Canada Defeats Puerto Rico for Bronze Medal at 2023 Women’s AmeriCup

GUANAJUATO, Mexico.- For the second consecutive day, Puerto Rico once again had two effective first sets, but was dominated in the second half, so that Canada repeated the dose and defeated them on Sunday 80-73 in the game for the medal of 2023 Women’s AmeriCup bronze.

The National Women’s Basketball Team, which had also lost to the same rival in the group stage, thus finished in fourth place in the most important women’s event in the region, which took place at the Domo de la Feria de León, in Guanajuato, Mexico.

“We didn’t have the legs to match that way of playing for 40 minutes, but we did well. They made out We play one on one against those teams. We accomplished one of two things, which was to qualify. We did not fulfill the medal part as we wanted, but now it will be a matter of organizing ourselves ”, the leader Jerry Batista told this medium.

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In the previous continental tournament, Puerto Rico had won a silver medal.

Nirra Fields led Canada’s offense with 19 points and three rebounds, followed by Shay Colley with 15 points and four rebounds.

Veteran center Kayla Alexander had 13 points and dominated the boards with 19 rebounds.

The Canadians shot 36% from the field compared to 45.8% for the Puerto Ricans. Nonetheless, they shot 44.4% from 3-point range.

They also widely dominated the rebounds 52-34.

In the setback, Arella Guirantes scored 27 points with seven rebounds and five assists.

Mya Hollingshed had her best game of the tournament and contributed another 17 points and eight rebounds.

“Today we noticed the real difference compared to the last game against Puerto Rico. The only thing I have are words of respect for that team. I am lucky to have some cousins ​​on the island. Hopefully we will see each other against Puerto Rico soon in November and we will have a great qualifier”, added the coach of Canada, Víctor Lapena.

Despite the defeat, Puerto Rico already had their ticket secured to the Olympic Prequalifier, securing their place among the best four of the event.

Later on Sunday night, the champion would be decided in a duel between the undefeated Brazil and the powerhouse United States.

With a basket by Pamela Rosado and a three-point play by Guirantes, the Puerto Ricans began the first quarter 5-0.

But Canada quickly fought back, keeping that period even, until two 3-pointers by Sami Hill gave the Canadians their biggest lead of the first quarter, 22-15.

Guirantes scored a güira to close the gap to five.

For the second set, eight consecutive goals by Hollingshed gave the Puerto Ricans the lead, 25-24.

Two free throws from Guirantes put them up by three. But thanks to Yvonne Ejim and Cassandre Prosper, Canada once again threatened the Puerto Rican advantage.

Once again Guirantes tied the period, which ended Canada up with a basket from Hill.

In the third quarter, a triple by Jacqueline Benítez put Puerto Rico in front 40-38.

But the Canadian aim and effectiveness made a difference.

A swing by Aaliyah Edwards put the Canadians up by nine, but with mid-range baskets from Hollingshed and Jennifer O’Neill, Puerto Rico refused to be left behind.

Finally, one of two free throws made by Colley, coupled with a block he gave to O’Neill, closed out the third period 64-58 with Canada leading.

At the end of the fourth quarter, five points in a row by Brianna Jones gave the Puerto Ricans hope, but a foul and vale by Alexander put the Canadians back eight points ahead.

Puerto Rico refused to die and, with a basket by Jacqueline Benítez, they were close to six.

But another play of three units by Colley sentenced the duel in favor of Canada.

“We always had a motto: we know that teams like Brazil and Canada are better. But they have to come out and play against us and you could be in for a surprise. The respect they have for us says a lot. Now it’s a matter of continuing to work. Before, nobody expected anything from us, and now they expect us to win all the tournaments. I am clear that it will not always be like this”, concluded Batista.

2023-07-09 20:41:00
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