A historical event occurred this Sunday: Juan Ignacio Pepe Sánchez returned to play an official basketball game. Yes, at 44, the point guard who was a member of the famous Golden Generation He returned after his retirement from the activity, in 2013. Given the large number of positive Covid cases in his club, Bahía Basket, Pepe put on shorts and gave his team a hand in the game against Gimnasia La Plata for the Argentine Basketball League, the second division of the National League .
With six minutes and 27 seconds to go to the end of the first quarter, the point guard entered the field and his letter of introduction was a spectacular strip to show his validity. In addition, he served another assist, three defensive rebounds, one steal and three losses, all in that first quarter.
Look at the luxurious assists of Pepe:
The winner of the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics -the only gold that the United States has not achieved since playing the tournament with its NBA- he had not played professionally for almost nine years. Although Bahía Basket had the eight basketball players necessary to comply with the regulations and play the game, the losses due to Covid encouraged Pepe to try and prove himself officially and confirm that his magic is still intact. The Club Association enabled him and he was encouraged.
At the Dow Center in Bahía Blanca, the base did not save anything and delivered magic in his 28m57s on the court. Pepe, who came out from the substitute bench, was one of the nine players at the disposal of coach Laura Cors. Y His presence was vital for the local to beat Lobo 91-87 in overtime.
Although he was not fine at the basket (he finished with 12 points, with a 4-11 from the court and a 2 of 8 from the triple), the point guard delivered his characteristic passes for his teammates. Girdle qualifications and without looking were some of Pepe’s delights on the night of his return. Finally he finished with 8 goal passes, 8 rebounds and 5 losses. Iván Catani, with 26, was Bahia’s top scorer.
This was the team’s third win in six appearances at the Southern Conference. Will Pepe continue to lead or Pepe to be a player?
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