BRA/PUR - Good show by Brazil in front of their fans:

CUIABÁ (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) – Brazil defeated Puerto Rico 78-34 to begin the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Women with a win in front of over 6,000 fans at Aecim Tocantins Gym.

Adrianinha Pinto led Brazil with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 29 minutes. Alessandra Santos helped with 10 points along with 10 rebounds.

Puerto Rico had a quick 3-2 lead after a three pointer by center Esmary Vargas but Brazil, led by Adrianinha with her perfect shooting from three point range took the advantage and finished the first quarter up 22-10. Adrianinha had 9 points by shooting 3-3 from three and for Puerto Rico Vargas had 5.

Pinto kept a fast Brazilian attack as they pulled away and took a 43-18 halftime lead. Pinto had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Karen Gustavo 8 for the hosts.

The Puerto Ricans could not match the intensity and physical power of the Brazilians in the paint to fall by a large margin. Puerto Rico shot 13-56 from the field (23%), including 2-14 from three and 6-9 from the free throw line. The Caribbean team also made 21 turnovers and only 4 assists.

Cindy Valentin had 14 points and Esmary Vargas 7 for Puerto Rico. The Puerto Ricans played without Leslie De Jesus who suffered a lower back injury during their last practice yesterday.

Luis Modestti
FIBA Americas