Colombia's basketball team started its FIBA 2027 World Cup qualifiers with an 80-78 victory over Venezuela in an intense match held in Cali. The game, packed with excitement, featured standout individual performances and a thrilling finish. Jaime Echenique emerged as the game's star with 17 points and 7 rebounds.
The match took place at the Coliseo Evangelista Mora in Cali on November 29, 2025. Colombia opened the scoring with a stepback three-pointer by Hansel Atencia, but Venezuela quickly tied it with Anyelo Cisneros. In the first quarter, Jaime Echenique contributed two spectacular dunks, though the Venezuelans, led by Michael Carrera, closed with a 27-22 lead.
In the second period, Braian Angola stepped up alongside Juan Diego Tello and Echenique, who is performing well with Pallacanestro Reggiana in Italy. Angola tied it with a putback, but Venezuela held the lead at halftime 48-45.
The third quarter was frantic: Colombia took the lead, but Venezuela tied at 56-56 and 60-60. Soren de Luque added from the free-throw line, Romario Roque with a three-pointer, and Atencia closed with a buzzer-beater for a 66-65 advantage for the hosts.
In the final quarter, Atencia nailed a key three-pointer, followed by a double from Andrés Ibargüen that extended it to 74-68. Though Windi Graterol and Carrera pressed for Venezuela, Ibargüen and Tello controlled the paint. With the margin at two points, coach Tomás Díaz drew up a play that freed Atencia for the decisive three, sealing the 80-78 win.
Echenique tallied 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 22 efficiency, establishing himself as the game's standout.