13 Sept
    2 Nov 2024

    Semi-Final Showdown: Bay Area Phoenix and Sportiva Italiana face off to get closer to WBLA title

    3 min to read
    Preview

    In the opening clash of the Women’s Basketball League Americas Final 4, the Chilean champions will look to overcome a formidable American team.

    MEDELLÍN (Colombia) – Season 2 of the Women’s Basketball League Americas reaches its decisive stage with the Final 4, set for Friday November 1, and Saturday November 2, at the Iván de Bedout Coliseum in Medellín, Colombia. In the first semifinal, Bay Area Phoenix (USA) will face Sportiva Italiana (CHI) on Friday at 4:30 p.m. local time. The American team, entering as the undefeated leader (3-0) of Group B, will have to overcome the absence of two key players from the previous stage: former WNBA player Danielle Robinson and Aliyah Collier, the team’s leading scorer with 19.3 points per game. Guard Doris Jones and center Mariah Cooks are joining the team, but filling the void left by Robinson and Collier won’t be easy. The Chilean champion, finishing second in Group A (2-1), also made a couple of roster changes. Shooting guard Antonia Andaur and center Dorie Harrison will replace Florencia Barahona and Constanza Cárdenas. Andaur previously played in WBLA last year and competed this year in the South American League, representing Universidad de Chile in both tournaments.

    Key matchup

    The point guards for each team play crucial roles. For Sportiva, Colombian guard Manuela Ríos (22.3 PTS, 6.3 REB, 5.3 AST, and 2.3 STL) orchestrates the offense and contributes in nearly all aspects of the game.

    Ríos plays a key role in the Chilean team's offense

    On Bay Area’s side, Canadian Ameela Li (10.7 PTS, 3.3 REB, 3.7 AST, and 2.7 STL) brings speed to the game and is a fierce defender. She’ll be tasked with stopping Ríos, a challenge few have successfully met at the continental level.

    X Factor

    Both teams showed strong performances from their forwards during the Group Stage. For Phoenix, Rebecca Harris (17.3 PTS, 50% from three, and 7.7 REB) was one of the top players in Group B, while for Sportiva, Josefina Cortés (13.7 PTS and 11.0 REB) was also among the standout players in Group A. The player who can maintain this level of production may tip the scales in favor of her team.

    Stats don’t lie

    Bay Area’s offense, even with the absences, remains formidable. They average 74.7 points per game with 16.3 points from the bench, compared to Sportiva Italiana’s 67.7 and 11.3 bench points. However, the Chilean team must focus on reducing turnovers (17.7 compared to their opponent's 10.7) and preventing second-chance points (7.0 second-chance points against Phoenix’s 12.3).

    Faatimah A was one of those who contributed from the bench

    They said

    “This is the biggest challenge we’ve faced. We’re up against a team composed entirely of American players, who obviously have a different physicality and experience. We have expectations of competing well and giving them a good game,” said Gianluca Pozo, coach of Sportiva Italiana, to El Mercurio de Valparaíso.

    “These women love to compete. Coming in here, they all know what’s expected of them. I think as soon as the lights go on, we’ll show our best level,” said Faatimah A, player for Bay Area Phoenix. FIBA

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