Instituto Makes History in Montevideo: First International Title at South American League

Institute made history in Montevideo. The Alta Córdoba team became champion of the South American League this Sunday and achieved its first international title by beating Titanes de Barranquilla 81-72 in a very tough final.

Those of Alta Córdoba celebrate for several reasons. But mainly because it is another bar that comes as a consequence of long-term work and constant growth for an entity that began this path in the Córdoba area to now finish at the highest level in South America.

The hand of Lucas Victoriano, the coach, was seen in the most complex moment of the game. La Gloria managed to recover from a very bad second quarter (they were 2/17 in triples and scored just 13 points in that quarter). Thus, they overcame a 12-point deficit thanks to their defense and the appearance in the scoring of Hoover (22), Jefferson (23) and Cosolito (16), keys to the victory.

The third segment was brilliant for the Córdoba team, who took that partial 27-11 and changed the dynamic of a match that, until then, had been dominated by the Colombians.

With the advantage and confidence in their favor, Instituto knew how to handle the last quarter. The Colombians, off axis and uncomfortable, were unable to return to the game, despite individual attempts.

It was the fourth title of the Victorian era: the Super 20 (2021), the National Basketball League (2022), the Argentine Super Cup (2022) and the South American League (2023).

For Argentine basketball it means winning an international competition at the club level again, after the League of the Americas that Quimsa de Santiago del Estero won in 2020.

As for the South American League, an Argentine team has not won it since Regatas Corrientes did so in 2012.

The chronicle of the final

The match started very different from the duel they hosted during the week and which ended with a Colombian victory 87-82. The difference was that Titanes could not set the pace like that night in the first minutes. La Gloria got off to a better start, relying on the scoring of Nathan Hoover, who is gaining preponderance in the Alta Córdoba team. But the defense and its dizzying transition began to improve the performance of those from Barranquilla, who escaped 22-16. Anyway, in the last two minutes Instituto reacted, led by Cosolitto (5 points in a row) and the game ended 22-21.

The beginning of the second segment showed a game with less rhythm and longer possessions. But Titans was clearer. He forced him to go to the Institute and shoot from the perimeter, ineffectively, and he took advantage of the other side to escape again. Instituto tried to adjust the brand, but its problem was its lack of effectiveness. It was difficult for him to score in this section and he was disarmed in defense. unstructured like few times. A weak 2/17 in triples limited the Cordobans, who went into the long break with the maximum against: 46-34. The quarter was 24-13 for Titanes. Much to improve the Glory.

After halftime, Instituto came out with a different attitude and mentality. The Córdoba defense was tougher and, finally, the triples appeared. Three in a row from Jefferson opened the way to turn it around and for Glory to take the lead 56-52 (with partial 22-6), with 4m25 left. The redhead closed it with a triple with a board from Elías and went to the last break 64-57, with an impressive segment of 30-11 and 6/8 in triples.

With the advantage and confidence in their favor, Instituto knew how to handle the last quarter. The Colombians, off axis and uncomfortable, were unable to return to the game, despite individual attempts. Thus, the Glory reached its maximum glory in the Montevideo night.

The final sheet

This is how they reach the final

Victoriano’s team had a very good week in Uruguay, with wins against Gimnasia de Comodoro Rivadavia, Peñarol (which was local) and against Caribbean Storm of Colombia in the semis.

His only fall was precisely against Titanes, tonight’s rival who beat him days ago by 87 to 82. The tremendous reaction of the albirroja (they raised a deficit of 17) was not enough that time, although it was very close and in a hot finale.

At the end of that match, Lucas Victoriano, Glory’s manager, was expelled for protesting.

But tonight the story will be different and Instituto will seek to remove a thorn that has been stuck in it since 2018 when it lost the final of the Sudamericana in the Sandrín against Franca from Brazil.

After that came the titles in the Super 20 (2021), the National Basketball League (2022) and the Argentine Super Cup (2022).

Although this time it will be different because Gloria will have the chance to add its first international star to crown a process that began more than a decade ago.

After winning local and provincial tournaments, the Alta Córdoba team made a place for itself in the TNA by adding the sporting merits that were needed to be able to buy a place. After making a foothold in the category and battles won and lost, in 2015 he managed to be promoted to the National League after beating Ferro in Caballito.

It was the first Córdoba team to win a title in promotion, since after being promoted Buenos Aires defeated 9 de Julio de Río Tercero in the grand final by 3 to 2, with the result of 78-67 in the last point of the series.

“I want to die that I’m not in Uruguay. Everyone knows that sport drives me crazy. But there are other obligations. I have no doubt that the team will do well, the team was designed for this cup they are playing in. After being champions, we were left out in the semis of the last National League unfairly with Boca. There were things that I didn’t like,” President Juan Manuel Cavagliatto told Mundo D this week.

In any case, the leader changed his mind in the last few hours and made time in his schedule to be present today in Montevideo to witness a game that could be historic for Instituto and for Córdoba basketball.

It has even been 11 years since a team from our country has won a South American League and La Gloria will seek to put an end to that meager streak.

“We have a new team that needs to be put together. We have a nice challenge in Uruguay to put one more glass in the showcase. We want that little star, we are very hopeful. But it is part of the processes, basketball started by winning provincial cups,” Cavagliatto concluded.

Mundo Gloria Podcast: listen to the one-on-one with Cavagliatto

2023-12-04 01:37:58
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