodi with 23 points (4 threes and 4 two-pointers), shooting guard Nicola Pomoli with 16 points (4 threes and 2 two-pointers), and point guard Santiago Vescovi with 11 points (2 two-pointers, 1 three, and 2 free throws). For Panama (12+20+15+13), coached by Argentine Gonzalo García, standout players were forward Ricardo Lindo with 14 points (5 two-pointers, 1 three, and 1 free throw), power forward Aki Mitchell with 14 points (6 two-pointers and 2 free throws), and center Eric Romero with 9 points (2 two-pointers and 5 free throws). The Panamanians, who for this window will not have the presence of their main star, Iverson Molinar, will return the visit to the Uruguayans next Sunday when they play the second match that closes this first qualifying window of the Americas, at the Antel Arena in Montevideo. Panama and Uruguay, along with Cuba and Argentina, make up Group D of this first qualifying window towards the 2027 World Cup. In Group A, the teams are the United States, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Mexico; in Group B, Puerto Rico, Canada, Bahamas, and Jamaica; in Group C, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Chile. In total, there are 16 teams from the Americas in these four groups. The qualifying tournament includes three initial windows (November 2025, February and July 2026), from which the 12 teams that will advance to the Second Round will emerge. In the second round, another three windows (August and November 2026, and March 2027) will be played to define the seven available spots.
