Argentina overpowers Puerto Rico, get closer to the World Cup

FORMOSA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — Argentina managed a valuable victory as locals at Estadio Cincuentenario in Formosa, after winning Puerto Rico, 106-84, in their second game of the second phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.

Nicolás Laprovittola and Gabriel Deck were the outstanding players for the winning team, with 21 points each. The small forward was a doubles figure with his 11-rebound contribution (6 defensively). Also, captain Luis Scola added 20 units and 9 rebounds, Marcos Delía collaborated with 15 points (6/6 2 Pts. and 3/3 in free throws), while Facundo Campazzo contributed 11 points more. José Juan Barea was the best for the visiting team with his 24-point and 5-assists contribution, followed by Gian Clavell with 13 points and David Huertas with 10.

Argentina defeated Mexico (78-74) as visitors and Puerto Rico at home in the current phase to continue to lead their zone’s positions with a 7-1 record at the top of Group E. Puerto Rico, for their part, defeated Panama with 82-73 as locals, and now with their loss against Argentina, their record is set at 5-3.

“We were all very good, we were talking in the pregame of enjoying the match and we made a lot of points. We played a very beautiful game. Something like this happened to us in Uruguay and we never decreased our intensity. We were adding up and competing during the 40 minutes, and that's a trait that this group has,” said Laprovittola.

“We're hungry for the glory and we want to keep that always. This (game) and the one against Uruguay, as visitors, were the two key games. Today we played very well. We're just a little step away. We have to go back home and continue in this level in our respective teams until November, no matter who are (back here),” added the point guard, who played one of his best games of the Qualifiers.

A first quarter that was very equal and variations by an Argentina that started to make their presence felt in the paint (3/3). At the half of the quarter, Puerto Rican point guard José Juan Barea came in, started to take important decisions, and made an impressive goal count, ending with 8 points. But at the end, Argentina took the reigns mainly thanks to Gabriel Deck, who was almost a double figure in just one quarter (with 8 points and 7 rebounds), thus leaving the score at 20-18 by the end of the first quarter, with Scola (6) and Campazzo (4) as leaders.

During the second quarter, Argentina were solid and established the largest difference since the beginning (28-20), barely allowing the visiting team 19 points, thanks to a strong defense that hindered the Puerto Rican team's possibility, despite Barea’s entrance and Gian Clavell’s performance -- which reduced the difference. This quarter was marked by the technical and personal fouls. Laprovittola, however, was essential with three 3-pointers (13 points) and the locals won the quarter 36-19 (56-37). Argentina made 23 rebounds and Puerto Rico, 12.

Argentina once again dominated the quarter, especially in the paint, with a clear difference of 32-21 that closed the third quarter. Without lowering the intensity and scores, even achieving 8-0 in just one minute and a maximum difference of 33 (84-51), with 11/18 in field goals, the third act closed with Argentina up by 30 points (88-58).

The difference in the last quarter was 26-18, favoring the Boricuas, but victory already had a name.

For his part, small forward Gabriel Deck commented: “We drew a wide margin, and, to the team's merit, they were aggressive the whole time. It was a good tactic by Sergio Hernández. It went very good, the team did well in general terms and we're happy. All of the players can score and contribute a lot to the national team and that happened with more players, not only with Campazzo, he needs the help.”

The team led by Sergio Hernández captured 41 rebounds (29 defensive) and passed 22 assists, while also achieving 27 of 36 two-pointers (75%) and 11 of 32 three-pointers (34.38). They also scored more than half of their field goals (38-68). The side coached by Eddie Casiano threw 35.93% from the three-point area (7/27) and 46.48% in field goals (33/71). As for two-pointers, they did 26 of 44 and captured 26 rebounds (17 defensive) and did 15 assists.

The two national teams will collide again, but on Puerto Rican territory, on February 22 of the next year, during the third stage of the Qualifiers. Their aspirations of obtaining the ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup are still intact.

FIBA