BELEM (Brazil) - The United States and Canada, both with a record of three wins without setbacks, culminated as undefeated leaders of the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2019, which takes place at the Arena Guilherme Paraense de Belém, Brazil.

Both North American squads celebrated on the last day of the Group Phase, while Uruguay surprised Brazil and Argentina also added its first conquest of the tournament.

 
In the first commitment of the day, the United States ratified its tremendous level and secured the first place of Group A with a 3-0 record, after defeating the Dominican Republic with a score of 122-71.

 
The North Americans dominated in all facets of the duel, but on this day, they were especially effective in attack, especially from the long distance, with 52 percent from the field (90-47), including 39-22 in three-point land. With such effectiveness, it was impossible for the Dominicans to stay close, despite the fact that in the first 15 minutes of the match they were fighting as equals with their opponent.

Comac Christie led the score with 24 points, shooting eight three-pointers in 10 attempts. Amari Bailey followed with 18 tallies and 6-4 from long distance. In total there were seven American players who finished with more than 10 points.

For the Dominican Republic (2-1), which was left with the second spot of the group, again had Jean Montero excelling with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Breylin Garcia added 14 points.

In the other Group A game, Mexico and Argentina faced each other for the third place and the South Americans took the best part after winning 84-75.

The Argentines (1-2) relied on 11 three-pointers and capitalized the 21 losses of the Aztecs to draw differences; nevertheless, in the third quarter, Mexico improved in defense and took advantage of the second opportunities to go ahead by 56-55 with a three-pointer from Bryan Ceballos. But Argentina closed that third quarter with an 11-2 run, thanks to three three-pointers, to enter the fourth period with the scoreboard 66-58 in their favor.

Mexico (0-3) kept trying but lacked more accuracy in their shots. Caffaro and Francisco Conrradi led the score for Argentina with 15 points each. Ceballos, with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Yahir Bonilla with 18 points, 21 boards, and six assists, did the same for Mexico.

In Group B action, Canada continued its good performance and defeated Puerto Rico, 96-76, to be the first place of the key with a 3-0 mark.

 
The Canadians were incisive in defense (they stole 13 balls), moved the ball (28 assists) and ran the court effectively (40 points in counterattack) to control the game.

DJ Jackson with 22 points and four three-pointers, led the Canadians offense, while Caleb Houstan and Shaedon Sharpe added 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Puerto Rico won the last quarter with a 30-17 quarter, but the disadvantage was too wide to think of a comeback. Jesús Sierra with 14 points and Jeremy Figueroa with 12, were the best scorers.

In the last day of the game, Uruguay surprised and celebrated against the hosts, 55-68.

The first half of the match was tied 26-26 but Uruguay started the third period with an 18-0 run to go ahead 44-26 with 5:10 minutes to play in the quarter. That run ended up being definitive.

The good moment of the Uruguayans coincided with the offensive awakening of the forward Agustín Ubal, that in that third section scored 18 of the team’s 24 points. In fact, in the first half, he had only managed to score a field goal.

Joaquin Rodriguez also sported 20 points, including a three-pointer with 44 seconds left, which opened the gap to 15 (68-53) and allowed his team to climb to second place in the group.

For Brazil, Rodolfo Bolis contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds and Tiago Faria added 14.

With the conclusion of the Group Phase, the FIBA U16 Americas Championship 2019 Quarter-Finals will be:

 
Canada vs Mexico
United States vs. Puerto Rico
Uruguay vs. Argentina
Dominican Republic vs Brazil

The winners will qualify to the Semi-Finals and secure a ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2020.

FIBA