Paraguay Rallies to Beat Venezuela in U16 Opener
Paraguay overcame a 13-point deficit to secure a 62-60 victory in the FIBA U16 AmeriCup South American Qualifiers.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Basketball
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Paraguay opened the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2027 South American Qualifiers with a narrow 62-60 win over Venezuela. The comeback was fueled by a dominant fourth quarter where Paraguay outscored their opponents 23-11.
Why it matters
This victory marks a critical start for Paraguay in the continental qualification tournament. By overcoming a double-digit deficit, the team establishes early momentum heading into the remainder of the group stage.
Noah Young led Paraguay with 26 points, while Venezuela's Jhon Sanchez recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Paraguay secured the win after trailing by 10 entering the final frame.
The players
Noah Young
He is a primary offensive contributor for Paraguay who scored 26 points in the opening tournament game.
Jhon Sanchez
He is a key player for Venezuela who registered 15 points and 15 rebounds in the contest.
The details
Paraguay surged in the final minutes, with Noah Young scoring eight points in the last 2:56 of the match to overcome Venezuela. Despite leading for the first three quarters, Venezuela was unable to hold off the late offensive push at the Gimnasio Municipal de Castro.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Game played at Gimnasio Municipal de Castro.
October 22, 2026: Venezuela plays Chile.
October 23, 2026: Paraguay plays Uruguay.
October 25, 2026: Tournament concludes.
Season Trajectory
This opening win positions Paraguay favorably in the early stages of the FIBA U16 AmeriCup qualification path. The outcome forces Venezuela to quickly adjust their strategy ahead of their next match to maintain playoff contention.
Paraguay gains crucial points in the tournament standings with this comeback victory. Venezuela must now improve their late-game execution to avoid falling behind in the race for qualification.
The takeaway
Maintaining composure during the final minutes of a game is essential for overcoming double-digit deficits in tournament play. Coaches and young players can look to Paraguay's fourth-quarter surge as a practical example of high-pressure basketball execution.
What happens next
Venezuela plays Chile on October 22, 2026, and Paraguay faces Uruguay on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on tournament progression, visit the Basketball section.
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