South American Championship. Finals - Jul. 7, 2008
Final: Argentina - Uruguay 100:95
Argentina earned the title at the South American Championship in Puerto Montt in Chile. Yesterday Argentinean team narrowly edged Uruguay to claim the championship crown. Argentina avenged the elimination round loss to Uruguay several days ago. Argentina used a 13:0 run in the first frame to spur ahead. They enjoyed a 28:21 lead at the first intermission. Argentinean players stretched the margin to 11 points midway through the second period but Uruguay managed to strike back. They closed the first half with a 10:3 rally to trail by 3 points at the interval. Argentina once again ran away to a 10 - point distance in the third stanza but not for long though. Uruguay revived the intrigue when Leandro Garcia Morales (186 - G - 80, college: Texas A&M) allowed his side to tie the game at 83 in the fourth quarter. But Diego Garcia (186 - G - 79) and Paolo Quinteros (185 - G - 79) propelled Argentina to a dramatic victory at the end. Paolo Quinteros finished with 23 points and 4 steals in a win. Diego Garcia scored 21 points, while Roman Gonzalez (211 - C - 78, agency: HM Sports Agency) and Maximiliano Stanic (178 - G - 78, agency: Players Group) had 15 points apiece for Argentina. Leandro Garcia Morales replied with game - high 33 points for Uruguay. Esteban Batista (208 - F/C - 83) provided 18 points and 13 boards in a loss.
Argentina: Paolo Quinteros 23, Diego Garcia 21, Roman Gonzalez 15, Maximiliano Stanic 15
Uruguay: Leandro Garcia Morales 33, Esteban Batista 18+13 boards

Consolation Final: Venezuela - Brazil 87:72
Venezuela could have claimed the last available spot in the Final Four but they proved they were well worth it yesterday. Venezuelan team stunned Brazil to grab the Bronze medals at the South America Championship held in Chile. Oscar Torres (195 - F/G - 76, agency: Interperformances) masterminded the victory nailing game - high 26 points and pulling down 8 boards. Brazil got to a better start to the game and opened an early lead. Venezuela however kept it close and trailed by just a single point 18:19 at the end of the first stanza. However Venezuela quickly denied the deficit. They prevailed in the second period to build a 40:34 advantage at halftime. Venezue

   South American Championship. Day 5 - Jul. 6, 2008 
Venezuela - Colombia 82:75
Venezuelan National Team claimed the last available spot in the South American Championship Final Four. It also means they already qualified for the 2009 FIBA Americas tournament. Venezuela will now meet with Brazil in today's Bronze medals clash. Yesterday Venezuela took on Colombia in the must - win fixture of the last round of preliminary action. Axiers Sucre (198 - F - 78, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) came up with the strongest performance at the tournament so far to propel Venezuela to a vital win at the end. He finished with 22 points and 8 boards and the team got the last train to the Final Four. Venezuela opened the game confidently as they outscored their opponents 26:18 in the first frame. Venezuela relied mainly on their defense as they limited Colombia to 13 points in the second period to enjoy an 11 - point cushion at halftime. The complexion of the game never changed in the third period as Venezuela always stayed one step in front. They stretched the margin to 14 points before the final period. And though Colombia fought bravely and clawed their way back within a striking distance Venezuela secured the winning outcome at the end and celebrated an important victory. Jose Vargas (196 - G/F - 82, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) provided 17 points, while Oscar Torres nailed 11 points and grabbed 7 boards in a win. Camilo Londono (188 - G - 83) answered with 25 points for Colombia. Enielsen Guevara (204 - F/C - 82) had 15 points and 10 boards in defeat. Venezuela outrebounded their opponents 32:28 and converted 51% from the field.

