Puerto Rico and host Colombia triumph in 3x3 at Junior Pan American Games 2021

CALI (Colombia) - Puerto Rico continued their bounce back year in 3x3 with victory in the men's Junior Pan American Games on December 2-5, while Colombia's women proved to be the host with the most. 

The competition's first ever event featured some of the best 3x3 talent on the continent and comprised 16 men's U23 teams and 12 women's U23 teams.

The action packed event was filled with nonstop spectacular plays and heart-stopping finishes. 

Let's recap this four-day spectacle. 

The winners: Puerto Rico (men's)

Seeing the return of Puerto Rico flat out dominating 3x3 has been more emotional than the ending of No Time To Die. No spoilers needed here, as Puerto Rico has been on a mission to re-stake their 3x3 flag with San Juan PCI Group taking the FIBA 3x3 World Tour by storm this season. 

And they've inspired the next generation with Puerto Rico going all the way in Cali despite a tough 21-20 loss to Venezuela in the pool stage.

Then things got really interesting in the knockout stages when they beat Uruguay 18-16 in a quarter-final thriller before their chances of taking the title took a major hit.

Luis Rivera Rosario, their top scorer in a 21-5 opening rout of British Virgin Islands, was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to injury meaning Puerto Rico didn't have a sub. 

Fear not because Puerto Rico have a bucket load of guts and showed their fighting spirit with a 21-19 win over Dominican Republic in the semis. Rising 22-year-old Adrian Ocasio was the hero with a winning free throw to secure Puerto Rico's spot in the gold medal game. 

In the Final, Puerto Rico were out for revenge against Venezuela who had taken the tournament by storm with an unbeaten record led by highlight machine Ernesto Hernandez.

The 23-year-old had a monster dunk in the semis against Chile only to top that with an insane poster against Puerto Rico as Venezuela fancied their chances to go all the way. 

But Ocasio, who played in last month's first ever FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup and for Mayaguez (PUR) in the Mexico City Masters, showed why he was the best player in Cali with a game-high 11 points, including the dagger from deep. 

The three-man Puerto Rico prevailed 20-18 in an epic final and ensured one of 3x3's pioneers continued their comeback year in style. 

In the bronze, you guessed it - another thriller! Chile pulled out a 17-16 victory over Dominican Republic in an instant classic.

Big man Aitor Pickett dominated in the paint with a game-high 11 to lead Chile, who also boasted Lucas Thiebaut - a talented 22-year-old who played for the senior team in the AmeriCup in Miami. 

Final Standings:
Gold. Puerto Rico 
Silver. Venezuela 
Bronze. Chile 
4. Dominican Republic
5. Uruguay 

The winners: Colombia (women's)

Aided by their home fans, Colombia brought plenty of cheer to Cali with an unbeaten run where they stormed into the final.

The deadly combination of Carolina Lopez and her silky smooth handles and the towering 6ft. 6in. (1.97m) Yuliany Paz scorched opponents as Colombia were never threatened leading up to the gold medal game. 

In the final, Colombia finally met their match with Dominican Republic providing stiff opposition.

Yenifer Jimenez hit clutch buckets as Dominican Republic eyed an upset but Paz - the standout player in Cali - proved the hero with a game-high 8 points as Colombia prevailed 20-17 to win gold. 

In the bronze, Argentina overcame Chile 21-19 in another exciting contest with 20-year-old Candela Gentinetta showing more skill than Messi with an incredible 12 points.

She hit the winning bucket to trigger scenes of jubilation from Argentina who also boasted young gun Sofia Acevedo.  

The 20-year-old scored 7 points in the bronze medal game in a re-emergence for her on the big stage in 3x3 having previously played at the Youth Olympics 2018 in Buenos Aires. 

Final Standings:
Gold. Colombia
Silver. Dominican Republic
Bronze. Argentina
4. Chile 
5. Uruguay 

In the mixed shoot out contest, the women reigned supreme with Jovanka Ljubetic of Chile taking out gold, while Acevedo added to her collection of medals with silver. Mexico's Hermann Arvizu claimed the bronze. 

FIBA