Olivinha shines and is the top scorer and a double-double in Brazil's debut in the South American Championship
With 18 points from the five-time NBB power forward for Fla, the National Team crushed Ecuador 107-65
By Isabela Abirached - in
With 18 points from Olivinha, a power forward who won the NBB five times with Flamengo last season, the Brazilian National Team debuted with a crushing victory over Ecuador in the South American Championship, in Venezuela, by 106 to 65. The athlete was the star of the match and, with the ten rebounds added to his points, reached a double-double and was the top scorer for the national team.
"It was a good debut, and we managed to win with a large points lead. We didn't start off very well, a little nervous because it was the first match, which is normal. But then, from the second period onwards, the team loosened up, managed to impose its rhythm and open up a lead. In the second half, we continued with the same pace, and the lead only increased. Overall, the team performed very well and was very focused. Now we need to focus on the next opponent, Paraguay, and repeat the performance or even perform better to secure the victory," commented Olivinha.
Two other champions for the Red-Blacks had strong performances. JP Batista came off the bench to also achieve a double-double with 11 points, ten rebounds, and two assists. Rafael Mineiro scored 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and five rebounds.
Next Steps
Brazil is in group A, alongside Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela. In group B are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. In the next rounds, the team faces Paraguay, tonight, at 18:15 pm, Bolivia, on Wednesday (29), at 14:45 pm and, finally, Venezuela, on Thursday (30), at 20:30 pm.
According to the rules, the ten teams were divided into two groups of five, each playing in a single round. The top two teams in each group qualify for the semifinals using the Olympic crossover system: 1st A vs. 2nd B and 1st B vs. 2nd A. The winners will play for the title on July 2nd, while the losers will decide third place.
"It was a good debut, and we managed to win with a large points lead. We didn't start off very well, a little nervous because it was the first match, which is normal. But then, from the second period onwards, the team loosened up, managed to impose its rhythm and open up a lead. In the second half, we continued with the same pace, and the lead only increased. Overall, the team performed very well and was very focused. Now we need to focus on the next opponent, Paraguay, and repeat the performance or even perform better to secure the victory," commented Olivinha.
Two other champions for the Red-Blacks had strong performances. JP Batista came off the bench to also achieve a double-double with 11 points, ten rebounds, and two assists. Rafael Mineiro scored 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and five rebounds.
Next Steps
Brazil is in group A, alongside Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela. In group B are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. In the next rounds, the team faces Paraguay, tonight, at 18:15 pm, Bolivia, on Wednesday (29), at 14:45 pm and, finally, Venezuela, on Thursday (30), at 20:30 pm.
According to the rules, the ten teams were divided into two groups of five, each playing in a single round. The top two teams in each group qualify for the semifinals using the Olympic crossover system: 1st A vs. 2nd B and 1st B vs. 2nd A. The winners will play for the title on July 2nd, while the losers will decide third place.