SANTIAGO (Chile) – Colombia secured fifth place once again at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. For the fourth consecutive time, the Colombian squad finished among the top five in the tournament after defeating Puerto Rico 76-65 at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos in Santiago. Colombian center Yuliany Paz climbed to the number one spot in blocks in the modern era thanks to her two on Sunday. She now has 34 career blocks— the highest mark since the 2003 edition. Brazil’s Kamilla Cardoso is currently second on the list with 32 blocks. However, the center will play on Sunday night in the Final against the United States. Paz also led all scorers in the game with 18 points and added seven rebounds. “I didn’t know about the record because you don’t really pay attention to those things, but I’m super happy and proud to have achieved it,” said the 25-year-old post player, who was playing in her fourth AmeriCup. Her teammate Manuela Ríos also stood out in the Chilean capital and came just one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 10 assists, and 9 boards. The point guard also had two steals in 29 minutes. Forward Mabel Martínez contributed a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The South Americans (4-3) also avenged their loss to Puerto Rico in the opening game. The all-time series between the two teams in the tournament now stands at 4–2 in favor of the Boricuas. For Puerto Rico (4-3), Pamela Rosado reached 44 games played at the Women’s AmeriCup, becoming the all-time leader in that category in the modern era (since 2003). The veteran guard posted 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Trinity San Antonio followed with 13 points, while Mya Hollingshed and Tayra Meléndez each added 11.
Mexico finishes in seventh place
Mariana Valenzuela posted the highest single-game rebound total of the tournament with 17 and also recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points. The center’s performance helped Mexico (2-5) cruise past the Dominican Republic 84-54.
The 22-year-old, in just 20 minutes of action, also knocked down 2 three-pointers, dished out two assists, and had one block. Anisa Jeffries added a double-double of her own with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Gabriela Jáquez chipped in with 15 points and 8 boards. Mexico also set a couple of team records in the game. The team’s 27 assists marked a new national high at the AmeriCup, surpassing the 20 they recorded in both 2013 and 2023, while their 11 made three-pointers tied the mark set in 2011. For the Dominican Republic (1-6), Cesarina Capellán finished with 15 points and 3 steals. Yirsy Queliz and Anyi Hodge each added 8 points.
FIBA