Brazil and Venezuela advance into Final in Asuncion

SEMIFINALS

Brazil - Paraguay 61-39
Brazil eased past Paraguay to reach the Final at the South American championship. Raphaella Marciano (183-F/C-99) connected for 22 points and 8 rebounds to lead the winners. Brazil accounted for a 31:15 halftime lead. Paraguay narrowed the gap 12-point mark at the final intermission. However Brazil triggered a 17:7 run in the fourth term and sealed the win. Obalunanma De Angelo (181-F) had 10 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. Natalia Quevedo (170-F-98) and Adela Cardenas (99) netted 8 points each for Paraguay.

Argentina - Venezuela 40-66
Venezuela cruised past Argentina to advance into the championship game. Aguehil Fajardo notched 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Venezuela stunned Argentina with a 40:13 first half run. Argentina slowed their opponents down in the second half but could not avoid the defeat. Josberly Torres (169-SF) and Luisanny Zapata (165-SG) posted 11 points each in the win. Malena Velasco (170-SF-99) replied with 11 points for Argentina.

5-8 Place

Peru - Uruguay 56-44
Peru held off Uruguay in the classification round. Milagros Carrera (00) posted 18 points and 7 rebounds to lead the winning side. Peru accumulated a 27:19 halftime lead. Peru held their opponents to just 25 points in the second half and rallied to the victory. Lucia Guerrero (1) notched 8 points in the win. Lucia Schiavo (98) answered with 12 points and 9 rebounds for Uruguay.

Ecuador - Chile 64-58
Ecuador held off Chile to play for the fifth place at the tournament. Ana Mora posted 20 points to lead the winners. Chile accounted for a 32:29 halftime lead. Ecuador spurred ahead for a 2-point lead at the final intermission. Ecuador limited Chile to just 10 points in the fourth term and raced to the victory. Fabiana Limongi (169-G) had 13 points for the winners. Aline Paegelow responded with 18 points for Chile.