The “Fusion” displayed their best basketball in the second quarter and then knew how to maintain the difference. NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Quimsa regained his smile in Mar del Plata, where he defeated Peñarol 93 to 85 to be one win away from being among the four best in the 2023/24 season of the National League.
Leandro Ramella’s team played a very tough game, based on great defensive work and a good selection of offensive shots that allowed them to finish with four players scoring in double figures.
Juan Ignacio Brussino was the MVP of the game. The point guard from Santa Fe finished with 17 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in 21:18 minutes to reach a PIR of 21.
The “Fusión” displayed their best basketball in the second quarter, with Brussino and Basabe as their most reliable options on offense and with an aggressive defense to contain Valinotti, Fernández, Thorton and Simpson, the local figures.
Quimsa won the first two sets (15 to 11 and 34 to 18) to go into the long break with a 20-point lead (49 to 29). However, in the third quarter Peñarol returned to the game with a defensive improvement that allowed them to play more comfortably in attack. The partial ended with a victory for “Milrayitas” by 24 to 16 to extend the suspense.
In the last quarter, Ramella’s team relied on Brussino’s leadership and the strength of its inmates to maintain a gap of between 8 and 12 points in the score. And in the closing he showed all his skill and personality to ensure the victory.
Tomorrow they will meet again at the Islas Malvinas Sports Center, where Quimsa will try to seal qualification for the semifinals. On the other hand, if Peñarol wins there will be a fifth decisive game in Santiago del Estero.
Brandon Robinson suffered an injury in the second quarter and did not return, making it unlikely that he will be available for tomorrow’s game.
Peñarol 75 (1), Quimsa 83 (2)
Peñarol: Joaquín Valinotti 8, Víctor Fernández 22, Tomás Monacchi 6, Willie Thorton 14, Diamon Simpson 14 (fi); Facundo Tolosa 0, Julián Morales 7, Francisco Filippa 4 and Octavio Sarmiento 0. Coach: Hernán Laginestra.
Quimsa: Juan Ignacio Brussino 17, Brandon Robinson 6, Emiliano Basabe 14, Fabián Ramírez Barrios 11, Tayavek Gallizi 13 (fi); Fortunato Rolfi 4, Bruno Sansimoni 6, Federico Zezular 0, Eduardo Vasirani 10 and Sebastián Acevedo 2. Coach: Leandro Ramella.
Stadium: Malvinas Islands Sports Center (Mar del Plata). Referees: Fabricio Vito, Diego Rougier and Gonzalo Delsart. Partials: 11/15, 18/34, 24/16 and 22/18.
