SAN JUAN — Home side Puerto Rico (Men) and USA (Women) put up clutch performances to win Golds at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 3.
In the men’s category, Puerto Rico had the home crowd jumping as they finished a perfect tournament with a splendid 14 - 18 win against powerhouse Brazil. Adrian Ocasio was crucial in holding off the strength of their opponents while Antonio Ralat came up clutch at the end with two free throws to put the game out of reach for Brazil.
Angel Matias was the star in the final as his 9 points led his side to their first Gold medal in the competition. He also finished as top scorer with 40 points as he took home the MVP award. He led the Men’s Team of the Tournament alongside Brazil’s Jonatas Mello who put up 35 points to bring Silver home and Brayan Manuel Almonte (Dominican Republic) whose 26 points proved to be key to his side winning Bronze.
In the Women’s category, USA came up clutch in the final against Brazil. They went 4-0 on their way to the final where they would face an equally dominant Brazilian side. Despite an even-keel game at the beginning, Brazil slowly started to slip away with a strong lead. With victory in grasp with a 13 - 19 lead, USA fought back thanks to Katie Lou Samuelson and Kelsey Mitchell. With seconds to go, the game found itself at 20 points apiece and USA possession. It was Dearica Hamby, with 5 crucial points so far in the game, who found the final touch with 0.1 seconds to go, scoring the incredible buzzer-beater to hand USA their second Gold Medal in the competition with a 21 - 20 victory.
Hamby's standout tournament performance, leading her team in scoring with 33 points and making a significant impact on defense, earned her the well-deserved MVP Honors. Her dynamic play and leadership were pivotal in Team USA's success.Vitoria Marcelino from Brazil, the top scorer, played a crucial role in securing the silver medal for her team. Canada's Paige Crozon, contributing 35 points, was instrumental in clinching the bronze. Together, these outstanding players form the Women's Team of the Tournament, leaving a lasting mark on the basketball world with their exceptional performances.
