Brazil recovers from starting loss, wins Tuto Marchand Cup
Brazil - Canada 74:61
Brazil triumphed in this year's Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup in Puerto Rico. They defeated previously unbeaten Canada in the last round action to top the final ladder. Canada entered the game without two key performers as Canadian coach decided to sideline Samuel Dalembert (211-C-81, college: Seton Hall) and Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii). Brazil fully used the absence of these two and celebrated a comprehensive victory.
Canada though looked better at the start of the game as they established an early lead 15:13. But Brazil responded with a stunning 24:13 blow in the second frame to lead 37:28 at halftime. Brazil continued their dominance after the break as solid shooting enabled them to enlarge the gap to 58:45 entering the fourth frame. Canada managed to slow down Brazil in the fourth term but could not gain enough speed to surge ahead. Latin American players wisely secured a winning result and celebrated the victory in Puerto Rico.
Marcus Vinicius (207-F-84) led Brazil with 14 points. Marcelinho Machado (200-F/G-75, agency: Interperformances) and Joa Lopes contributed 12 points apiece for the winners. Olu Famutimi (197-G-84, college: Arkansas) and Andy Rautins (196-G-86) scored 13 points each for Canada. Juan Mendez (202-F-81, college: Niagara) added 10 points and 11 boards in defeat.
Brazil knocked down 43% from the field and 71% from free throw line. Canada answered with 34% of field goals and 63% from charity stripe. North Americans dominated the boards 41:34 but committed 21 turnovers.

Brazil: Marcus Vinicius 14, Marcelinho Machado 12, Joa Lopes 12
Canada: Olu Famutimi 13, Andy Rautins 13, Juan Mendez 10+11 boards

Puerto Rico - Argentina 89:90
Puerto Rico was close to their first win at the Tuto Marchand Cup but could not convert at the dying stage of the encounter against Argentina. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) and Paolo Quinteros (185-G-79) led well-balanced Argetninean offense to a narrow victory in this battle. Argentina posted a erfect 31:22 first frame but Puerto Rican players managed to cut the deficit to only 39:43 at halftime. Argentina extended the gap by 2 points in the third stanza but the hosts ignited an impressive comeback effort in the final term but fell just short of the positive result.

Canada is undefeated after Day 2 at Tuto Marchand Cup
Canada - Argentina 84:78
Canadian team occupied the top spot at the Marchand Cup Continental Championship Cup after two rounds of action. Yesterday they continued their winning streak edging Argentina 84:78. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) burst out with 30 points on a 4/7 shooting from beyond the arc to fuel Canadian team to another win at the tournament.
The teams started the game closely enough and finished the first frame all square 25:25. Canadian players bombarded the basket from the outside in the second quarter and secured a 39:38 lead at halftime. North American team surged ahead in the third stanza. They opened the term with a 9:0 run and later added another 9:0 rally to clear off to a 61:47 distance into the fourth quarter. Argentina though did not surrender and tied the scoreline at 75 with just over one minute to go in the game. But Jermaine Anderson and Andy Rautins (196-G-86) ignited a 9:3 for Canada to seal a positive result in the end.
Andy Rautins provided 12 points for Canada. Olu Famutimi (197-G-84, college: Arkansas) added 11 points for the winners. Paolo Quinteros (185-G-79) amswered with 16 points for Argentina. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) and Carlos Delfino (199-G-82) had 15 points apiece in a loss.
Canada shot 53% from the field and 83% from charity stripe. Argentina converted just 39% of field goals and 72% from free throw line. Canadian players also outrebounded their counterparts 29:25, committing 28 turnovers at the same time.

