ST CATHARINES (FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018) - The first day of the FIBA U18 Americas Championship handed wins to the National Teams from Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico and the USA.

Chile overcame a slow start and an onslaught from Michael Moncayo, who had 27 points in the game, to begin the FIBA U18 Americas Championship with a 74-62 win over Ecuador. Maxwell Lorca led the way for the Chileans with a 20 point and 15 rebound performance. The Ecuadorians went into halftime with a 7-point lead, but with full-court defense the Chileans dominated the second half 40-21 to claim the win. Galo Lara’s team shot for a 42% from the field and accumulated 14 assists in the win.

The FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 Host captured a 92-75 win over Argentina, with great efficiency and a fantastic Andrew Nembhard, who led the team in scoring with 28 points. In the second quarter the Canadian put the foot on the gas pedal for a 26-11 quarter. Argentina bet on the long-range game, while the Canadians scored 52 of its points from the paint. Emanuel Miller and AJ Lawson contributed 18 points in the Canadian win.

The defending champs of the FIBA U18 Americas Championship overcame a valiant first half from the Dominican Republic, and dominated the fourth quarter in the second half, to capture a 105-73 win in the opening day of the continental championship. USA shot for a 49% from the field and scored 60 points from the painted area. Cole Anthony was the top scorer for the team coached by Bill Self with 18 points.

Puerto Rico closed the first day of competition with a 84 - 51 win over Panama, after a dominating 27-7 third quarter that secured the game for the Boricuas. The first half showed the parity between the teams, but in the second half, the team coached by Omar Gonzalez dominated every aspect of the game. The Boricuas shot for a 46% from the field and won the battle for the boards 49-39. Three players from Puerto Rico scored in the double-digits, with Victor Rosa leading the way with 12 points.

Tomorrow on the second day of the FIBA U18 Americas Championship, Canada will face Ecuador, Puerto Rico will take-on the Dominican Republic, Argentina will face Chile and USA will face Panama.

FIBA