SANTIAGO (Chile) - Brazil was crowned champion of the South American U17 Championship 2019 after defeating Argentina in a very exciting duel 98-97.

The Brazilian team won the gold medal of the U17 championship for the third time, after the titles reached in 1998 and 2011.

Guilherme Carvalho led the attack for Brazil with 27 points, while Marcio Santos added 23 points with 11 rebounds. Santos was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player after averaging 15.5 points and 9.8 rebounds during the tournament.

The game maintained constant parity, but Brazil began to take the reins of the game with a 7-0 run with 2:18 left. Then, Santos stole the ball and completed a three-point play to take a 97-90 lead on the scoreboard with 38 seconds left.

Argentina kept fighting and scored a three-pointers from the hands of Pedro Rossi, but time expired and the Brazilian team celebrated the victory and the title.

Uruguay claimed the South American U17 Championship 2019 Bronze Medal after defeating Ecuador 77-73.

The Charrúas relied on the colossal performance of Agustín Ubal, who contributed 41 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.

Ecuador surprised in the first half with its speed and offense in transition, to go to half-time with the advantage 47-41, but in the third quarter, Uruguay made the adjustments and went to the front of the scoreboard 64-59. In the last quarter, both teams were inaccurate and parity remained until with 15 seconds left, Santiago Corbo stole the ball and assisted his teammate Facundo Villalba, who scored the final basket (77-73), with only three seconds on the clock

Final Positions:
1. Brazil *
2. Argentina *
3. Uruguay *
4. Ecuador
5. Venezuela
6. Chile
7. Colombia
* Qualified to the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2020.

FIBA