Brazil and Colombia will compete in the women’s basketball final of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, defeating Argentina and Cuba, respectively, this Saturday in the semifinals.
The Brazilians advanced towards the defense of the title won four years ago, in Lima-2019, when they defeated the United States, absent in Chile, with a resounding defeat of the Argentines by 77 to 57.
The stellar Leila Zabani led the offensive of the current American champions with 19 points, fifteen of them in triples, against a combative but clearly outmatched Argentine team.
Argentina, which has never stepped on the podium at a Pan American Games, had its most outstanding players in Victoria Gauna (14 points) and Camila Suárez (12 and three assists).
In addition to the two-time championship, Brazil will seek its fifth gold medal in this category on Sunday at the Sports Center 1 of the National Stadium in Santiago, against a rival whom it easily defeated 78 to 57 in the group stage.
On the Santiago court they will battle against a Colombia that will play its first final in the Pan American Games, after having defeated Cuba earlier, and with authority, by 73 to 48.
The coffee makers, who brought the Chilean capital to the base of their stellar team, eliminated the islanders thanks to the skill of the commanders of their offensive: Carolina López (15 points) and Jenifer Muñoz (13).
Manuela Ríos, with eight assists, pulverized the Cuban defense, which in addition to problems in the rearguard had visible problems putting together plays in the Colombian area.
The Cubans began to forget about the chance to win their fourth Pan American gold, the last one was won in Santo Domingo-2003, when they gave up a 16-point lead in the second quarter.
From then on, the coffee makers, who already secured silver, the first medal they have achieved in this sport in the Pan American Games, controlled the advantage in the Sports Center of the National Stadium. Now they will fight for gold against the favorites in Sunday’s final. Cuba and Argentina will fight for bronze on the same day.
Women’s basketball semifinal results:
Colombia – Cuba 73-48
Brazil – Argentina 77-57
2023-10-29 02:49:19
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