MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – The FIBA AmeriCup 2025 playoffs are finally here. The quarter-finals tip off on Thursday with a pair of undefeated countries (Canada and Dominican Republic) looking like the favorites to win their first AmeriCup gold medal. However, several more accomplished squads await, with Argentina trying to retain its 2022 title and Brazil, United States, and Puerto Rico looking to win it all. These are the matchups:
Canada vs. Colombia
Favorite
Canada swept its group stage games behind a potent offense that featured the highest field goal percentage (52.9) and three-point percentage (42.3). The team’s 89.7 points per game are the second-best mark in the tournament, and they have five different players scoring in double digits, led by Kyshawn George (14.7). The North Americans also feature, by far, the best defense, allowing only 58.7 points per game. That gave them a dominant point differential of 31 points per game.
Underdog
In only their third time playing at AmeriCup, Colombia reached the quarter-finals and secured a top eight finish for the first time, meaning they’re playing with house money the rest of the way. The South Americans led the group stage with 10.7 steals per game and came shockingly close to upsetting Argentina in Group C. Forward Braian Angola was No. 4 in efficiency (21.7) and No. 5 in scoring (19.7 points per game) in the first round.
Previous meettings
Canada is 2-0 in the head-to-head after a narrow 62-61 victory in the 2022 AmeriCup. The North Americans also beat Colombia 107-79 at the 1982 World Championship.
Puerto Rico vs. Argentina
Favorite
Although both teams finished with 2-1 records in the Group Stage, Puerto Rico’s point differential doubled Argentina’s (52 vs. 24). The Boricuas lost a close game to Canada in the last game of Group B but otherwise looked sharp, with three different players averaging 15.3 points per game (José Alvarado, Gian Clavell, and Ismael Romero). Romero and George Conditt IV were also No. 3 and No. 5 in efficiency, respectively.
Underdog
After a strong win over Nicaragua, Argentina alternated between highs and lows in their games against Dominican Republic and Colombia. They were No. 5 in both offense (87 points per game) and defense (79). Gonzalo Corbalán (17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) and Juan Fernández (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) were both among the best players of the group stage, and Pablo Prigioni will lean heavily on them to keep the hope alive of retaining the crown.
Previous meetings
Argentina has a 16-12 edge against Puerto Rico, having won 14 of their last 17 matchups, including four of the last five and the most recent one, a 99-86 victory in the group stage of the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup.
Dominican Republic vs. Brazil
Favorite
Dominican Republic was one of two undefeated teams in the Group Stage, and they did it behind the No. 3 defense in the tournament (allowing just 70.7 points per game). Nestor García’s squad won’t have David Jones-García, who was No. 2 in efficiency (23.5) and No. 4 in scoring (21 points per game), but Joel Soriano has emerged as a defensive force, leading the event in blocks (4.0 per game). Meanwhile, Andrés Feliz is No. 2 in assists (8.7), and combo guard Jean Montero looks fully recovered from his wrist injury.
Underdog
Brazil finished third in Group A due to point differential, but they’re far from an underdog. The defense has held strong and point guards Yago Santos and Alexey Borges are combining for 10 assists per game. Bruno Caboclo (13 points and 6.3 rebounds) in just 24.4 minutes per game has been his usual self, while the shooters have been burning the nets from long range (40.2 on three-pointers).
Previous meetings
Brazil (11-2) dominates the head-to-head and has won the last five contests, including an 80-65 victory in the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup Quarter-Finals. The last Dominican win was in September of 2011.
United States vs. Uruguay
Favorite
United States recovered on Tuesday to win Group A with a strong victory over Brazil. The team’s offense was No. 1 (93.3 points per game), a testament to their ball movement (No. 1 in assists at 25 per game). They have four double-digit scorers, led by veteran guard Langston Galloway (15.3) and big man Zach Auguste (14 points and 6 rebounds). Jerian Grant is No. 7 in assists (5.7 per game).
Underdog
Uruguay has the No. 4 offense (87.3 points per game) thanks to the explosive backcourt of Joaquín Rodríguez (17 points per game) and Bruno Fitipaldo (16), who are No. 7 and No. 9, respectively, in scoring. The 34-year-old Fitipaldo also leads the event in assists (9 per game), while shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Previous meetings
United States won 18 of the 20 matchups between these countries, but the most recent one was not ideal. Uruguay upset them, 86-85, earlier in the tournament and will look to get a streak going against the North American giants.
FIBA