Americas U18 Championship tips off with wins for USA, Canada, Brazil and hosts Chile

VALDIVIA (FIBA Americas U18) - The first day of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship handed victories for the National Teams of the United States, Canada, Brazil and Chile.

Two-time defending Champs, USA started its participation in the 2016 edition of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship with a 103-70 dominant win over Puerto Rico. After matching-up to the opponent thanks to the great job by Negron, Puerto Rico started accumulating turnovers after USA adjusted to a full-court press. USA kept producing and started gaining distance on the scoreboard. Puerto Rico kept fighting and discounted a couple points from the difference, with great additions from Negron, who had a 23 point, 13 rebound double-double in the match. Led offensively by 20 points from Porter Jr USA headed to its first win of the 2016 U18 Continental Championship.

Canada jumped into the court in Valdivia and defeated direct-rival Argentina, 80-41, in their first outing at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. The teams fought as equals during the first quarter, but after a 29-15 second quarter Canada started gaining distance. Canada rolled in the third quarter and dominated the proceedings heading to its first win.

The top scorer for the Canadians was Wigginton who accumulated 21 points in the win.

Brazil added its first win of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship after defeating the Dominican Republic, 74-58, in Group A action. The Brazilians had the lead from the starting moments, after winning the first quarter 19-13. Brazil remained on top and never looked back. Led by 25 points and 8 rebounds from Galvanini, the Brazilians started the championship on the right note.

With a packed stadium, Chile debuted with win over Virgin Islands, 68-45. The host began the game with a 9-0 run, dominated the first quarter 17-4. The team from the Virgin Islands won the second quarter, but Chile kept the difference captured in the first quarter. Chile won the remaining two quarters and headed to the win. 16 points from Arroyo helped Chile start the tournament on the right foot.

Tomorrow on the second day of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Canada will take on the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands will face the defending champs, in a new chapter of a South America rivalry Argentina will match-up against Brazil, and the host will play Puerto Rico.

FIBA