Athens He showed, once again, his enormous personality. The one that allowed him to endure the “pressure of having to be promoted no matter what” from the first game of the season. The one that he had to display in every very complicated game that he had to play in the playoffs to be able to reach the final of the Argentine League. And last night he demonstrated it again. In Chivilcoy, he beat Racing 74-68 and now dominates the best-of-five final series for promotion to the National League 2-1.
He built his triumph from less to more. He began stunned by the deafening noise of the crowd that filled the Grilon Arena and the good local defense. But little by little he got into the game, with his improvement at the back and the appearance of Lucas Arn in all his dimension from the second quarter onwards.
The captain’s is key. He has been showing it in each of the games. He had 25 points, five rebounds and four assists last night. But it was also vital that other options appear in attack. First Oberto (8 points and six rebounds). Then, Zurchmitten (14 points, six rebounds and six assists). Also Ware (12 units and six recoveries). Thus, he built a key victory and was one win away from promotion to the National League.
On Monday, at 9 p.m., the fourth point of this series will be played. If Athens wins, it will be champion and return to the elite. If Racing wins, there will be a fifth game in Córdoba on Friday.
The match
The first quarter started with great intensity. The euphoria in the stands carried over to the playing field. They started playing hard, but with Atenas looking to slow down the game a little, so as not to get into the frenzy that Racing proposed, and looking for the extra pass.
Likewise, it cost ‘Griego’ who was left without a goal in the end. He finished 0/5 in triples. The local team took advantage of it and took the first place 19-14.
Green started the second segment better. A couple of recoveries, with their subsequent runs, and the thing was 19-18 in just 47 seconds. However, after the timeout, Racing recomposed his image. He took a seven lead (25-18) defending very well and transferring that confidence to his attack. But the Greek reappeared with a protagonist who was “covered.” The Greek was 0/9 in triples, until Arn’s arrived, who appeared on the scene. And a triple came from Montero, another from Arn and the visitor took the lead 34-31.
Atenas went from 0/9 in triples in the first quarter to 6/7 in the second. Thus, they went into the long break 45-38. Arn, who only scored in this quarter, added 14 points and three assists.
In the third, Athens maintained its differences. He seemed calm in the game, prevented Racing’s reaction and silenced the clamorous home crowd a bit. 61-54, Green up.
The last quarter was very close. Racing did the rest and reduced it to one (65-66), averaging the segment. The game became very difficult and both of them struggled with the ball and their decision making. But Athens closed it better. He celebrated and was one win away from returning to the National League.
The march of the final series
- Game 1. Athens 80-Racing 72
- Game 2. Athens 67-Racing 73
- Game 3. Racing 68-Athens 74
- Game 4. June 17 at 9 p.m., in Chivilcoy
- Game 5. June 21 at 9 p.m., in Córdoba*
*If necessary
