RIO DE JANEIRO (FIBA Americas Championship) – Team Brazil won the gold medal after defeating Team Puerto Rico, 86-65, during the Pan-American Games’ finals.

Marcelinho Machado destroyed Puerto Rico’s hopes in the first quarter with a 14-points effort, after shooting from 4-5 from the three-point line. Brazil won that quarter 32 – 15. Machado’s performance in contributed to a Brazilian 9-0 rally in the first minutes of that quarter.

Machado continued his merciless shooting in the second quarter, striking the final blow with 7:12 to play in the quarter, with a three-point that put the game 39-21 in favor of the local team. Brazil went to win that quarter, and the first half, 50 – 34.

Team Brazil imposed a consistent offensive attack, always looking for the open men and disrupting Puertp Rico’s efforts at the defensive end.

J.P. Batista was the game’s best with 20 points; followed by Machado with 17, and Marcus Vinicius with 14.
For the Puerto Ricans, Angelo Reyes scored 14 points, Joel Jones 12 and Jose Juan Barea 11.

This is Brazil's third-straight gold medal in the Pan-American Games.

Team Uruguay defeated Argentina in over-time, 99-93, in the game for the bronze medal.
In one moment during the game, the Argentineans were 19 points in front, and their best effort was a 16-0 rally that put them in front, 36-18.

However, Uruguay reacted in the third quarter when they were down, 56-55, with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.

The regulation time ended tied at 81. Uruguay took the overtime by storm, winning it and thus, taking the bronze medal with them.

Fernando Martínez was the best with 24 points. Six players from Uruguay scored more than 10 points.
For the losing team, Diego Logrippo scored 24 for the Argentineans.

Brazil, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Argentina will be active in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada; from August 22 to September 2.

FIBA Americas