Argentina celebrates in Panama — now focused on the top

SAN JUAN, ARGENTINA (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) —Argentina overpowered Panama with no inconveniences (87-62) in their debut at Aldo Cantoni Stadium in San Juan at Group A of the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

The local team showed their supremacy and strength by winning all quarters and now hold a 4-1 record. Meanwhile, Panama (2-3) are now facing a complicated possibility of qualifying and should win against Paraguay —also as visitors— to fight for their spot in the next step.

Patricio Garino was the greatest scorer with 20 points (3/3 in 3PTs, 4/5 in 2 PTs and 7.8 in free throws), and achieved 3 rebounds, 3 assists and an efficiency rate of 26; followed by Luis Scola with 14 points and 4 rebounds, and Marcos Delía (13 points and 9 rebounds). As for the visiting team, Trevor Gaskin’s (5/10 in 2PTs, 3/7 in 3PTs) 19 points and 4 rebounds, as well as the 13 points and 9 rebounds by Javier Carter were not enough. Neither were Michal Hicks’ 11 units.

The result of the first quarter favored the locals 19-14, with good performances by Patricio Garino (10 points, 2 3PTs), Facundo Campazzo (5 assists), 5 points by Luis Scola and 4 by Marcos Delía. Argentina started off better, but were not able to establish a larger difference after a powerful start with a good defense, and by ensuring the rebounds. Javier Carter, with 5 points, was the outstanding player for the visiting team, followed by Jaime Lloreda and Michael Hicks.

Many losses and low-efficiency throws in the second quarter, which ended 19-13. A 3-pointer by Trevor Gaskin (the first quarter's scorer, with 14 points) placed the Central American Team at one possession. Argentina were not able to score until their captain, Luis Scola, broke the drought and alongside a 2-pointer by Facundo Campazzo, achieved a 9-0 quarter and the maximum distance of the encounter (38-27), and thus the conclusion of this period.

The third quarter closed the difference at the beginning, but the locals managed to establish a wide margin of a maximum of 20 points (58-38) and 17 points at the end, thus ending in the lead with two 2-pointers by Scola, which at the time added 14 points, 24-18 (62-45).

Panama coach Manolo Hussein suggested his players to have a bit of attitude and defensive character; while Sergio Hernández requested more aggressivenes despite the wide margin. Finally, the score favored the hosts, who never left their intensity out of the game. Because of this victory, they continue at the top of the positions, with a 4-1 record.

The Argentine squad threw a 37.04% from the three-point area (10 of 27) and 45.76% in field goals; while capturing 48 rebounds (32 defensive) and executing 23 assists. The Panamanians captured 41 rebounds and only did 5 assists during the whole encounter. They only achieved 16 of 42 2-point shots (38.1%) and 5 of 20 3-point shots (25%).

Argentina will visit Uruguay at Montevideo on July 1st, there they will struggle for the top against the locals. Meanwhile, Panama will travel to Asunción to play against Paraguay and define their qualification.

FIBA