POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Manuel Aponte
Group A
Uruguay U17 - Ecuador U17 99:59
Uruguay welcomed the start of action in Group A of the South American U17 championship. Trinidad cheered up their favorites as Uruguay tipped off their campaign yesterday. They took on Ecuador in the opener. Uruguay finished the 2007 contest at the third spot and entered the home competition hopeful of improving the result.
Uruguay did not waste time to prove the dominance. They shot down Ecuador in the starting frame and cleared off to a safe distance. The hosts reigned under the boards and eased to a 21:8 lead after ten minutes. Ecuador struggled defensively and conceded 36 points in the second half to trail by 29 points at halftime. The margin grew to unassailable 42 points in the third quarter as Uruguay coasted to the victory.
S Tolosa secured 21 points and 8 rebounds for Uruguay. Maximiliano Cervi finished with 15 points, while Alex Alvarez added 11 points for the winners. Ismael Espinoza provided 14 points for Ecuador. Diego Chachapollas posted 12 points in the losing effort.
Uruguay will take on Argentina today. Ecuador will look for the initial win when they play against Paraguay in the second round.
Uruguay U17: S Tolosa 21, Maximiliano Cervi 15, Alex Alvarez 11
Ecuador U17: Ismael Espinoza 14, Diego Chachapollas 12
Argentina U17 - Paraguay U17 89:60
Argentina posted the first win at the U17 South American Championship that tipped off in Uruguay these days. Argentina opened Pool A action with a comfortable win over Paraguay.
Argentina entered the tournament as the defending champions and started to prove the status right from the start.
They held off Paraguay in the first frame to ensure a 22:14 lead after ten minutes. Argentina wisely kept their opponents at bay and enjoyed a 9-point advantage at halftime. The defending champions shifted the gear after the major break and went on a 14:0 run. They cruised to a 20+ advantage midway through the third frame to clear off beyond reach. Argentina never slowed down and finalized a confident opening win at the end.
Joel Comba (198-F-92) provided 18 points and 10 rebounds for Argentina. Patricio Gullota added 17 points, while Carlos Paredes finished with 13 points for the winners. Carlos Luis Vallejos (-92) replied with 15 points for Paraguay. Manuel Aponte (190-G-92) had 11 points in defeat.
Argentina are scheduled to meet with Uruguay. Paraguay will face Ecuador in the second round. Two best teams of each group will make it to the semifinals. Three best teams of the tournament will advance to the Fiba Americas U18 Championship.
Argentina U17: Joel Comba 18, Patricio Gullota 17, Carlos Paredes 13
Paraguay U17: Carlos Luis Vallejos 15, Manuel Aponte 11
Group B
Chile U17-Brazil U17 54:90
Brazil U17 improved to 2-0 record in Group B after the win over Chile. The latter tried hard but lost the second game in the tournament.
It seemed that the game would be a tough one as Chile trailed only 2 points after the end of the opening quarter. An outstanding performance by Emmanuelle Camilo De Jesus Moreno and Franco Morales (179-G-92) kept them in race. Brazil however used an advantage in the second period when they produced 19-9 in the frame. Brazil made a 13-1 run to dominate 38:26 and finish the first quarter up 40:28.
The third period became the most offensive as the teams nailed 45 points together. Brazil grabbed another 25-20 to add to their lead. The Brazilians continued dominating by ending the third quarter up 65:48 and a 9-0 run started the final quarter to seal the victory. Chile managed to score only 6 points in the last period and Brazil produced another 25. The favorites achieved another win to improve to 2-0 record in the group.
Taddei Felipe top-scored for the winners with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Parisotto Icaro netted 12 and Rodrigues Camilo Erick scored 9. Emmanuelle Camilo De Jesus Moreno responded with 17 points in defeat, while Franco Morales added 15.
Chile U17: Emmanuelle Camilo De Jesus Moreno 17 points, Franco Morales 15
Brazil U17: Taddei Felipe 25+7 rebounds, Parisotto Icaro 12, Rodrigues Camilo Erick 9
Venezuela U17-Bolivia U17 76:65
Venezuela achieved the second victory at South American U17 Championship as they rolled over Bolivia in Day 2. The latter is back to the South American U17 Championship however had to admit 76:65 loss.
The opener of Day 2 saw a really good clash between Venezuela and Bolivia. Manuel Cuevas gave Bolivia a 9-7 advantage, but Venezuela reacted with a 7-0 run. In the first two periods Bolivia managed to score 14 points in each, while Venezuela scored 20 and 19 respectively.
The game became tougher in the second half as Bolivia started to struggle more. In the third period led by Tola Rios Mauricio Rodrigo and Ramos Campos Gabriel Rodrigo the team played even basketball with the opponents. A 16-16 in the frame gave them a chance for the last quarter, where however they tied the margin again only in the period. With 21-21 the teams ended up the final stanza that left Venezuela in front, 76:65.
Israel de Jesus led the winners with 13 points for the second straight win. Abrouse Acosta, Jose Silvera and Leonardo Betancourt finished the night with 9 points each. Mauricio Rodrigo Tola Rios poured in 17 points for Bolivia and Gabriel Ramos scored 15.
Venezuela U17: Israel de Jesus 13, Abrouse Acosta 9, Jose Silvera 9, Leonardo Betancourt 9
Bolivia U17: Mauricio Rodrigo Tola Rios 17 points, Gabriel Ramos 15
