BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2017) - Colombia still have a vivid memory of their third-place victory against Venezuela in last year’s South American Championship in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

It was a great introduction before the current FIBA AmeriCup 2017. After the defeat in their debut against Brasil, their first victory arrived today with a 70-63 game against the Virgin Islands. With it, their eagerness to enter the Quarter-Finals began to grow; and why not, their intention of winning their pass to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain.

"I'm convinced that we can fight our way to the semi-finals and reach the first three teams to go to the World Cup. We have the necessary mindset and the best preconditions to make it," assured the 6ft 5in power forward Tathiana Mosquera, who contributed with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 passes. She was one of the team’s four players with double-digit points: Martínez and Muñoz made 13; and Asprilla, 12.

At first, it was an easy game for Colombia. At one point, they were 28 points ahead (47-19), but the opposing team's defense's pressure and their blocking intensity allowed the Virgin Islands to close the advantage to three points in the last quarter.

"In the third quarter we went out a bit over-confidently and everything began to cost us more effort. They closed the gap and fought until the very end," Mosquera explained.

She indicate where the difference lied between the game against Brasil and Tuesday's one.

"I believe that yesterday we gave in, so to speak. We gave up at the end because we failed to believe in our talent. And in today's game we knew how to profit from the height and competitive advantages that we have," the 27-year-old reasoned. "I think that's the best that this team has. But, in order to evolve, we need more consistency and focus in every game.”

Although she is content with the bronze medal achieved at the South American, Mosquera isn’t completely satisfied and wants more: “Last year, we were disappointed because we could have reached the Finals [they lost at Semi-Finals against Venezuela], but at this tournament, we have the chance to go to the World Cup, which is our dream,” she assured. The Colombian squad have only played one World Cup. They were hosts in 1975 and lost the six games they played in the final round.

Tomorrow, at 21:05 (Buenos Aires time), Colombia will face off none other than hosts Argentina. Will they be able to reach the same success as in 2016?

"It's a complicated rival, but I'll tell you this: everything's decided on the court," Mosqueda offered.

FIBA