POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
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.
