BRA/ARG – Brazil women ride strong second quarter to title

LOJA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) – Brazil beat Argentina 84-67 on Thursday night to clinch South American Championship for Women title for the 22nd time.

The Brazilians have not lost a game in the last 12 editions of the tournament and will now head to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Madrid with a head full of steam.

“This title is down to all of the work that all players are doing, not only in national team but at their clubs,” said Chuca, who had 20 points for Brazil.

“This is the start of our fight to win a place at the Olympics.

“We are more motivated and we will play even better in Madrid to ensure that Brazil are in Beijing.”

Karla was also influential for Brazil with 23 points.

Eduardo Pinto, the Argentina coach, watched his side take a 19-16 lead by the end of the first quarter but Brazil delivered a knockout punch over the next 10 minutes, outscoring them 27-7.

From that point on, only one team was going to win.

The Brazil coach, Paulo Bassul, was very excited after capturing his first title as the national team boss.

“It was very important for the team to participate in the South American Championship,” he said.

“The team has a good mixture of experienced players and new arrivals who have gained confidence in the international game.

“It is a cast that is aggressive, defends well and plays with a team spirit that few other teams in the world have.”

Carolina Sanchez had 19 points for Argentina while Florencia Fernandez led the team with 23.

Argentina go up against the Czech Republic and Angola in Group B of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament while the Brazilians face Spain and Fiji in Group C.

The top two sides in each group advance to the quarter-finals, and the four winners of those ties clinch a spot in Beijing.

The losers of the quarter-finals then play each other in a mini-tournament to decide the fifth and final team that travels to China.

Brazil have arguably a tougher road to the Far East because they are likely to face FIBA Americas silver medalists Cuba or EuroBasket bronze medal winners Belarus in the quarter-finals.

Should Argentina finish in the top two of their group, they would face Latvia, Senegal or Japan in their quarter-final.

Meanwhile, Chile beat Venezuela in the battle for third place at the South American Championship.

Colombia finished fifth in the event while hosts Ecuador came in sixth.

FIBA