That overwhelming Peñarol that excelled in the second game as a visitor to even the quarterfinal series suffered a defeat tonight by 85 to 73 in the first match at home, where Quimsa demonstrated all its power and settled into “match-point” mode, with the option of ending the series right here, this Saturday.
The Isla Malvinas sports center had a spectacular setting, packed with local fans. The visitor got more than 20 points towards the start of the second half, after a start in which the last champion moved firmly at the beginning, in a duel of defenses that led to low scoring, and little by little the advantage.
For the Mar del Plata team, the aim was elusive and the search for triples as a shortcut was not the best way. Stick and stick that way, Julián Morales was right to put the score up and Sansimoni soon responded, to show that it was not going to be an easy night. The quarter would close 15-11 for Quimsa, thanks to an accurate three-point shot by “Chule”.
And he accelerated in the second quarter to take advantage. It was immediately 26-15 with success at the rim and outstanding defense: coordinated and aggressive to make Peñarol as uncomfortable as possible. In addition, Valinotti added his third foul.
Peñarol, with the return of its starters, was able to score and get within 14 with two minutes left, although Quimsa continued to show a solid performance. To make matters worse, he found a couple of triples that gave him peace of mind (45-27). At the back he continued to bother Valinotti and Thornton and reduced the local attack to a minimum. The first half whistle came at 47-27.
He managed to score up to 23 at the start of the second half, where after a while it was 52-39, despite an 8 to 0 score by Peñarol who tried but couldn’t reach it. It progressed, it is true, with the offensive prominence of Fernández and a defense that at times gave in for a comeback that added up, but was not enough. The third ended with a 65-33 score that marked course and destiny.
In the last one, the Santiago team started better planted and clearer in the face of the Peñarolense attack. In two and a half minutes he scored 14 and was leaving. But the packed sports center lifted the team that showed fiber, pride and history: they scored often and narrowed it to 77-69.
People explode with a triple from Fernández and good defenses, to the limit. A 79 to 73 marks the great reaction of the quarter. There were two minutes and a bit more left. But the champion appeared and that poise to handle the difference. It was victory. It could be worst. This Saturday, at 9 p.m., for Peñarol it will be all or nothing.
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