Before a packed stadium, with two fans who made themselves felt, Pico FC defeated Provincial de Rosario at home by 77-65 and took the series to a third match, this Thursday for promotion.
In the first 10 minutes of the match, the locals imposed their game, with a goal distributed among their starting five and with a strong defense, Pico managed to close the first quarter 9 points up, 20 to 11 against a visiting team that was uncomfortable and very erratic the first moments.
In the second quarter, the Rosarino team started better, thanks to their characteristically good ball movement and taking advantage of some mistakes by the local team, they began to settle in the match, but it was not reflected on the scoreboard. In the local team, the always important Marcelo Piuma dominated with 14 points, until then (he would end the match being the scorer of the match with 22 points). The game went to rest 37 to 32 in favor of the Pampeans pushed by a true crowd.
The third quarter started very rough, where the defense prevailed and little game in both teams. In an extremely even game full of nervousness, at times the visiting team went ahead, but the local team responded with Piuma, Rossi and Bualó, thus leading a match for the heart attack. The visit based his game on Mariani, who always responded when the team needed him most, either scoring or punishing adjustments and involving his teammates. The partial score at the end of the third quarter was in favor of the locals by 51 to 46. Dramatic scenario for the last 10 minutes.
The last quarter, as expected, was very nervous. The enormous physical wear and tear of what was at stake was felt. With five minutes to go, Provincial, who was still within range, lost Garello for five fouls. And when everything seemed to be heading for the local team, Marcelo Piuma was sent off due to a double technical foul, adding a lot of drama to the last three minutes of the game. Until then, the team led by Germanetto was up by 6 points.
But in closing, far from giving in to a comeback, Pico FC brought out their best version. With good defense and intelligent execution in attack, he did not allow the visitors to get close. In the final moments, the locals moved away making the most of it, hand in hand with Del Ponte’s delivery. In the winner, Marcelo Piuma was the top scorer with 22 points, followed by Agustín Bualó’s 17 and Elías Del Ponte’s 14. In Provincial, Guido Mariani and Matías Quiroga scored 18 and 17 units respectively.
The Decano team managed to take the victory by 77-65 to force a third game, which will be played this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. again at the Ángel Larrea Park. The winner of the match will keep the promotion to La Liga Argentina and the ticket to the National Final.
Partials: 20-11; 17-21; 14-14; 26-19
Source: Pico FC Press
