VALDIVIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — The Canadian national team had to cross the Americas from north to south and make five changes in their roster, but these were no inconveniences to add another convincing triumph. The ticket to China 2019 is getting closer and closer.

With more than half of their team changed for this second game, Canada had little problems to defeat local team Chile at Valdivia, 84-61, to add their sixth consecutive victory in the Americas Qualifiers to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Canada raised their mark to 7-1 and recovered the Group F lead, a position they share with Venezuela, but with a better point difference.

Joel Anthony, who was not a part of the squad that faced Brazil, was outstanding at Chilean lands with 17 points (7/10 in field goals), five rebounds and three blocks. Brady Heslip added 12 units and Justin Jackson 10, for a balanced offense in the Canadian side.

The North Americans were very effective in the attack, throwing 67.4% in two-pointers and adding eight three-pointers, whereas Chile could only manage three. Canada showed off their collective game with 21 assists and only lost the ball on eight occasions.

Chile, for their part, are practically saying farewell to their attempt at being at the World Cup. The red jerseys now have a 1-7 record, the last place in Group F, with four games left to play. Franco Morales was the outstanding player for the Chileans, with 17 points and five assists. Felipe Haase contributed 11 units and six rebounds.

At the tip-off, Chile faced a renovated Canadian team and, with a 2-pointer by Haase, the South Americans came close, 13-12, with 3:31 left on the clock. The Northerners menaced with taking the game, 23-14, with a 3-pointer by Kyle Landry. Canada, eventually, took home the first 10 minutes, 23-16.

During the second quarter, Manuel Suárez tried to keep Chile in the game, 25-20, with four consecutive points. But the locals went into a drought, and Canada used that to establish their double-digit advantage, 30-20. Chile were a worthy rival for a decent part of the segment, but the collective game played by the Canadians was too much. Three points and three free throws by Heslip put Canada in control, 42-26.

Sebastián Suárez saved face for the Chileans, with a slam-dunk that the fans cheered on, 43-30, before closing the first half of the match.

Canada did not show any symptoms of their long trip from their country and threw 55.6% from the field, including a 66.7 percent in two-points and 41.7 in three-points; also handing 11 assists and losing the ball in just three occasions. Chile were very discrete in the distance throws (1/12 in 3PTs), but their job on the paint (19 rebounds, 7 offensive) kept their hopes up.

During the third quarter, Chile tried to make the game interesting. Three-pointers by Manuel Suárez and by Morales, who added two free throws, and the Chileans brought their fans to their feet, 50-44, with 4:05 left of action. Canada did not allow this to intimidate and imposed their athletic game. They took back control, 58-45, after a layup by Anthony.

The visiting team did not spare any liberties for the locals and Anthony closed the quarter with a two-pointer that gave a greater advantage to Canada, 66-46, after 30 minutes of play.

The last 10 minutes were just a formality. Anthony scored two free throws and Canada increased their difference, 72-48. Chile could not recover, and Aaron Best made two points that kept widening the advantage, 79-54.

When the Qualifiers return at the end of the month of November and the beginning of December, Canada will travel to Venezuela and Brazil. Meanwhile, Chile will play at home against the US Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

FIBA