MEDELLIN (Colombia) - The first of the three groups that make up the initial phase of the Women's South American League came to an end. In a vibrant match, extremely close from start to finish, Audaz Octubrino defeated Leonas Medellin 70-65, and thus claimed Group B, remaining undefeated.

The Ecuadorian team relied on Jacinta Monroe's great performance. In spite of the pain in her back, which made her leave in the fourth quarter, she ended with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Following her in points were the other two foreign players. On one hand, Shacobia Barbee scored 16, and on the other hand, point guard Veronica Preciado added 14. The peculiarity was that all three players came to the tournament with physical pains and, despite that, they reached the goal.

In the Colombian team, both Yulieth Palomeque, from the bench, and the powerful Jenifer Muñoz closed their personal statistics with 13 points each. Very closely, with 12, was the experienced Yaneth Arias.

The match was resolved in the last minute, with Monroe as the main protagonist. Firstly, the pivot caught an offensive rebound, which she swapped for a two-pointer plus a foul. Then, with less than 30 minutes to go and rushed by the clock, she scored a key three-pointer.

Now, the team from Medellin must wait for the other two segments' resolution, to know if they can make it to the Final Four as the best second team. For now, the ensemble led by professor Luis Cuenca have a 2-1 record and a +24 points difference.

In the first match, which they did not only play for the honor of not leaving the tournament without victories, Pastoras de Lara beat Carl A-Z 84-77.

This Thursday, action will continue in the Women's South American League with the start of Group C in Buenos Aires. On Argentine soil, the teams that will come face to face are: Quimsa of Santiago del Estero, Berazategui, from the province of Buenos Aires, Leonas Guaraníes from Paraguay and Victoria Cogarol from Ecuador.

 FIBA