GOIANIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — Brazil defeated Chile (83-58) and continue to be undefeated in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers 2019. They attained another comfortable victory in an overflowing Arena Goiânia, with 10,550 attendees; the largest public in a Qualifiers game for this stage, and closed as absolute leaders of Group B.

Lucas Silva, with 15 points (3/6 3PTS, 2/3 2PTS and 2/2 in free throws) was the most outstanding for the local side; Víctor Benite was essential with his long-distance shots, with 14 points (4/5 in 3PTS, all of them in the third quarter), 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Anderson Varejão, meanwhile, was a double figure, with 11 scores and 10 rebounds. For Chile, the 16 points by Sebastián Suárez were not enough, nor were the ones made by Franco Morales, who did 11.

For the victory, Brazil (4-0) secured their pass, with rollover points, to the second round of the September Qualifiers. Last Thursday, the team coached by Aleksandar Petrović defeated Colombia 84-49.

“We had several problems we had to face, there were few days, but we're very pleased with what we achieved. We don't have that game mentality, which is why since the beginning we have yet to find our rhythm. We had a 14-0 quarter with four consecutive errors. Vítor Benite is a silent player, you don't feel it but he’s always there. Many players have responded well, but you must train that mentality. We're going to summon some NBA players for the next stage and be able to play like that for 40 minutes, like I want. The players that have been at this window have an advantage; we’ll have more time to train.”Aleksandar Petrović (BRA)Aleksandar Petrović (BRA)

For his part, the team's captain, Anderson Varejão —whose participation was not certain—, analyzed: “we knew it was going to be very tough at the beginning. Although it's not a very tall team they play a tactic system that we had to respect. We defended badly, but in the second part we did differently, we defended and went out fast and moved the ball. Benite played very well when we needed to get those balls in. He’s been very important. It was very tough in the first part, but we could recover our rhythm and win like we did.”

Varejão continued: “We know that all players that go to the court with pain have to overcome themselves, and that was what happened today with myself and Benite. Up to a few hours before the game we didn’t know if we were going to play. We overcame it and Benite was a monster out in the court,” the Flamengo center added.

“Since the beginning of the Qualifiers we’ve created a very strong team with experienced players, such as Anderson Varejão and Leandro Barbosa, and things have resulted well up until now. I’m very happy of having been able to play and to help the National Team to conquer a victory,” Benite pointed out at the end of the game.

As for Chile (1-3), their qualification is now at risk and they will have to gather victories in the third window to see if they go on to the next round and keep in track for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The team coached by Claudio Jorquera fell before Venezuela, 77-56, in this stage's debut.

The Chilean coach spoke after the match: “I wish to congratulate the Confederation and my team for the job done at this stage. It's an honor to be able to face Brazil. I want to congratulate our National Team's players, who left it all (in the court).”

The beginning was equal but favored Chile with a good perimeter game that tied the score on two occasions. The locals had a brilliant Anderson Varejão as the author of 5 points and 5 rebounds, as well as a block to Ignacio Carrión. Point guard Sebastián Suárez was the most outstanding for the visitors, with 9 points. Renato Vera scored a triple and achieved Chile's best quarter by closing the first segment 18-15 in the visiting team's favor.

Without playing well, in the second period Brazil moved to the front with a quarter of a 10-point difference, the game’s greatest (29-22), with no need for Varejão, with Barbosa and with a solid contribution in the court by Ricardo Fischer. With a 5-0 segment and a good defense, Chile once again closed the difference (39-29) and went to half-time with a three-point bomb by Franco Morales, which closed the quarter down by 4 points 21-14, (36-32). The third quarter was dynamic; Brazil began with a fast game and used three-point shooting very much to maintain their advantage, thanks to a motivated Vítor Benite, with four three-pointers to close the third quarter to their favor 26-18 (62-50). The last act portrayed Brazil's best version (21-8), who managed a 27-point victory, and showcased an excellent domain of the court thus, taking the victory and their ticket to the next round.

For the summer Qualifiers, Brazil will play as visitors against Venezuela and Colombia on June 29 and July 2, respectively. On those same dates, Chile will welcome Colombia and then, Venezuela.

FIBA