Canada: Carl English 30, Andy Rautins 12, Olu Famutimi 11
Argentina: Paolo Quinteros 16, Luis Scola 15, Carlos Delfino 15


Brazil - Puerto Rico 79:67
Brazilian National team celebrated their first win at the Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup in Puerto Rico today. They defeated Puerto Rico to handed them the hosts second consecutive loss at the start of the competition. This time Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) became the main force for Brazilian offense as he nailed 24 points to lead his side.
Brazil got to a better start to the game as they established an early 20:14 lead after the first frame. Puerto Rico struggled to match the pace and fell behind 10 points in the second quarter 27:41. But the home side revived after the break. Carlos Arroyo sparked their comeback effort, which resulted in a 25:13 third term as Puerto Rico cut the deficit to 52:54 entering the final frame. But Brazil did not let the win slip away.

Tuto Marchand Cup tips off in Puerto Rico
Canada - Puerto Rico 65:63 (OT)
Canadian team got to a perfect start at the Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup in Puerto Rico. They edged the home side in overtime to post the first win. Puerto Rico dominated the first half and rolled to a 29:23 lead at halftime. The things got even worse for Canadian team as Puerto Rico extended the gap to 47:38 after three quarters. However it was the end of the contest yet. Samuel Dalembert (211-C-81, college: Seton Hall) fueled Canadian comeback rally as North American team recorded a 7:0 run to cut the deficit to 4 points. Dalembert dunked the ball home to narrow the gap to only 3 points with under two minutes to go. The teams exchanged missed shots before Jermaine Anderson (185-G-83) connected from beyond the arc with 3 seconds left in regulation and forced overtime.
The game was rough and nervous in extra time and the teams were tied at 63 with less than a minute to go. But once again Samuel Dalembert stepped up to change things for Canada. He nailed a jumper to give Canada a 65:63 lead with 41 seconds remaining. Puerto Rico never managed to reply and suffered their first defeat at the tournament.
Samuel Dalembert led Canada with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jermaine Anderson and Levon Kendall (208-F-84, college: Pittsburgh) provided 11 points apiece for the winners. Larry Ayuso (190-G-77, agency: Edge Sports, college: USC) chipped in game-high 18 points for Puerto Rico. Angelo Reyes (205-F/C-81) secured 12 points and 14 boards in defeat.
Canada will next face Argentina, while Puerto Rico will try to rebound against Brazil.

Canada: Samuel Dalembert 13+13 boards, Jermaine Anderson 11, Levon Kendall 11
Puerto Rico: Larry Ayuso 18, Angelo Reyes 12+14 boards

Brazil - Argentina 67:75
Brazilian team had somehow a bitter start at the Tuto Marchand Continental Championship Cup in Puerto Rico. They were canned by Argentinean squad 67:75 in the opener.
The teams packed with overseas stars got off to a slow start and kept it close in the first frame. Argentina managed to outscore their Brazilian opponents 14:12. The tempo did not change in the second quarter as both teams tried to stay on a safe side. Argentina remained ahead 26:24 at halftime. However Argentina finally spurred in front in the third stanza and surprised Brazil. Paolo Quinteros (185-G-79) connected from outside and Andres Nocioni (199-F-79), Carlos Delfino (199-G-82) and Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) (Argentina); Nene Hilario (207-C-82), Anderson Varejao (205-C-82) and Leandro Barbosa (190-G-82) (Brazil); Jamaal Magloire (208-F/C-78, college: Kentucky), Samuel Dalembert (211-C-81, college: Seton Hall) and Steve Nash (190-G-74, college: Santa Clara) (Canada); Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, college: Florida Intern.) and Jose Juan Barea (181-G-84, college: Northeastern) (Puerto Rico) will play in the tournament.

August 16
6:00 pm: Argentina Vs Brazil
8:30 pm: Puerto Rico Vs Canada

August 17
6:00 pm: Canada Vs Argentina
8:30 pm: Brazil Vs Puerto rico

August 18
6:00 pm: Canada Vs Brazil
8:30 pm: Puerto Rico Vs Argentina

   Tuto Marchand Cup - Jul. 19, 2007 
Argentinean National Team will be participating in the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup August 16-18 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico will play at Jose Miguel Argelot.
This cup's first edition honoring Pureto Rican Jenaro Marchand 'Tuto' who is currently FIBA Americas Secretary General Emeritus and also member of FIBACentral Bureau.