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Colombian female basketball continues to write golden pages. This time, the U16 team, under the direction of Professor Ricardo Pinzón, achieved a historical feat: he beat Argentina 44-39 and secured its classification to the U17 World Cup next year.
It was not another game. It was an intense, physical and tactical battle, where each possession fought as if it were the last. The low score clearly reflects the tenor of the encounter: the defense was absolute queen, side and side.
The game began with errors, robberies and rebounds disputed with fury. None of the teams managed to detach or impose rhythm. In the first quarter, the points came to droppers. For more than two minutes the score did not move from 0-0. The first shout of basket was waiting until Francisca Canello opened the tanter for Argentina with a float after an assistance from Santina Cherot.
Colombia responded with a burst of Alisson Restrepo, who led from the free line and under the ring, leading the first offensives with courage, although with low effectiveness (15.4% in field shots). The inaccuracies multiplied: losses, violations of the regulation, wrong shots. The atmosphere was early.
The second quarter kept the same script. Maily Saavedra dominated the boards (16 rebounds), although his aim was elusive (2 of 15 in pitches). Keren Bertel, with 8 points and 5 rebounds, was key at times where Argentina pressed. The entrance of Shery Montaño gave air and presence: he did not fail a shot and contributed 7 points and 6 rebounds in just 22 minutes.
The Colombian defense was total. They forced 21 ball losses to the rival and won the battle of the rebounds (48 in total). In the third quarter a break was felt: Argentina tried to accelerate with Florence Losada and Sofía Massa, but Colombia closed spaces, covered pass lines and did not allow easy shots.
In the last quarter, with just a few points of difference, everything was reduced to concentration and delivery. Maria Mendez was fundamental from the bank, with 7 points and an effectiveness of 66.7% in two shots. Maria Millan also added with 6 points and 6 rebounds, showing solidity in the painting.
Argentina pressed until the end, but Colombia responded with Temple. Each rebound, each foul caused, each point from the free line counted. When the final chicharra sounds, ours hugged in tears and screams: they were classified to the World Cup.
More than a party, it was a demonstration of character, preparation and love for the shirt. Ricardo Pinzón and his coaching staff wove a plan that the players executed with total delivery. Winning with only 44 points in a game of this level is no accident: it is the result of work, tactical discipline and a competitive mentality.
Colombia will be in the World Cup U17. And it will arrive not only as a participant, but as a team that showed that he knows how to suffer, fight and win.
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