POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Juan Arengo
SEMIFINALS
Argentina - Colombia 89-70
Argentina advanced into the Final of the U17 South American Championship. They outgunned Colombia in the first semifinal at the tournament yesterday. Six players scored in double figures for Argentina. Juan Arengo (190-G/F-96) nailed 18 points to lead the charge. Argentina scored 23 points in the opening quarter to ensure a 6-point lead. They stretched the gap in the second term. Argentina built a 44:35 halftime advantage. Argentina stayed aggressive offensively in the third term. They registered a 68:58 lead into the fourth frame. Colombia managed just 12 points in the fourth frame and could not rescue the battle. Jose Vildoza (190-G-96) posted 15 points and 9 assists for the winners. Martin Gomez had 13 points for Argentina. Hansel Atencia (182-G-97) answered with 22 points, 7 assists and 5 boards for Colombia. Juan Fajardo chipped in 12 points in the loss.
Brazil - Uruguay 71-84
Uruguay will play in the championship game of the U17 South American Championship. The hosts stunned top favourites Brazil to punch ticket into the title game. Octavio Medina (F-96) nailed 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the winners. Brazil and Uruguay exchanged baskets throughout intense first quarter. The scoreboard read 19:19 after ten minutes. Brazil pulled ahead in the second frame. They snatched a 31:28 halftime lead. But Uruguay picked up the tempo in the third term. The hosts exploded with 31 points to secure a 7-point advantage before the fourth frame. Uruguay added 25 points in the final term and raced to the victory. Martin Counago (186-PG-97) chipped in 24 points, while Juan Galletto had 18 points for the winners. Wesley da Silva (208-C-96) answered with 18 points for Brazil. Junior Duval netted 15 points in the loss.
5-8 Place
Peru - Ecuador 51-70
Ecuador registered victory at the U17 South American Championship. They held off Peru to set up the clash versus Venezuela for the 5th overall position at the tournament. Alexander Guerra (96) posted 19 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge. Ecuador held their opponents to 9 points in the first quarter and gained a 7-point lead. Peru narrowed the deficit in the second frame. They got within 4 points at the interval 24:28. But Ecuador stepped up in the third term. They nailed 26 points to open a 15-point lead at the final intermission. Ecuador held Peru to 12 points in the fourth frame and sealed the winning outcome. Paolo Tamayo (96) knocked down 13 points, while Joel Quinonez had 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Renzo Yanez (97) answered with 17 points for Peru. Hernen Goicochea netted 11 points in the loss.
Venezuela - Paraguay 111-61
Venezuela will play for the fifth place at the U17 South American Championship. They knocked down Paraguay in the classification round game yesterday. Jose Sojo (96) stepped up with 25 points and 10 rebounds to pace the winners. Venezuela unloaded 26 points in the opening ten minutes to take a 3-point lead. They added 30 points in the second quarter to ensure a 56:43 halftime lead. Venezuala kept Paraguay at distance throughout the third term. They registered a 28-point buffer heading into the fourth frame. Venezuela went on a 30:8 run in the final period to seal the win. Angel Blanco (97) and Diego Martinez (96) had 14 points each for the winners. Elias Leguizamon (G) answered with 21 points for Paraguay. Ricardo Marecos had 9 points in the loss.
