FORMOSA (FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017) – The first day of the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2017 saw victories for Paraguay, USA, Dominican Republic and Canada.

Paraguay followed-up on the impressive qualification to the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, with a win over Venezuela, 70-64. The teams battled for scoreboard leadership during the first half, and neither team could establish a comfortable lead. Paraguay put together a 6-0 run and was able to take a 8-point lead during the last two minutes of the game. Venezuela cut the difference with a three-pointer, but Paraguay secured the win from the free-throw line. Led offensively by 16 points from Jose Barreto, Paraguay took its first win in the history of the U16 continental event.

USA took a dominant 110-69 win over Puerto Rico, for a powerful and telling debut at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship. The defending champions started the Group B match-up with offensive versatility and great athletics for a 21-11 first quarter. Puerto Rico matched the North Americans output in the second quarter as the team scored 24 points each. The team coached by Don Showalter dominated the second half 62-34, to secure the win. The top performer for the USA was Vernon Carey Jr. who had 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Dominicans showed great all-around effort to capture a dominant win over Mexico 86-45 in Group B action. The Dominicans jumped right into the scoreboard with a 28-9 first quarter. The team coached by Melvyn Lopez kept moving the ball and producing on Mexico’s 30 turnovers. Mexico couldn’t find its offensive rhythm and the opponents took advantage in quick transitions. The Dominicans shot for a 47% from the field, and were led offensively by 22 points from David Jones.

Canada closed out the first day of the FIBA U16 Americas Championship with an important win over host Argentina, 75-61, in Group A action. The Canadian shot the ball with good percentages and efficiency from the get-go and escaped to a 22-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Canadian closed the first half better, for a 17-point lead. Argentina won the second half, but the Canadians maintained the distance on the scoreboard with a 49-shooting percentage from 2-point land. Canadians were led offensively by 22 points from Cashius McNeilly.

Tomorrow on the second day of the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, Puerto Rico will take on Mexico in Group B action, Paraguay will take on Canada, USA will look for its second win in Group A against the Dominican Republic and Argentina will face Venezuela in Group A action.

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