BARRANQUILLA (Colombia) – Colombia and Brazil were victorious once again this Wednesday's gameday and ended the group phase undefeated, while Ecuador overcame Paraguay to take the last semi-finals spot for the FIBA South American U17 Women’s Championship that's taking place in Barranquilla.

The semi-finals will be held this Friday with duels between Argentina and Brazil (starting at 6:00 PM, local game time) and Colombia against Ecuador (8:00 PM).

The Colombian side (3-0) overcame Argentina (2-1) this Wednesday, 44-30, and ended at the top of Group B with a perfect record.

The hosts relied on an outstanding second quarter where they established a 21-2 streak before going on to the half time with the scoreboard on their favor, 31-10. The distance was unsurmountable for the Argentines who, although they improved in the second part of the game, couldn’t really put their rivals in a tough spot.

Daniela González was unstoppable for the Colombians, producing 32 points, with three triples and 11 rebounds. Milagros Maza and Génesis Toledano led Argentina with 11 points each.

Despite losing, the Argentines had already secured their attendance at the best-four round with their win the day before against Uruguay.

Brazil (3-0) also reassured their supremacy in Group A and ended undefeated after evidently overcoming Venezuela (0-3), 76-36.

The Venezuelan squad stood their ground in the first quarter after ending losing it by just three points (16-13), but in the following periods, Brazil imposed their physical strength and controlled all aspects. The maroon-colored jerseys lost a total of 37 possessions that cost them 40 points.

Isabella Moreira, with 17 points (five three-pointers) and Maisa Pereira, with 14, nine rebounds, six steals, and five assists were the most outstanding for the Amazonian team. For Venezuela, Julieth Sivira contributed 13 points.

Meanwhile, Ecuador (2-1) in a hard-fought game, defeated Paraguay 56-54 and secured the second place in Group A and the last ticket to the semis.

A three-point shot by Alison Barreno when there were 1:04 minutes left on the clock made the definitive score and gave back the advantage to the Ecuadorians, who witnessed how their difference went up in flames as María Marín brought Paraguay to the front at 54-53 for an instance with a free throw 2:50 minutes left before the close.

The Ecuadorians arrived at the fourth period dominating the actions 46-34 and it seemed that they were controlling the match, but Paraguay didn’t lower their chins and continued to score until they moved to the front. However, in the last two minutes, they couldn't manage to score any more points and ended up yielding the way.

Samy Bacilo, with 17 points, and Génesis Zabaleta, with 15 and 10 rebounds, shone for Ecuador. Barreno, who scored the decisive three-pointer, only played five minutes and those were her only points.

For the Paraguayans, Marín contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds, followed by Manuela Ramírez, with 14 more points.

Uruguay (1-2) took the third place in Group B after defeating Chile (0-3) with a 57-50 final score.

The Uruguayans relied on Camila's Kirshenbaum's great performance of 25 points, five three-pointers, and 13 rebounds; as well as in Maite Pereira's, who added 17 points.

A 31-19 third period was decisive Uruguay, who entered the last act in the lead, 53-37. This difference allowed them to endure the reaction from the Chileans, who in the fourth quarter built a 9-0 lead and brought themselves closer, 46-53 with less than five minutes left until the end, but a two-pointer by Kirshenbaum gave a breath of fresh air to the Uruguayans. Chile was only able to achieve four more points in the last four minutes.

Javiera Campos and Laura Pérez were the best scorers for the Uruguayans, with 14 points each.

On Friday's match, Uruguay will play against Paraguay (4:00 PM) and Chile will face Venezuela (2:00 PM).

FIBA