By Marcelo Solari
Peñarol was close. He played a very good match against the great candidate and it was not enough. Quimsa from Santiago del Estero beat him 83 to 75 and went ahead 2 to 1 in the series that both hold for the quarterfinals of the National Basketball League.
It was a key match for the future of the tie. That’s how they both understood it and played it with determination. And even with a certain nervousness or anxiety to attack, which added to the correct defensive posture of both generated numerous problems in scoring on both sides.
In this context, Quimsa managed to establish a minimum of superiority, capitalizing on the cuts along the axis with good interior passes and some timely appearances by Brandon Robinson (he was later injured).
In Peñarol, Víctor Fernández’s good level on both sides of the court collided with an obstacle that was difficult to resolve: outside aim. In the first 15 minutes of play, he had barely made 1/10 of his three-pointers.
Although the people of Santiago also started cold in that area, they adjusted their sights more quickly. And as soon as that happened, they established the first appreciable advantages of the match. Especially on the side of Emiliano Basabe.
In that period, the current champion of the National League displayed a longer and more productive rotation, and with more variations it established itself with an advantage of more than 10 points (32-18), while Peñarol was locked in the labyrinth of the He hesitates between adjusting on the perimeter or protecting his zone. Thus, some defensive imbalances arose that Quimsa transformed into points with very good percentages. On the contrary, without a perimeter shot, Peñarol was not helped by his visits to the free-kick line and was even more complicated by Joaquín Valinotti’s third personal foul, at 2:30 of the second quarter.
Even in adversity, Peñarol showed a certain rebellion. The standout from the game was Diamon Simpson, with points and rebounds. But Quimsa had already assumed the position of dominating him with authority. He kept Al Thornton under close surveillance, made every possession count (he barely lost 2 balls in the entire first half), made frequent hits from outside and took a 20-point lead into the locker room.
The unfavorable development had also managed to dampen the fervor of the people. But a vigorous reaction from the “milrayitas”, led by Fernández and a great defensive effort, ignited the crowd again and the local team seemed to tip the balance towards their side in the third quarter. The gap was reduced from 20 to 8 (48-56) with much still ahead.
In any case, Juan Brussino returned to the court and the point guard took charge of the situation. Quimsa made better decisions and executions, regained defensive solidity and partially quelled the home team’s recovery.
In front was the current champion and number one in the regular phase. Therefore, even though the “milrayitas” started the final quarter well, it was difficult for them to reduce the disadvantage to single digits. Quimsa, with an inspired Brussino, the intelligence of Basabe and the growth of Tayavek Gallizzi almost always had a resource at hand.
But Peñarol responded. Before entering the final 3 minutes, Fernández and Thornton combined to assert good defensive management and Peñarol closed it to 73-79. Never this close since the first quarter.
However, in the final stretch, Quimsa had the necessary arguments to stop the momentum of those led by Hernán Laginestra. And in this way recover the home field advantage. Peñarol never gave up. He ended up defeated but with his people standing applauding. And with the hope intact for the fourth game of the series, scheduled for this Saturday at 9 p.m., again at the “Islas Malvinas” Sports Center.
Synthesis
Penarol 75
J. Valinotti 8, V. Fernández 22, T. Mohnacchi 6, A. Thornton 14 and D. Simpson 14 (FI). J. Morales 7, F. Filippa 4, O. Sarmiento 0, F. Tolosa 0. Coach: Hernán Laginestra.
Quimsa 83
J. Brussino 17, B. Robinson 6 (injured), E. Basabe 14, F. Ramírez Barrios 11 and T. Gallizzi 13 (x) (FI). E. Vasirani 10, B. Sansimoni 6, F. Rolfi 4, S. Acevedo 2, F. Zezular 0. DT: Leandro Ramella.
Stadium: “Islas Malvinas” sports center.
Referees: Fabricio Vito, Diego Rougier and Gonzalo Delsart.
Partials: 11-15, 29-49 and 53-65.
