USA defeated Brazil 87-47 to finish top of pool B in the men’s wheelchair basketball competition at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.
Both undefeated so far in the tournament and going into their final game of the preliminary stages looking for the top spot, it was the Paralympic gold medallists USA that set the tone with constant defensive pressure forcing Brazil into a number of mistakes and turnovers on which they capitalised to ensure they ran out comfortable winners by the forty point margin. USA make their way through to the quarter-finals in first place in the group, with Brazil having to settle for second.
The other game in pool B was also a battle for position as hosts Peru took on Puerto Rico with both teams looking for their first win of the championships and to decide who would finish third and fourth in the final pool standings. Puerto Rico came out on fire and were too hot to handle for Peru. Thanks to some excellent finishing from top scorers Zachary Blair and Carlos Martinez, who scored 34 points and 25 points respectively, they got their first win under their belts in style 102-42, to secure third spot, with Peru finishing fourth meaning they will meet the top-placed team in pool A in the quarter-finals.

In pool A, Canada men and Argentina men both secured victories to remain undefeated before they face each other in the final day of games in the preliminary stages.
Despite a close opening 15 minutes between Canada and Mexico, where Mexico took the opening quarter 17-14, Canada grew into the game and, helped by excellent efficiency from three-point range (63%), won the next three quarters 19-8, 21-4 and 20-9, to secure the victory 74-48.
Argentina led from the start in their game against Colombia, but had to withstand a terrific comeback at the end of the third as Colombia went on a 16-0 scoring run to bring themselves back to within three points. Argentina came out in the fourth though and extended their lead back out again to finish with a fifteen-point advantage, 68-53.
Following the win over Colombia, Argentina’s Gustavo Villafañe said:
“Now we have to enjoy the victory for a few hours, and start thinking about Canada, which is a very tough opponent. It will be complicated but we have been thinking about them for a while. We had many friendlies a few months ago and we got enough information. No matter who gets ahead of us though, we are always ready.”
In the women’s competition, the USA and Brazil both maintained unbeaten records to tie at the top of pool B. Brazil opened the day’s action with a 71-14 win over Chile, whilst the USA secured their second dominating victory this time over hosts Peru, 100-16.

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games is the wheelchair basketball zonal qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with three men’s spots and two women’s spots available.
LIVESTREAM
Wheelchair Basketball will be one of five sports at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games which will be livestreamed. View via the Lima 2019 Streaming Channel https://www.lima2019.pe/canales-streaming.
*The streaming channel may not work on all internet browsers recommended browsers are Firefox or Google Chrome.
Viewers in USA, Canada and Peru are able to watch via their national Parapans broadcaster.
Standings
Women's Pool Standings Men's Pool Standings
Schedule, Results & Statistics
Schedule, Results and Statistics
Quotes courtesy of NSLima2019 and photo credit: Lima 2019