Puerto Rico U18 Women 65 – 84 Venezuela U18 Women
America U18 Women’s Championship – June 11, 2026

Venezuela’s U18 women’s team secured an impressive 84–65 victory over Puerto Rico in a pivotal group stage matchup. The win propelled Venezuela into contention for a top‑two finish in the group, while Puerto Rico suffered a setback after a promising start to the tournament.

Match Overview

From the second quarter onward, Venezuela seized control with a potent inside‑outside attack. Puerto Rico stayed within striking distance early, trailing by only six points at halftime, but Venezuela’s defensive intensity ratcheted up in the third quarter. A 12‑2 run to open the second half effectively broke the game open, and Puerto Rico never recovered.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter surge: Venezuela outscored Puerto Rico 28–16 in the third period, turning a close contest into a comfortable lead.
• Three‑point barrage: Venezuela connected on 11 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc, with guard Gabriela Rivas hitting 5 of 8.
• Foul trouble: Puerto Rico’s starting center picked up her fourth foul early in the third quarter, limiting her defensive impact.

Standout Players

Venezuela: Forward Ana Martínez posted a double‑double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Rivas added 19 points and 4 assists.
Puerto Rico: Shooting guard Valentina Cruz led all scorers with 24 points, but she received little support from her teammates.

Tournament Implications

The victory places Venezuela in a strong position to advance as one of the group’s top seeds. Puerto Rico, now 1‑1, must win its final group game to avoid a potentially tougher quarterfinal matchup.