LEÓN (Mexico) - Trinidad and Tobago along with Venezuela went on a scorching run in Qualifying Draw, going unbeaten on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup on November 27.
TEAMS
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (Men)
Trinidad and Tobago stood out on Day 1, catching fire from deep through the dynamic duo of Ahkeel Jalanie Boyd and Ahkeem Jabarie Boyd. Both combined for 8 two-pointers and 17 points in their opener to lead them to a 21 - 7 start against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
They carried the momentum forward in a marquee matchup against Uruguay. The duo went off yet again, combining for 15 points in a 21 - 18 win, securing their place into the pool stage with a perfect showing in QD action.
Ecuador and Jamaica also sealed their place in the Main Draw. Ecuador pulled off late heroics to showcase their mettle while Jamaica ran rampant in another unbeaten display.
VENEZUELA (Women)
Venezuela were the only women’s side to go unbeaten on the day. They came away with a nervy 15 - 14 win against Ecuador in their opener, led by an 8-point effort from Barbara Pico. They followed it up with another thrilling result, an 18 - 17 victory this time against Uruguay.
They closed out QD action with an 18 - 12 win over Paraguay, booking their spot into the pool phase in dominant fashion.
Paraguay was the other team to earn their spot into pool phase, defeating Uruguay and Ecuador to do so.
PLAYERS
ADRIANO BARRERAS (Ecuador)
Ecuador went through some battles on their way to the pool phase spot, and Adriano Barreras was at the forefront of their effort.
He put up 10 points in a nail-biting victory against Venezuela. He followed up one mammoth scoring game with another, this time coming in clutch-er than ever. In an Overtime 18 - 17 win over Paraguay, he put up 11 points including the game-winning bucket to cement Ecuador’s place into Day 2 action.
Ecuador made waves in QD and they’ll rely on scoring machine Barreras to carry the momentum into the pool games.
BARBARA PICO (Venezuela)
Pico was the offensive hub for Venezuela as they went 3-0 in QD play.
In their opening 15 - 14 thriller against Ecuador, she put up a team-high 8 points before following it up with a joint-high 6 points in an 18 - 17 win over Uruguay. She led the way in their closing game as well, this time with 7 points as they defeated Paraguay for a perfect display.
Pico was at the helm of their dominant run and will look to keep the show rolling heading into pool action.
DAY 2
The action gets going in full swing on Day 2 with the commencing of pool play. Who’ll earn their place into the knockout rounds? Tune in LIVE to the action through the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.