Friday, october 27nd, 2023.- In an entertaining game, the Argentine female’s basketball team defeated Puerto Rico 77-75 and advanced to the semifinals at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

The Argentine team, which had lost their first game to Cuba in Group A but bounced back with a win against Chile in their second match, took to the court with the determination to avoid mistakes, and that's how they managed to prevail over the Puerto Rican team.

Argentina won the first quarter 30-29, and they also secured the second quarter with a score of 17-14. However, the Puerto Rican team mounted a comeback, winning the third quarter 16-14. The last quarter ended in a tie, 16-16, resulting in a final score of 77-75 in favor of the Argentine team.

Camila Suárez was the standout player for Argentina, scoring 22 points. She was followed by Candela Gentinetta and María Jourdheuil, both with 13 points each.

"It was a long and very close game. There were a lot of nerves in the end, but we knew it would be like that because Puerto Rico is a great team with a lot of quality. We need to continue strengthening our defense, which is our greatest strength. We have many debutant players, which made us a little nervous in the first game, but we have a team, and we keep improving. Argentine basketball continues to grow, and we are here for great things. Opponent for the semifinals? I prefer Colombia. We want to face Brazil in the final," commented Candela Gentinetta from the winning team.

Puerto Rico, who had lost their first game to Chile and had a spectacular comeback in the second game by defeating Cuba, will only have a chance to compete for classification between fifth and eighth place. These matches will begin tomorrow, along with the semifinals, at Polideportivo 1 del Estadio Nacional.

Written by Marcelo López; translated by Andrés Castro / Photosport
Photo by Alejandro Pagni/Santiago 2023 / Photosport