Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- The Cuban men's basketball team debuted with a 68-109 setback against the Bahamas in the Olympic Pre-qualifying Tournament of the Americas, to be held in the cities of La Banda and Santiago del Estero, in Argentina, until the 20th.

On Monday, the Cuban team could do little against its Bahamian counterpart, which already dominated the game from the first half with an 18-point lead (46-28).

After the break, the winners widened the difference by winning 33-18 and 30-22 in the third and fourth periods, respectively.

Players Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield, who play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States, considered the best basketball league in the world, wreaked havoc on the island team.

Ayton had a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Hield contributed 24 points to lead his team's offense.

Photo: EFE-FIBA

On the opposite side, Karel Guzmán (16) and Pedro Bombino (14) stood out, according to the official website of the tournament.

Among the elements that influenced the Bahamas' victory was their excellent 50 percent effectiveness from the three-point line, making 17 three-pointers in 34 attempts, while the Cubans only managed 27.8 percent (5/18).

In group A, the Cuban team still has to face the local Argentineans on the coming 17th, in what will be another tough match in which they will have the obligation to win to try to advance to the semifinals.

In key B, Chile, which defeated the U.S. Virgin Islands 62-61, and Uruguay, which defeated Colombia 80-65, were victorious in their first matches.

This competition will give only one ticket to the World Pre-Olympic Games on the road to the summer event in Paris 2024.