On Argentine soil, the Brazilian women’s basketball team paid back for the defeat in the final in 2018 and was once again crowned champion of the South American Campeoanto by beating the hermana team after a dramatic game, decided literally at the last second. The 69-68 victory over Argentina, in the city of San Luis, guaranteed the Brazilian women their 27th Brazilian title in the competition in 37 editions (they only failed to reach the podium in two). Before having their dominance interrupted four years ago, the team had lined up 13 consecutive victories.
IT’S CHAMPION! IT’S CHAMPION! ????
The women’s team is the South American basketball champion!
?? 69 x 68 ??
Shutting up the crowd that filled the gym in San Luis ?? pic.twitter.com/Y2jnrx1n4z
— Team Brazil (@timebrasil) August 7, 2022
The tournament – which guaranteed a spot in the 2023 AmeriCup, the first leg of the qualification journey to the Paris Olympics the following year – was won with a considerable dose of drama. Argentina, playing at home, started with a strong pace, winning the first two quarters and going into the break with an eight-point lead (31-23).
Brazil returned to the duel with certain changes by coach José Neto, who gave Gabriella, Sassá and Leila more time, who started on the bench. In the third round, the Brazilian team took seven points and went to the last quarter, losing by just one.
SOUTH AMERICA IS OURS AGAIN! ???@basquetebrasil ?? 6️⃣9️⃣x6️⃣8️⃣ ?? Argentina
With a lot of emotion and with the winning basket of @paixao_taina at the last second, the #OurSelection?? wins the South American Championship for the 27th time!
THE CUP COMES TO BRAZIL! ??
? @FIBA pic.twitter.com/3MRmzVPxnX
— Women’s Basketball League (@LBF_Oficial) August 7, 2022
The title was decided point by point, in an exciting game. With just under 24 seconds left – possession of the ball -, guard Tainá received the ball while still in the backcourt and received a close call from Argentine Luciana de la Barba. She only managed to get rid of her opponent at the end of possession and hit a difficult unbalanced shot to give Brazil the advantage of two points: 69 to 67. As there was only one second left, there was an invasion of the court by members of the technical commission. , certain of victory. However, the referee detected the irregularity and granted a free throw to the Argentines, who converted. However, there was no time for a new turn, confirming the Brazilian title.
Tainá, heroine of the selection, was also the scorer of the decision, with 17 points. In the competition’s ideal quintet, Brazil had two other athletes: wing Sassá and pivot Kamilla Cardoso, elected MVP (most valuable player) of the South American Championship.
UP ONE MORE, CAPTAIN!
It’s Brazil champion of the South American of San Luis by beating Argentina in their house ❤️@erikasouza14 pic.twitter.com/lsQ2KFXdRO
— Basketball Brazil – CBB (@basquetebrasil) August 7, 2022
