Semifinal Spots Secure for USA and Brazil

As the tension builds at the 2025 FIBA men's AmeriCup tournament in Nicaragua, the quarterfinals did not disappoint on Thursday. With four semifinal spots up for grabs, the spotlight shone brightly on the exhilarating matchups, particularly the highly anticipated game between the United States and Uruguay.

Brazil Tops Dominican Republic

The quarterfinal action kicked off with a thrilling showdown where Brazil faced off against the Dominican Republic. Initially, it appeared the Dominican Republic would take charge, racing to a 25-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, Brazil regrouped and took the lead by halftime, ultimately sealing a convincing 94-82 victory. Yago Santos stood out with an impressive performance, notching 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. His shooting was efficient, hitting 8-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Brazilian teammate Georginho De Paula also shined, leading all scorers with 28 points, complemented by seven assists and five rebounds. On the other side, the Dominican Republic struggled to find scoring balance, with no player exceeding 14 points as Brazil's defense effectively stifled their offense.

USA Overcomes Uruguay's Challenge

In another nail-biter, the United States faced a tough opponent in Uruguay. Entering halftime behind by seven points, the Americans ramped up their defensive efforts in the second half, ultimately prevailing with an 83-70 scoreline. Uruguay struggled with their shooting, finishing at just 36.76 percent from the field and a dismal 15 percent from three-point range, largely due to the United States' relentless defensive pressure. Jakonte Smart was the bright spot for the Americans, scoring a game-high 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting and dazzling from three-point land with 5-of-7. Zachary Auguste contributed solid support with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Jack Cooley dominated the boards, securing 12 rebounds to limit Uruguay's second-chance opportunities.

With these victories, both the United States and Brazil advance to the semifinals, just two wins away from clinching the AmeriCup title.