Arch rivals Brazil and Argentina will meet in the final of the Men’s 2018 South America Championships.
In a re-run of the final from the Santiago 2014 Para South American Games four years ago, where Argentina defeated Brazil, 55-47, to take gold.
Brazil progressed to this year’s final with relative ease, so far their closest game of the tournament being their opening game against Colombia. In the semi-finals, they defeated Uruguay, 78-36, after storming out to an early lead. Brazil held a comfortable 21-point advantage at halftime, 40-19, allowing their Head Coach Sileno Santos chance to rotate all of his bench giving all players court ahead of the final.
Argentina had a tougher path to the final, matching up with Colombia in the semi-finals. It was evident in a tight opening quarter what was at stake for both teams, with only two points in it at the end of the period, 15-13. Argentina steadied themselves in the second quarter and pushed the advantage out to 11 points at the break, 31-20, to give themselves some breathing space. A high scoring second half ensued, but it was Argentina who were more clinical in offense, winning the second half, 46-37, to take the game, 76-57, and make their way through to the final.
The wins for Argentina and Brazil ensure they have secured their place at next year’s Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.
Colombia and Uruguay will play in the bronze game, the winner of the game also earns the final ticket to Lima 2019.
In the classification games, hosts Peru ended their campaign with a win over Chile, 65 – 53, to take fifth place, and set themselves some good foundations to build on for next year’s games. Whilst Bolivia battled to a 37-28 win over Ecuador to take seventh place.
Results from semi-finals and classification games
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH
13.00 – G17 – 7th – 8th Place – BOL 37 – 28 ECU
15.00 – G18 – SF1 – BRA 78 – 36 URU
17.00 – G19 – SF2 – ARG 76 – 57 COL
19.00 – G20 – 5th – 6th Place – CHI 53 – 65 PER
Final schedule
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH
13.00 – G21 – Bronze Medal – COL v URU
15.00 – G22 – Gold Medal – BRA v ARG
All results and final standings of the preliminary stage.
Watch all the action from the Championships live via Inspira TV Peru
Image courtesy of the Cbbc – Confed Bra De Basquetebol Cadeira De Rodas