COLOMBIA BEGAN WITH THE RIGHT FOOT THE AMERICUP QUALIFIER.

Early in the first quarter Colombia show its intentions to play in the offensive side using the size of Tello and Trocha, the Chileans quickly switched to a zone defense, and it helped them to take the lead in the first quarter, the yellow team lost the focus on both sides allowing Chile to get second chances.
But for the second half looks like Guillermo Moreno pep talk in the loker room was a good one, the team find game rhythm , Atencia got the scoring mood, Ortiz was accurate, Tello and Trocha continued ruling the rebounds and Almanza helped with his athleticism, Chile did not found easy ways to score and the distance began to be closer; with 57 seconds Trocha gave his 8th block of the game and Colombia trailed by one point went to the offensive side with Stalin Ortiz (190-G-81, college: Valpo) handling the ball and the rhythm, Ortiz always a scoring threat found Tonny Trocha-Morelos (208-C-94, college: Texas A&M) in the low post and Trocha scored with a short jumper, to give Colombia the definitive lead 60-59 with 37 seconds left, there were still some drama because Colombia loss the ball in an inbounds situation with 13 seconds left, but Chiles Franco Morales failed the last attempt .

Chile 59 - Sebastian Herrera (193-SF-97) 15 pts; Diego Silva (186-G-93) 13 pts, F.Morales 9pts, I.Carrion 7pts + 11 rebs, G.Isla 7pts, J.Fontena 6pts, S. Suarez 2pts.

Colombia 60 - Juan Palacios (206-F/C-85) 13 pts + 11 rebs; Stalin Ortiz 12 pts+9 rebs; Hansel Atencia (178-PG-97, college: Master's, agency: Players Group) 11pts; Luis Almanza (196-F-91) 9pts; Tonny Trocha-Morelos 7pts + 9 rebs + 8blks; Michael Hinestroza (208-F/C-90, college: UALR) 4pts; Romario Roque (175-PG-99) 2pts; John Hernandez (207-C-84) 2pts.

Colombia will receive Chile in Tunja on Sunday February 23