The Argentine men’s basketball team fell 55-47 to Brazil in the AmeriCup final on Sunday. The team coached by former NBA player Pablo Prigioni was unable to repeat its 2022 conquest, while Brazil claimed its fifth crown.

It was a tight game with low scores. Argentina arrived on a high after comfortably beating Canada, one of the favorites, but struggled with its offense, netting just four out of 27 attempted three-point shots.

The key moments came in the last minutes. Argentina was down 52-38, but managed a seven-point run that put it within spitting distance of Brazil. Then, Brazilian captain Vitor Benite hit a three-point shot that gave the Verdeamarelha a 10-point lead and sealed the deal.

Despite the loss, Prigioni was optimistic about Argentina’s performance.

“The objective for this tournament was to give minutes to young players,” he said after the match. “We’re in a building process, and we’re looking to have them ready for the [World Cup qualifiers].”

The coach said he liked what he saw from his squad, and that it was the players group who decided they had what it took to go all the way, showing it in “the way they upped their game.”

“It wasn’t to be, but sometimes the ball just won’t go in. We’re leaving with good sensations, and proud of how this group has improved over the past 40 days,” he added.

It’s Brazil’s first continental title in 16 years. The team last won the title in Puerto Rico in 2009. It was also a payback against Argentina, who beat them at home in the 2022 final in Recife. The Verdemarelha now sits comfortably in second place in the tally of all-time AmeriCup winners, behind the United States, which has taken the title seven times.

Now, the objective for Prigioni and his team is the first set of 2027 Qatar FIBA World Cup Qualification games in November. As one of 12 teams that secured a spot in the final stage by reaching the AmeriCup, Argentina is part of Group D, alongside Uruguay, Panama and Cuba. The top three will move into the second stage, along with the three best teams in the other four groups