The men’s basketball team ended its recent losing streak and debuted with a victory in the AmeriCup, the modality’s Copa América, played at the Arena Geraldão, in Recife. This Friday (2), the Brazilians defeated Canada by 72 to 63, in Group C of the competition.

Winger/point guard Yago Matheus, with 13 points, was voted best player of the game. The scorer was Canadian point guard Dalano Banton (Toronto Raptors, NBA), with 20 points, in addition to grabbing 11 rebounds.

In search of a fifth continental title, Brazil returns to the court this Saturday, at 8:10 p.m. (Brasilia time), against Colombia. Canada plays at 5:40 p.m. against Uruguay.

The duel started in a balanced way, with the teams taking turns in the lead. Pitching performance was poor on both sides, but the hosts managed to finish the first quarter two points clear. In the second half, the hosts hit the mark and made it difficult for the Canadian kicks, who scored just nine points, against 15 for the Brazilians, who went at halftime with 32-24 on the board. edge.

Coming back in the second half, Canada broke away from the Brazilian marking, putting the game in the hallway and taking the lead in a three-ball from winger/keeper Jahvon Henry-Blair, three minutes from the end of the third quarter. The score was substituted in the lead until the final three minutes of the final period, when Brazil finally got through, with four balls from three, two from Yago and two from winger/pivot Lucas Dias. The hosts regained control and claimed victory.

Earlier, in the game that opened Group C, Colombia beat Uruguay 70-64. Center Jaime Echenique, with 17 points and 11 rebounds, was the highlight of the winning team. Uruguayan playmaker Agustin Ubal, with 27 points, was the scorer of the match.