Venezuela: Axiers Sucre 22, Jose Vargas 17, Oscar Torres 11
Colombia: Camilo Londono 25, Enielsen Guevara 15+10 boards

Brazil - Uruguay 86:77
Brazil wrapped up their preliminary campaign at the South American Championship in style. Yesterday they handed the first loss to Uruguay at the competition. Brazil however did not make it to the Final and would play for Bronze medals against Venezuela later tonight. The game against Uruguay turned into a seesaw battle especially in the first half. The teams were equally matched during the first period however Brazilian players managed to pull away with a 25:24 lead. Uruguay adjusted their defense in the second quarter and surged ahead 40:37 at halftime. But an inspirational performance from William Fornou (204 - C - 81) after the long break changed the complexion of the encounter. Brazil went prevailed in the third quarter as they denied the deficit and built a 3 - point cushion before the final frame. Brazil kept it cool at the dying stages and finalized an impressive 86:77 win at the end. William Fornou came up with game - high 30 points. Caio Torres (211 - C - 87) provided 18 points and 14 boards, while Helio Vitor Lima and Arthur Luiz

   South American Championship. Day 4 - Jul. 5, 2008
Brazil - Venezuela 94:84
Brazilian National Team earned their 3rd win at the South American Championship. Yesterday the tournaments favorites held off Venezuela to dim 2009 FIBA Americas qualification hopes for their opponents. Brazil led right from the start. A well - balanced offense never reminded of some sloppy action from the game against Argentina. Helio Vitor Lima (185 - G - 81) orchestrated the game well and Brazil found themselves ahead by 6 points at the end of the first frame. Brazil kept on mounting the pressure and stretched the gap to 11 points at halftime. Venezuela tried to stay at a striking distance but failed to come any closer in the third stanza. Brazil wisely kept their counterparts at bay throughout the term and enjoyed a 12 - point buffer before the final frame. Venezuela cut the distance a bit in the fourth frame but never seriously threatened Brazil dominance in the final minutes. Helio Vitor Lima finished with 21 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for Brazil. Caio Torres (211 - C - 87) provided 18 points and 11 boards, while Arthur Luiz Belchior and Fernando Colonoze provided 13 points apiece in a winning case. Jose Vargas (196 - G/F - 82, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) knocked down 23 points and collected 7 boards for Venezuela. Axiers Sucre notched 10 points in defeat. Brazil had an overwhelming advantage under the rims as they outrebounded Venezuela 40:22. Brazil also converted solid 56% from the field. Venezuela takes on Colombia in a must - win fixture tonight.

Brazil: Helio Vitor Lima 21, Caio Torres 18+11 boards, Arthur Luiz Belchior 13, Fernando Colonoze 13
Venezuela: Jose Vargas 23, Axiers Sucre 10

Chile - Colombia 68:71
The home South American Championship will be full of bitter memories for Chilean National team. Yesterday they lost their fourth straight game at the tournament and three of them came with narrow margins. Chile took on winless Colombia yestreday but could not convert at the end. Chile entered the game bravely and easily marched past their opponents to a 26:18 lead at the end of the first quarter. But Colombia had something in store for the hosts. Edgar Moreno (191 - G - 81, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: UTEP) nailed a couple of impressive baskets igniting Colombia in the second stanza. The visitors outgunned Chile 22:13 in the period and grabbed a 40:39 lead at halftime. Chile looked taken aback in the third frame as they nailed just 9 points and allowed Colombia to clear off to an 11 - point distance. Chile did not say die and rushed to deny the deficit in the final quarter. They cut to minimum in the dying seconds but Enielsen Guevara (204 - F/C - 82) and Edgar Moreno sealed the winning outcome for Colombian team. Thus Colombia revived their chances of making to the final four; they now ne

   South American Championship. Day 3 - Jul. 4, 2008
Chile - Venezuela 76:94
Venezuela finally delivered when it matter the most. They overcame Chile on Day 3 of the South American Championship in Puerto Montt to spark their hopes to qualify to the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship. The teams had their backs against the wall before the game as they hoped to claim the first win and retain chances of making it to the final four at the end. The hosts opened the game in full speed quickly jumping to a comfortable lead. Chile grabbed a 19:11 lead into the second stanza. But Venezuela pretty quickly recovered to stun the hosts in the second period. The visitors outgunned Chilean team 26:11 to clinch a 37:30 advantage at halftime. Venezuela never stopped after the break led by Jose Vargas (196 - G/F - 82, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes). They stretched the gap to 11 points before the final stanza. The fourth term turned into some high - flying basketball performance as the teams teamed up for 67 points. But Venezuela secured the winning outcome leaving Chile without FIBA Americas tournament in 2009. Jose Vargas knocked down 22 points to lead Venezuela. Axiers Sucre (198 - F - 78, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) notched 16 points, while Jesus Centeno provided 14 in a winning effort. Patricio Briones (213 - C - 72, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes, college: Dade CC) answered with 20 points for Chile. Evandro Arteaga (178 - G - 83) nailed 17 points in a loss. Venezuela takes on Brazil today. Chile will looking for their initial victory against Colombia later tonight.

