Wallen, Venezuela women in the clouds

CARACAS (2016 Rio Olympics) - There has been so much attention on the men's team in Venezuela following its qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games and title triumph at the FIBA Americas Championship that the success of the women's squad has been overshadowed.

Let there be no doubt, though, that the fifth-place finish the Venezuela squad achieved at the FIBA Americas Women's Championship in Edmonton, Canada, with a vital win over Puerto Rico was and remains cause for a great celebration.

The result was good enough to clinch a place in next year's FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

While there are going to be quality rivals at the 12-team event, there will also be five spots for the Rio Games up for grabs.

Venezuela will go to the tournament with the aim of claiming one of them.

They wouldn't be headed to a WOQT without Daniela Wallen, who provided points and plenty of inspiration in Edmonton.

She and her teammates had been determined to make history and reach the WOQT for the first time when they left for the FIBA Americas Women's Championship.

The 20-year-old Wallen was particularly good in the 65-56 triumph over Puerto Rico in the pivotal battle for fifth place.

"This is something I had not experienced before," she said.

"To have reached for the first time the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament for our country is something that makes me very happy.

"I'm very proud of the team and I feel a sense of joy."

The win over the Boricuas will be something that Wallen never forgets.

Venezuela trailed 24-9 after the first quarter but immediately hit back.

They dug in their heels on defense and ground away on offense, outscoring Puerto Rico 20-10 in the frame to trail just 34-29 at half-time.

Wallen and Co maintained their momentum in the third period, winning that quarter, 18-6.

They kept their noses in front the rest of the way.

"We changed our mentality," Wallen said.

"Our coach always told us that we didn't have the mentality to kill a game off but against Puerto Rico, we changed our attitude, our offense and it worked for us.

"In the second quarter, we showed our strength as a team and we never gave up."

Winning that game against Puerto Rico gave Wallen one of the finest moments of her career.

"I'm proud of myself, of my coach and of my team," she said.

Venezuela are already thinking about the possibilities.

They will have a very important January, too, having been invited to take part in the Olympic Test Event, which is being staged at the Basketball Arena at the Olympic Park in Rio, 15-17 January.

Brazil, Australia and Argentina will also be at the event.

FIBA