Brazil beat Argentina 55-47 to win the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 before a packed crowd at the Polideportivo in Managua, Nicaragua.
Dominating from start to finish, Brazil’s superior speed and athleticism held Argentina to 15, 9, 11 and 12 points in the quarters. The total of 102 points was the lowest in any game of the tournament, and the lowest in a FIBA AmeriCup final.
With both teams recovering from semi-final heroics a day earlier, Brazil made only 9 of 35 from long range while Argentina made only 4 of 27 threes. Brazil forced 15 turnovers.
Argentina only made one of two free throw attempts, tying the fewest attempts and makes in any AmeriCup game since 2003.
Coach Aleksandar Petrovic (a Croat) led Brazil to its first title since 2009 and fifth overall in the AmeriCup, where they lost the final to Argentina in 2021. “Our goal for today’s game was to shut down Vildoza, Corbalán, and Brussino and we did it. They had no chance. Our defense was exceptional,” said Petrovic. “I’ve always told the team that offense can win you a single game, but to win the title, you have to defend. I’m very happy because we did that, we managed to switch our mindset.”
Gonzalo Corbalan, one of the best players in the tournament, made only 3 of 15 shots for Argentina.
Juan Fernandez picked up 3 early fouls and scored only 2 points. Jose Vildoza scored 8 points on 11 shots.
Francisco Cáffaro led Argentina with 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting but didn’t get the calls he was looking for.
Yago Santos was quiet early in the game but finished with 14 points (3 triples) and 5 assists.
Bruno Caboclo followed with 11 points and 7 rebounds, and he altered many drives andshots by Argentina.
Gui Deodato added 9 and Vitor Benite chipped in 8 for Brazil.
Lucas Dias contributed 8 boards, 3 steals, 1 block, and 5 assists, while Georginho De Paula had 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 5 blocks (a finals record).
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Brazil’s second unit Alexey Borges, Reynan Santos and Benite led a 10-2 run to stretch the lead to 52-38 with five minutes left.
After Argentina made a 7-0 run, Captain Benite hit a three to put Brazil ahead 55-45 with 1:53 remaining to secure the victory.
Yago, named tournament MVP, led the All-Star Five alongside Caboclo, Argentina’s Juan Fernández, USA’s Javonte Smart, and Canada’s Kyshawn George.
Yago said that Brazil’s comeback against the United States in the semi-finals boosted their confidence heading into the final. “For me, we had already been champions in yesterday’s game. Regardless of how today turned out, I didn’t see us losing because of everything we achieved yesterday and the way we were playing— how united we were,” Yago said. “We need to look at everything each player did here and feel proud of winning a title.”
Globalite Magazine 
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