EDMONTON, Canada – The road to Rio, let alone the road to the FIBA Americas finals tomorrow evening wasn’t easy but it wasn’t unexpected. The host Canadians get Cuba again in the finals here at the Edmonton Saville Community Sports Center. Both teams faced each other after a Pool A 40+ point 92-43 rout by Canada on Thursday evening.
Canada and Brazil were the teams expected in the finals, not the semifinals. Brazil lost in the Pool B final to a very happy and hard playing Argentina. Brazil missing three pro-level stars and already qualified were down the entire game before getting a lead only to lose the game to Argentina.
The unexpected Brazil loss set up a very competitive and hard fought Cuba and Argentina semifinal which went into overtime before Brazil’s strength, experience and athleticism pushed them to a 89-79 victory. Cuba led by as many as 14 points during the game but Argentina forced overtime at 73 all. Cuban foul shooting and bad shots by Argentina in overtime made a close game’s final score look easy. Cuba celebrated their comeback their win and then sat at the end zone to watch the Canada vs. Brazil semi.
Canada jumped out again quickly at the start but Brazil countered with inside play and long shots to get up two points by the five minute mark. Canada starting hitting outside shots against Brazil’s zone to get back up five in the second quarter. It went back and forth until halftime where Canada held a 45-39 lead giving up 10 offensive rebounds to let Brazil to keep it close. The rout started in the third quarter when Cuban Coach Luis Zanon was ejected down 48-41.
Canada found the holes in Brazil’s zone for a 71-55 lead after three quarters. Brazil played chippy cutting a 16-point deficit to 10 by holding Canada scoreless for almost the first four minutes of the 4th quarter. Brazil kept hanging around the rest of the game but Canada kept them away for a 83-66 win.
Canada Coach Lisa Thomaidis discusses the benefit of having played a tough game against Brazil in the FIBA Americas semifinals.
Canada is playing its best ball of the summer just in time for the FIBA Americas finals vs. Cuba the same team they beat in the prelims and lost in the finals in 2013. Despite a blowout of Cuba in the Pool A finals, no one around the gym, anyone from Team Canada to the knowledgeable fan, even parents are counting the game against Cuba as a done deal. The sting from 2013 is still prevalent amongst everyone here.
Canada Coach Lisa Thomaidis talks about being prepared for the seminfinal game vs. Brazil and eventual final against Cuba.
THE OTHER SPOT: The 5th place game was going to be a big advancement for Puerto Rico basketball which had its moments of controversy with the release of guard Carla Cortijo from the team to sign with the Atlanta Dream. The Federation which denied her release eventually granted it to her after a flury of protests and concern was raised in the Puerto Rican basketball community. The opportunity to take home a win looked great with a 24-9 first quarter lead. They blew that in the second and battled a tough Venezuela team and lost the lead with 6:21 in the 3rd period and got to within two point with 3:21 left in the fourth. There was no way from keeping Venezuela from snatching this game away with a 65-56 win and grab the final (5th) qualifying spot for FIBA Americas teams to compete in the Rio 2016 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament next June somewhere in Europe. It also happened to be the same that the Venezuela Federation celebrates their founding 80 years ago.
FINAL GAMES: The 2015 FIBA Americas Pool A rematch or 2013 FIBA Americas finals rematch depending on your history, will be played at 6pm Edmonton time with the 3rd place game between Brazil and Argentina going off at 3:30pm. The teams from Cuba, Argentina and Canada playing on Sunday have already qualified for the FIBA Olympic qualifier. The big prize for the Canada-Cuba winner is getting the coveted direct placement into the Rio Olympics while Brazil got a direct placement as Olympic host.
Canada Coach Lisa Thomaidis speaks of her optimism for her Team Canada squad and what they will face from Cuba in the FIBA Americas championship game.
