Brazil wins 1st Pan-American Basketball University Championship

Brazil Golden Boys

SALVADOR – Brazil is the champion of the first edition of Pan-American University Basketball Championship. The Brazilian men’s team defeated the United States in the final match by a score of 69:63 on August 14^th in the gymnasium of Salesian College, in Salvador (Bahia). Chile secured the bronze medal.

In another thrilling game, the second duel between Brazil and USA in the Basketball Pan-American was played point by point. The Americans went ahead and closed the 1^st quarter in 35:32. After the break, the Brazilian team came into court more careful and didn’t give any space to their opponent.

Brazilian’s reaction started with setting up pivot Islam Toledo that put Brazil ahead on the score (41:40) and lifted the crowd. Pushed by the crowd, the pivot scored two points more after infiltration in the American defense and after a stolen ball buried it once more to the delight of the public in Bahia.

With 49:45, Brazil started to take control of the game and did not leave the U.S. regain the lead of the game. Reset the timer, 69:63 for Brazil and party inside and outside the court. William Schneider, Brazilian player, made 19 points, the main scoring in the game. “In every game our third quarter was not being the best. But today we did our best third quarter and managed to close the tournament with the gold medal, which was not expected”, pivot Rodrigo Silva said. According to the Brazilian coach, Marco Pegolo, the Brazilian team had the proper stance to overcome the good first time of United States and the most difficult moments of the match. “We have to celebrate this group, the athletes’ dedication and initiative during the game. And this experience of international matches and tournaments is important for the preparation towards a good result at the Universiade next year”, said Pegolo.

In the battle for the bronze, Chile defeated Paraguay 59:46. Uruguay ended in 5^th place after beating Colombia 62:56.

This inaugural edition of the Championship is an achievement of Brazilian University Sports Confederation (CBDU) with the support of Koch Tavares and Pan-American University Sports Organization (ODUPA). “We would like to congratulate all the countries that participated in this first edition and that played great games with a high technical level bringing an amazing show for the public. We hope that this will be just the first of several tournaments to increase University Sport in all America”, concluded Luciano Cabral, CBDU President.

(Source: Pollyanna Padua, CBDU)