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UNITED STATES MAKES A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT IN BASKETBALL COMPETITION
People attended the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum very early and had fun with the camera recording the grandstands.
For many people, 5x5 basketball was the most expected sport at Lima 2019. There was a lot of expectation for Argentinian basketball team and “Team USA.” And so it was, United States defeated the US Virgin Islands (119-84) today in the opening match of Group A.
Early on, long lines of fans were formed around the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum to see the official opening of 5x5 Basketball competitions and the American team players who compete at the America East Conference.
Milco, the Lima 2019 official mascot, could not miss the match and was in the grandstands to take more than a selfie with the audience. Likewise, the camera recorded the grandstands during the break time.
The first 5x5 Basketball score points were from American Alpha Diallo(#11), who scored a three-points basket. However, the first score of the US Virgin Islands team led by Walter Hodge (#6), was one of the most applauded.
Then, jumps performed by David Duke Jr. and Diallo, the top scorer of the set with 20 points, were awarded with warm applauses.
The American team had the tallest player on the field, Geoffrey Grossell (2m12cm); meanwhile, Devon Peltier from the US Virgin Islands had the shortest player at 1m81cm.
At the end of the match, both teams left the field with well-deserved applause from the audience. It was a high-level Lima 2019 match.
The American team aims to win the gold medal again at the Pan American Games. The American team won bronze medal at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games behind Brazil (gold) and Canada (silver).
Basketball competitions will continue today starting at 13:30 when Puerto Rico plays against Venezuela in Group A. Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay and Dominican Republic are in Group B. Argentina will compete against Uruguay at 18:00. Also, Mexico will play against Dominican Republic from 21:00 to 23:30.
The second competition day will take place on Thursday, August 1 between US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico (10:30 - 13:00) and Dominican Republic vs. Argentina (13:00 - 16:00). Likewise, Uruguay and Mexico will compete from 18:00 to 20:30, Venezuela vs. United States from 21:00 to 23:30.