Strong start for Puerto Rico, Brazil, USA and Canada at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Puerto Rico, Brazil, USA, and Canada, emerged victorious on Day 1 of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2019, which began this Sunday at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.

The local team established a cheerful rhythm, with fast offenses in transition, and was also accurate in long-distance shots to dominate Cuba 80-55, in Group A action.

Ali Gibson scored 14 points and guided the balanced Puerto Rican attack, which had up to five players with double digits. Tayra Meléndez contributed 12 points, while Pamela Rosado and Isalys Quiñones added 11 points each. India Pagán added 10 points.

Puerto Rico scored 28 points in fastbreak and scored 10 three-pointers in 19 attempts for a high 53 percent effectiveness.

Yamara Amargo, with 20 points and Suchitel Ávila, with 13 points led the Cuban offense.

In what was the evenest duel of the day, Brazil took refuge in the offensive power of Clarissa Dos Santos, to overcome Colombia by 67-61, in Group B action.

The intern, who finished with 14 points and six rebounds, produced nine of the last 12 points of her team to keep the Amazon afloat before a tough Colombia that never stopped fighting.

In the final two minutes of the match, Dos Santos made two field shots and five free throws, including two with 36 seconds left, to put her team on top 64-61. Then, forward Tati Pacheco, with 12 seconds left, scored her only three-pointer of the match to seal the game.

Patty Texeira and Damiris Dantas (nine rebounds) also stood out with 12 points each, while center Erika De Souza added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

For Colombia, Jenifer Muñoz was the top scorer with 19 points and Mabel Martínez contributed 11 points and 10 boards.

USA began the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup with a sample of its power and overwhelmingly defeated Paraguay 110-31, in a duel for Group B.

The team coached by Dawn Staley imposed their physique under the basket (64 points on the paint) and ran the court (38 points in fastbreak), to pass over their opponents.

Diamond De Shields scored 20 points and eight assists for the United States. Arike Ogunbowale added 17 points and experienced Sylvia Fowles left a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Dawn Staley's team achieved 36 assists and only had six turnovers, which shows its good level of execution.

In the first game of the continental championship, the defending champions, Canada, defeated Mexico, 109-53, in Group A.

Canada started the match with an 18-0 run and gave no chance of recovery to their rivals. The first period ended 31-13 and in the following quarter, the score was 51-20 and 78-41.

Canada, which controlled all facets of the game, had five players with 10 or more points. Jamie Scott, with 21 goals, led the offense, while Kayla Alexander added 18, with 11 rebounds and five assists. Bridget Carleton also showed up with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

For Mexico, Jacqueline Luna-Castro contributed 12 points and Paola Estrada 10 points.

On the second day of the Group Phase, the Dominican Republic will face Mexico, Colombia will meet Paraguay, Canada will face Cuba and Argentina will close-out the day against South American rival Brazil.

FIBA