Canada lost 70-57 to the U.S. in the Americas Cup wheelchair basketball semifinal in Bogotá and will now battle Colombia for bronze.
Canada’s Medal Hopes Shift in Bogotá
Team Canada’s men’s wheelchair basketball squad saw its gold-medal hopes dashed Tuesday, falling 70-57 to the United States in the semifinals of the IWBF Americas Cup in Bogotá, Colombia.
Game Highlights
Canada started strong, edging ahead 15-14 after the opening quarter, but the Americans took control by halftime with a 32-28 lead. By the third quarter, the U.S. extended the margin to 49-43 and held firm through the final 10 minutes to secure victory.
Standout Performances
Colin Higgins led Canada with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Reed De’Aeth added 17 points and seven rebounds. Despite Canada winning the rebounding battle 43-34, U.S. scoring depth proved decisive. Jorge Salazar led the Americans with 13 points, while Paul Schulte, Kesean Paire, and Jeromie Meyer each contributed 12.
Next Match for Canada
With the semifinal loss, Canada now turns its focus to the bronze-medal matchup against host nation Colombia on Wednesday. The Colombians narrowly lost their semifinal 59-55 to Argentina, who will face the U.S. for gold.
Tournament Stakes
The Americas Cup serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championship, which will be hosted in Ottawa from Sept. 9–19. Argentina, the U.S., and Colombia secured direct qualification earlier in the week.
Canada’s Qualification Status
As host nation, Canada is already guaranteed a place at Ottawa 2026. Still, Wednesday’s bronze-medal game offers the team a chance to rebound quickly, end the tournament on a high note, and build momentum heading into the world championship.
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