Argentina, USA lead standings at Americas Cup

The shocker of the wheelchair basketball Americas Cup thus far has been Argentina’s upset of Paralympic champions Canada. 08 Aug 2013
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Argentina wheelchair basketball

Argentina's wheelchair basketball stunned Paralympic champions Canada in the group stage at the 2013 IWBF Americas Cup.

ⒸCopa America BSR 2013
By Nate Williams | For the IPC

The following morning, Argentina confirmed their spot at the top of Pool B with a dominant 83-38 display over Puerto Rico with the already qualified USA and Brazil earning their qualification for the next round with routine victories.

Three-time world champions USA and Argentina go into the playoffs for the 2013 IWBF Americas Cup as the top two teams, after finishing both finished their group rounds undefeated in Bogota, Colombia.

There are four qualifying places for next year’s World Championships in Incheon, South Korea up for grabs at the Americas Cup, and Argentina began their bid by upsetting Paralympic gold medallists Canada on the opening day.

Canada, who were without top-scorer Patrick Anderson, led by five at halftime with Nik Goncin and David Eng making good contributions to the scoreboard.

However, the Argentines, who had Adolfo Berdrum heading the top scorers list with 29 points, outscored their opponents in the final quarter to take a close and hard-fought five-point victory.

Earlier that day, Colombia opened the tournament by overwhelming Nicaragua by a comprehensive score of 85-27.

On day two of competition, there were no surprises as front runners USA and Argentina put 90 points past their respective opponents of Venezuela and Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Canada claimed a straightforward 67-23 result over Puerto Rico. But the game of the day was between evenly matched Brazil and Mexico where a winner had to be decided in overtime.

In a physically demanding performance, the precise shooting of the Brazilian players allowed them to come from behind and snatch a three-point 79-76 win over the Mexicans who were ahead for the majority of the match.

USA recorded their third-straight victory on day three to become the first team to advance to the quarter-finals with a 57-36 result over Brazil. There were more points earned for Colombia and Canada who cruised to comfortable wins over the bottom two sides Puerto Rico and Nicaragua, while Mexico defeated a spirited Venezuela side.

The following morning, Argentina confirmed their spot at the top of Pool B with a dominant 83-38 display over Puerto Rico with the already qualified USA and Brazil earning their qualification for the next round with routine victories.

However, Canada had to grind out a six-point win against a tough Colombia side to attain their place in the quarter-finals.

Complete results:

Day 1

Columbia 85, Nicaragua 27

Argentina 63, Canada 58

Day 2

USA 90, Venezuela 18

Argentina 90, Nicaragua 47

Canada 67, Puerto Rico 23

Brazil 79, Mexico 76

Day 3

Canada 61, Nicaragua 25

Mexico 69, Venezuela 50

USA 57, Brazil 36

Colombia 66, Puerto Rico 35

Day 4

Brazil 60, Venezuela 38

Argentina 83, Puerto Rico 38

USA 68, Mexico 38

Canada 49, Colombia 43