#FIBAAmericasWomen2015 - Local favorites ready to redeem themselves in title game
by: FIBA
EDMONTON (2015 FIBA Americas Women’s Championship) - Canada have a glorious opportunity to make up for missing out on the FIBA Americas Women's Championship two years ago in Xalapa.
In what is a repeat of the 2013 Final against Cuba, Lisa Thomaidis and her players on Sunday will be hoping they can go one better this time and make it onto the top step of the podium.
Not only would it exact revenge on Cuba for the painful 79-71 defeat two years ago, it would also mean Canada adding to their recent Pan-Am Games success and making it a golden 2015 double with their first FIBA Americas Women’s Championship title in 20 years.
The omens are good, since they were playing on home soil in 1995 and also played Cuba in the Final that day too.
Canada have momentum and head into the game as favorites having breezed to big wins in most of their games and with so many players finding great form and stepping up to the plate.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe was a prime example after leading led the way with a mesmerizing 18 points in Saturday's 83-66 Semi-Final win against Brazil.
The Canadian bench pitched in with 30 points and that tells the story of the kind of depth that Canada have in their ranks - with dangers all over the floor.
As for Cuba, they showed on Mexican soil last time out that when it comes to the biggest game of all, they have the players to shine.
Clenia Noblet was a colossus in the 89-79 Semi-Final win against Argentina and she will be one of the main contributors - as will 2013 MVP Yamara Amargo and the likes of Oyanaisy Gelis and Leidys Oquendo.
The quartet all delivered double-digit returns in the previous Final and with Indedis Casanova dishing out a remarkable 7.5 assists per game from the backcourt, Canada will be acutely aware that they will have to be on top form to live up to their billing as favorites. And, they will take little notice of having already beaten Cuba 92-43 earlier in the competition.
It will need Miranda Ayim to play strongly in the paint and perhaps big displays from exciting and dynamic guard duo Miah-Marie Langlois and Kia Nurse.
With a direct ticket to next year's Rio Olympics also on offer, it promises to be a spectacular conclusion to the action in Edmonton.
Prior to the showpiece encounter, the Third-Place Game will see Brazil trying to make up for their 73-69 loss to Argentina earlier in the competition.
It will also see them looking to secure a place on the podium for an eye-catching tenth successive edition of the tournament.
Go to fiba.com/Americaswomen2015 for full coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship.
