It is the last stop on the final climb, that inevitable objective, impossible for everyone to avoid. Athens. Gustavo Peirone’s team starts the final key of the Northern Conference of the Argentine League on Saturday against the surprising Sportivo Suardi. The first match of the series is played from 8:30 p.m. at the Carlos Cerutti Sports Center and can be seen on BasquetPass TV.
Six victories separate the Green from their return to the National League. Little and a lot for the General Bustos neighborhood club that hopes to return to the elite of Argentine basketball from the very moment it fell, in the first minutes of May 17 from last year.
The second match of the series will be on Monday, at 9 p.m., also at Cerutti. The key will continue on Saturday, May 30 at the Gigante de la Avenida de Suardi, and if necessary the fourth game will be played on June 1 at the same venue. While the fifth and decisive match is scheduled for May 4 at Cerutti. The winner of this key will be measured for promotion with the winner of the final of the Southern Conference between Racing de Chivilcoy and Villa Miter de Bahía Blanca.
Atenas made a leap of growth in the playoffs, mainly since the quarterfinal series with Salta Basket. After being on the brink of elimination, they solidified collectively, improved their defense and won after five tough games, and in the semifinals they “swept away” Rivadavia Basket with the goal, always, of promotion.
“From the start we knew it would be like this throughout the season. We are facing it with a lot of work. We work hard to bring Athens where it deserves to be, to reach high places,” he highlighted. The voice Juan Cruz Oberto, the “engine” of the team.
The pivot from Las Varillas, who dominated the series against the Mendoza team in the paint with 16.3 points and 15.3 rebounds, will be key against the Santa Fe team. “Suardi plays well, they have known each other for a long time, they won both playoff series 3-0. We must go in firmly to play, take advantage of the home field with the people who support us. We must go step by step and take advantage of the fact that we have the home field advantage,” analyzed Oberto.
The Santa Fe force
Sportivo Suardi is playing its first season in the Argentine League after arriving from the Federal League. And they got into the Conference finals after “sweeping” their two playoff series: 3-0 against GEPU de San Luis and 3-0 against Bario Parque. “We still haven’t fully realized that we are in this instance and against this rival. Atenas is the top candidate for promotion and the most successful in the history of the National League,” he confessed to The voice Andrés Poi, coach of the Santa Fe team.
Suardi’s defensive strength brought them into the series with Atenas. He showed his defensive virtues in the regular phase and deepened them in the playoffs. “El Sportivo” is a scoring machine, allowing just 56 points to rivals in both series. “Our bastion is defense,” said Poi.
“We arrived very well, with good rhythm, with high self-esteem. With a streak of results and performance, with important solidity and physically with all the players in good shape. With expectations for what is to come,” added the coach.
“El Zurdo” Poi described Atenas: “It is a team with a lot of experience, it has hierarchy and it prepared for this. Atenas grew as the competition progressed, it is in a good moment, it is in the moment to show what it is for.”
The history between Atenas and Suardi
Atenas and Suardi were the hosts of the opening match of the 2023/2024 season of the Argentine League. On October 14 of last year, at the Carlos Cerutti Sports Center, the cast led by Gustavo Peirone won for 80-73 with Oberto as a figure with 21 points plus 7 edges. Seconded by Lucas Arn, with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Luciano Lizarraga was Suardi’s best with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
The return match was played in the town of Santa Fe on March 7, 2024, also with a victory for Atenas by 81-75, with captain Arn outstanding with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, accompanied by José Montero with 13 points. 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Gastón Fino, with 16 points and 8 rebounds, stood out at home.
