Argentina, Venezuela enter second window as top Group A contenders

MIAMI (United States) – Argentina together with Venezuela go into the second window of Group A FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers atop the table with two victories. Panama and Paraguay (0-2) will try to recover looking for their first wins in the competition as Argentina will host at the historic Obras Sanitarias Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Both teams head coaches are led by the Argentines Néstor "Che" García and Fernando Duró, will make their debut in the second round of the first day on February 25 (9:40 p.m. local time), in what will be a clash between the powers of the continent with a lot of history and background in a very special weekend that promises a full arena between home and visiting fans to encourage their teams, recreating a true South American classic in Argentine lands.

Argentina, which won two lopsided contests in the first phase, both by more than 20 points scoring more than 80-points each time, will count on the experience of shooting guard Carlos Delfino (16.5 points and 5.5 average assists in the first two games of the Qualifiers) and the return, after injury, of point guard Luca Vildoza.

“The opportunity to play in this window comes in handy. I haven't played in 5 months. Now, I feel good physically,” said Luca Vildoza in statements to his federation.

“I am happy to return to the National Team and I enjoy being one hundred percent healthy. I have a lot of desire and energy to play. The game versus Venezuela is going to be very tough. We have to pick up the pace and rebound well.”

 For its part, the squad led by Duró arrives in Buenos Aires with two experienced players, Heissler Guillent and Michael Carrera. The “Vinotinto” registered two wins in the first window, with an overall record of only three defeats playing away from home in their 14 games in the Qualifiers. Now they have the task of going through Argentina and Paraguay during this second phase.

“They are two different games. The motivation to play against Argentina, a power- they are a major rival. It gives us great pleasure to play against the best. We also know that the most important objective is Paraguay.” commented Duró, in a press conference prior to the second round.

Forward Garly Sojo is the leading scorer averaging 16 points per game and the only player coming off the bench who combined for more than 10 points and 5 rebounds in the last two games.

Looking for their first victory

The other game on day one in the second round will be played between Panama and Paraguay, both looking for their first wins (18:40, local time).

The Panamanian team won two previous meetings with Paraguay, despite not being able to score more than 56-points in their games of the last window, both against Venezuela (77-56 and 70-53).

Led by Puerto Rican Flor Meléndez, Panama traveled with 12- players but without Tony Bishop, Javier Carter or Akil Mitchell. Ernesto Oglivie returns as leader with hopes of gaining their first victories in Argentina. The small forward enters these games as his team's best scorer at 15- points per game in his two games while shooting 62-percent from the field in the November window, the second highest among all players in the Americas with 20 or more shots from the field.

"We are working hard and we are happy because we see progress," said Meléndez in statements with the Panamanian federation.

Paraguay seeks to overcome the winless results of the first phase, after losing its last eight games in the competition; six of those losses by 18 or more points, including the two against Argentina in November by more than 20 (93-67 and 82-43).

The Guarani team with head coach Juan Pablo Feliú, also of Argentine nationality, must improve from the free throw line where they scored seven-points per game compared to 15.3 in the November window games by other teams - lowest of all teams in the Americas Qualifiers.

On Saturday, February 26, the second window for Group A will end with the duel between Paraguay and Venezuela (18:10, local time) and Argentina facing Panama (21:10).

FIBA