Chile: Patricio Briones 20, Evandro Arteaga 17
Venezuela: Jose Vargas 22, Axiers Sucre 16, Jesus Centeno 14

Brazil - Argentina 68:102
Argentina became the first team to book the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship birth at the South American Championship in Chile. Yesterday Argentinean team celebrated a stunning win over their arch - rivals Brazil and advanced to the semifinal meaning they would play at the FIBA Americas championship next year. Argentina proved stronger as they took care of the depleted Brazilian team. Brazil could not bring their best ballers to the tournament and it paid off against the stronger opponents. Argentina claimed a 17:13 lead after the starting stanza and kept mounting the pressure afterwards. They outgunned their opponents 35:16 in the second period to build a 23 - point buffer at the interval. Brazil never recovered and conceded 26 points in the third stanza. It led to Argentina accumulating an unassailable 34 - point cushion before the final quarter. Roman Gonzalez (211 - C - 78, agency: HM Sports Agency) and his teammates eased to an overall victory at the end<

   South American Championship. Day 2 - Jul. 3, 2008
Venezuela - Uruguay 70:88
Venezuela suffered their second straight defeat at the start of the South American Championship in Puerto Montt. Yesterday Venezuelan National Team could not handle Uruguay. Oscar Torres (195 - F/G - 76, agency: Interperformances) once again led the charge for Venezuela but his effort proved insufficient for the win. Uruguay side led by Esteban Batista (208 - F/C - 83) looked too good and deservedly grabbed the second win in a row at the tournament. Uruguay took over right from the start and came out of the first period leading by 5 points. Venezuela struggled to contain a high - flying Uruguayan offense and conceded 28 points in the second stanza. It allowed Uruguay to accumulate a safe 15 - point cushion at the interval. Venezuela however refused to give up that early. Oscar Torres ignited a comeback rally from Venezuelan team as they shaved the deficit to only 4 points heading into the final period. But it effort had gone dry and Uruguay restored a double - digit lead early in the final frame. Venezuela failed to recover again and Uruguay celebrated a stunning win at the end. Esteban Batista bruised Venezuela with 22 points and 9 boards. Nicolas Mazzarino (181 - G - 75, agency: Players Group) provided 21 points and 6 assists, while Leandro Garcia Morales (186 - G - 80, college: Texas A&M) had 13 points in a win. Oscar Torres replied with 21 points for Venezuela. Axiers Sucre (198 - F - 78, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) tallied 12 points and 8 boards, while Carlos Cedeno (193 - G/F - 85, college: Frank Phillips JC) nailed 11 in defeat. Venezuela take on hosting Chile tonight in the race for four available qualifying spots to the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship. Uruguay plays against Colombia tonight.

Venezuela: Oscar Torres 21, Axiers Sucre 12, Carlos Cedeno 11
Uruguay: Esteban Batista 22, Nicolas Mazzarino 21, Leandro Garcia Morales 13

Chile - Brazil 69:70
Brazilian National team grabbed their second straight win at the South American Championship in Puerto Montt. Yesterday Brazil snatched a narrow win over the hosts to remain among the top teams at the competition. Chile suffered their second consecutive defeat and once again it was a matter of the last seconds for Chile and they failed to convert. The hosts opened the game confidently keeping Brazilian depleted squad at distance. Chilean side limited their opponents to 13 points in the first frame and enjoyed a 4 - point lead at the intermission. Brazil cut the distance to 2 points at halftime and soon spurred ahead. The visitors pulled ahead and accumulated a 2 - point lead heading into the final stanza. They maintained the margin throughout the final term and still were up by 2 with 2 seco