POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Hansel Atencia
Group A
Ecuador - Colombia 56-76
Colombia registered the third victory in Group A of the U17 South American Championship. They overcame Ecuador to secure the second position in the ladder. Colombia will now take on Argentina in the semifinal round. Ecuador will play versus Peru in the classification game. Colombia posted a 20:14 lead after ten minutes. They stretched the gap in the second frame. Colombia enjoyed a 42:27 halftime advantage. Ecuador narrowed the deficit in the third term. They got within 8 points at the final intermission. But Colombia sank 21 points in the fourth frame to seal the winning outcome. Andre Ibarguen (96) posted 18 points and 17 rebounds for Colombia. Hansel Atencia (182-G-97) added 15 points in the win. Alexander Guerra (96) answered with 15 points and 11 boards for Ecuador. Erick Cobena dropped 12 points in the loss.
Bolivia - Brazil 32-111
Brazil clinched the top position in Group A of the U17 South American Championship. They claimed the fourth straight win and set up the clash versus Uruguay in the semifinal round. Bolivia on the other hand suffered the fourth consecutive loss and finished 9th at the tournament. Brazil got to a flying start. They unloaded 32 points in the opening quarter taking a 30-point lead. Brazil added 28 points in the second quarter to ensure a 60:13 halftime advantage. The game remained lop-sided after the big break. Brazil eased to the victory in the second half. Tulio Da Silva (195-F/C-96) finished with 17 points for Brazil. Lucas de Souza (197-F-85) added 15 points, while Wesley da Silva had 14 points for the winners. Axel Veizaga (96) responded with 8 points for Bolivia. Juan Zegarra produced 6 points in the loss.
Group B
Peru - Uruguay 51-83
Uruguay completed the semifinal picture at the U17 South American Championship. The hosts knocked down Peru on the final day of the preliminary round to set up the clash versus Brazil. Uruguay earned a 15:9 lead after ten minutes. The hosts stretched the gap in the second quarter. Uruguay enjoyed a 34:23 halftime lead. They unleashed 21 points in the third term and recorded a 15-point buffer before the final stanza. Uruguay added 28 points in the fourth frame and cruised to the victory. Facundo Grolla (193-C-97) notched 21 points to lead the winners. Martin Counago (186-PG-97) added 19 points for the hosts. Rodrigo Cruz (97) answered with 13 points for Peru. Bruno Sambucetti chipped in 10 points in the loss.
Paraguay - Argentina 57-121
Argentina earned the third consecutive win at the U17 South American Championship. They knocked down Paraguay to clinch the top position in Group B. Carlos Buemo (193-G/F-96) nailed 21 points to lead the winners. Argentina will now take on Colombia in the semis. Argentina set the tone early in the game. They unleashed 30 points in the opening quarter to gain a 17-point lead. Argentina remained red hot in the second frame. They dropped 28 points in the period and ensured a 58:36 halftime lead. Argentina exploded with 34 points in the third period to ensure a massive 45-point lead at the final intermission. They never looked back cruising to the victory. Mateo Marziali (194-G/F-96) finished with 19 points, while Lucio Delfino added 17 points for the winning side. Ricardo Marecos (96) and Angel Trinidad (96) answered with 13 points each for Paraguay.
