2017 Women's AmeriCup Full Report

The 2017 Women's AmeriCup saw some great displays of basketball from some of the very best teams in the world, as well as some terrific surprise performances by less-favoured teams, who really brought the tournament to life.

As the teams took to the floor in Buenos Aries, the tournament began as many expected, with victories for Argentina, Canada, Puerto Rico and Brazil, though Brazil’s victory came having survived a late scare to Venezuela. Playing as a team, the host nation rallied behind confident shooting and tough defence to finish the group with a perfect record, finishing with a 19-point victory over close rivals Brazil.

Second place in Group A became a three way battle: Brazil, Colombia and Virgin Islands all finishing with a 2-2 record. (Venezuela’s lacklustre play saw them exit the AmeriCup winless.)

Colombia were late to begin play, but their big physical game saw them put on a late surge. Virgin Islands, behind great performances from Imani Tate and Natalie Day, scored wins over Venezuela and Brazil, the latter of which all the more impressive. To begin with, Brazil were exuberant and tough on both ends, but faltered as the tournament went on. On the virtue of points scored, however, Brazil managed to secure the last semi-final spot in the group.

Canada were peerless in Group B - their strength, skill and intelligence easily saw them overcome all their opponents to top the group 4-0, with Nirra Fields and Kia Nurse once again leading the Canadians’ offence.

Paraguay began their campaign with a surprise 69-66 win over Cuba – a victory for which even their opponents felt the need to congratulate them. Paraguay’s winning ways continued two days later with a second victory over Mexico. They teetered on the brink of promotion, but losses to Canada and Puerto Rico saw them finish in an otherwise highly commendable third place.

Puerto Rico found an unsung hero in Allison Gibson: in the first two games, Gibson came off the bench and topped all her teammates in scoring, that winning momentum was carried by Puerto Rico for the remainder of the tournament. A final, late win over Cuba would be enough to see Puerto Rico book their place in the knockout stage.

Leaving it right to the end to get their first win, Cuba did not perform as many would have expected them to. Despite their continued shooting skills, they looked sluggish and badly organised. Mexico, meanwhile, failed to ignite, despite Jacqueline Luna doing all she could to lift her team, they finished winless.

Brazil’s run of misfortune followed them to the final four, where they were heavily outclassed by Canada, losing by 39 points. The second semi-final was far more exciting: a back-and-forth game that, although Argentina were leading and their starting forward Agostina Burani scoring 26 points, Puerto Rico were constantly threatening. A late run from Puerto Rico looked dangerous, but Argentina held on to contest their home final.

Even the game for third place, between Brazil and Puerto Rico, was tightly contested, with many lead changes. Kelly Santos had a big game for Brazil, scoring 20 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, which gave them an edge for most of the way. Puerto Rico, though, behind 19 points from Allison Gibson and a stellar scoring show from Michelle Gonzalez, took the bronze medal and the final spot in the 2018 World Cup.

A raucous crowd and a stand-out show from Melisa Gretter, who finished with 23 points, looked to take Argentina to glory on their home court. Canada’s tough interior offence and alertness saw them turn the game around in the third quarter. Argentina came back from a 12-point deficit and re-took the lead with moments to go, only for Canada’s stars Kia Nurse and Nirra Fields to give the North Americans a slender two-point lead. Gretter missed the final shot of the game, and the final chance of salvation for Argentina. Canada celebrated their defence of their continental crown.