#FIBAAmericasWomen2015 - Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Cuba advance to Semi-Finals
by: FIBA
EDMONTON (2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship) - The fourth day of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship finished with confirmation of the four teams that will play in Saturday's Semi-Finals as Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Cuba all did what they needed in order to move on to the next phase.
However, Thursday - the last Group Phase day - will serve to define the seedings of the two Semi-Finals.
The day began with a win for Cuba against a Chilean team that was without star center Ziomara Morisson, out because of a complication to a back injury.
Cuba's unselfish offense was on full display again, as 11 of the 12 players got on the scoresheet in the 88-61 win. After some poor performances in the first two games, point guard Ineidis Casanova came out sharp and aggressive, finishing with 14 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The result saw Cuba with Canada at the top of Group A with an identical 3-0 record.
Puerto Rico were able to beat a resilient Dominican Republic team, 64-56, in yet another hard-fought battle and chapter in the eternal Caribbean rivalry. It was an erratic performance from both teams, but in the end, the big shots fell for the Puerto Ricans against a Dominicana team that saw its participation in the tournament come to an end with them displaying great efforts that were undone by 33 turnovers.
Puerto Rico will face Chile in the last day of the Group Phase for a chance to play for fifth place and the last spot to next year's FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).
Argentina kept up their perfect start to the competition, adding a 71-55 victory over Venezuela and clinching a spot in the Last Four. Cristian Santander's team dominated from start to finish, with great defense by Macarena Rosset, who also put up 14 points and 5 assists, and their trademark ball movement that produced easy baskets for the likes of Gisela Vega, who once again led the team with 16 points, along with 8 rebounds in the victory.
The South Americans have reached the Semi-Finals and secured the chance for another opportunity at the Olympic Games by at least making it to the WOQT.
Venezuela will play Ecuador for the chance to play for fifth place on Saturday. Unfortunately, it may have to be without breakout star Roselis Silva who suffered an arm injury that sidelined her for the final minutes of the game against Argentina.
Brazil once again showed great fighting spirit against a Virgin Islands team that was able to compete for the first 20 minutes of the game but eventually got overpowered by the depth of the Brazilian roster. Brazil won 72-58 and earned a spot in the Semi-Finals.
So the scenario is simple and exciting for the last day of the Group Phase: every game counts.
Cuba take on Canada and Brazil square off against Argentina to determine the standings of the groups and the Semi-Final match-ups.
The three teams - except for Brazil who were granted automatic qualification to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games - are already guaranteed at the very least a spot in the WOQT if they don't get to automatically qualify by winning the Championship (or finishing second if Brazil win).
That last spot for the WOQT will go to the team that comes in fifth.
Thursday's two opening games will determine who gets to play for that fifth position when Chile face Puerto Rico and Venezuela do battle with Ecuador for the third position of Groups A and B.
Go to fiba.com/Americaswomen2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship.
