Colombia Basketball Team ranks historically

Colombian basketball signed one of the most glorious moments in its history last Sunday at the Elías Chegwin Coliseum in Barranquilla, home of the Titans six-time champions of the Professional Basketball Division in Colombia. For the first time in its history, it officially beat Brazil 104-98 and qualified for the second round of FIBA ​​Americas for a place in the World Cup that will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia in 2023.

Reaching the last day of the first round, they had beaten Chile 67-66 on July 1, achieving their first victory in group B along with Uruguay and Brazil, who had already secured their place in the next phase. The national team I needed to beat the Brazilians, undefeated and leaders of the group, and hope that the Australes did not beat Uruguay.

Colombia imposed the conditions from the beginning with a full stage that came to support the Tricolor. In the first three quarters, those led by coach Guillermo Moreno were in the lead until Brazil pressed in the last quarter and matched the actions and they forced two overtime to add suspense in Barranquilla. In the end, a dagger of three by Braian Angola sentenced the historic victory for Colombian basketball.

Juan Diego Tello was the figure on the woodwork with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, Angola did their part with another 20 goals, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Center Andrés Ibarguen also stood out under the rim with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

In the second qualifying window, which will be during the months of August, November and February 2023, the twelve teams classified between North, Central and South America will be divided again into groups and the first three plus a best fourth will define the seven quotas granted by the continent for the 2023 World Cup.