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The 2013 FIBA Americas Championship has started at Caracas, the capitol city of Venezuela with 10 teams affiliated to the FIBA Americas sub zone fighting for the prestigious FIBA Americas championship title and most importantly, for the top 4 spot to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
As United States of America (USA) is already qualified for the 2014 World Cup as the gold medalist of the 2012 London Olympic Games, participating teams (Group A: Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Canada, Jamaica, Brazil / Group B: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Paraguay, Argentina) are playing for continental honours as well as for the top 4 spots to book their ticket to 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Canada 85 – 64 Jamaica
On the opening match of the championship, Canada beat Jamaica 85 – 64 to begin their quest to qualify for 2014 FIBA World Cup. Canada took the first and second quarter 19 – 14 & 23 – 11 respectively, while Jamaica took the third quarter 25 – 18.
Canadians took the last quarter 25 – 14 to ease past Jamaica 85 – 64. Joseph Cory, the first round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s NBA Draft, netted 17 points for Canada while Adrian Carlos was the top scorer for Jamaica with 16 points.
Argentina 95 – 60 Paraguay
One of the title contender of the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, Argentina started their campaign with the 95 – 60 thrashing of minnows Paraguay.
Argentina had an easy game, winning the first, second and last quarter 30 – 15, 24 – 12 & 22 – 12 respectively while Paraguay took the third quarter 21 – 19. Campazzo Facundo led Argentina with 13 points while Guillermo Alejandro netted 23 points for Paraguay.
Puerto Rico 7 2 – 65 Brazil
In the third match of the opening day of the championship, the recently concluded TUTO Cup Champions Puerto Rico beat Brazil 72 – 65 to start their qualification quest for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Puerto Rico took the first quarter 15 – 12. Brazil won second and third quarter 17 – 16 & 22 – 17 respectively to take 3 point lead going to the last quarter.
But Puerto Rico came out strong in the last quarter and took it by 24 – 14 to beat Brazil 72 – 65. Renaldo Balkman, who plays for the New York Knicks netted 24 points for Puerto Rico while Marcelo Huertas netted 16 points for Brazil.
Mexico 65 – 56 Venezuela
In the last match of the opening day of the championship, Mexico beat hosts Venezuela 65 – 56 riding high on 22 points from Gustavo Alfonso.
Mexico took the first quarter 16 – 7 while Venezuela took the second quarter 16 – 13. Third quarter was draw with both teams scoring 16 points each. Mexico took the last quarter 20 – 17 to upset the hosts on the opening day. Luis Miguel was the top scorer with 10 points for hosts.
Argentina are the defending champions of the championship which is held in every two years. The second day of the championship will see Uruguay taking on Jamaica, Canada playing Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic facing Argentina and Paraguay playing hosts Venezuela.
Participating nations are divided in two teams with top 4 teams from each group will enter the second round of the championship. Top 4 teams from the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship will join USA to represent FIBA Americas in the 2014 Spain FIBA World Cup.
Guess the Lakers players!
