by Sebastian Arana
It was a defeat more clear in the game than in the result. A superior Obras almost always – except when its coach Fabbris rested its key players – defeated Peñarol 81-73 and frustrated its hopes of getting into the top six of the National Basketball League standings. The conclusion that the meeting left is that the Mar del Plata team still has a way to go to rub shoulders with the best.
Obras marked the field with an agile and accurate offense in the first quarter. A lot of speed and precision to pass the ball and cause imbalances in the Peñarolense defense. And the criminal hand of Tyler Sabin to exploit them with outside shots. Peñarol responded with sparks from Thornton and a consistent first quarter from Basualdo. However, erratic from distance, they soon found themselves losing by nine points (25-16).
If the Mar del Plata team came into play it was because the Obras starters came out and saw several minutes from the bench. Guerra’s character and goal marked a rise that reached a tie at 27 midway through the second quarter. However, Fabbris sent all the artillery to the field. Guerra came out on the other side and Obras returned to take ten reassuring points before halftime. With 1/13 in triples, Peñarol had no way to react.
Barral’s dominance over Vázquez became very evident in the third quarter. The local point guard had a black night and the visitor made everyone play; Then Obras took a maximum of 54-38 with 5′ left. But Barral went out to rest again and the local team set off again. And at the beginning of the last quarter, Guerra had a great burst, Acuña collaborated with a sustained contribution in the paint and in a handful of minutes narrowed the gap to 57-62.
It was until Barral -he finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists- returned to the scene. Then he played two offensives to define him and Obras escaped again. The blow was very hard for a Peñarol that was close and once again was ten points behind. And there was no turning back.
Synthesis
Penarol 73
F. Vázquez 3, A. Pérez Tapia 9, X. Carreras 2, A. Thornton 12 and I. Basualdo 6 (x) (FI); R. Acuña 16, L. Guerra 23, G. Córdoba 0, N. Hoover 0, F. Tolosa 2 and N. Chiaraviglio 0. DT: Leonardo Costa.
Works 81
P. Barral 14, F. Zezular 10, T. Sabin 24, A. Corum 10 and M. Delia 6 (FI); J. Bilbao 6, J. Brussino 6, F. Inyaco 3, J. Lopez 2 y JI Respaud 0. DT: Guido Fabbris.
Estadio: “Islas Malvinas” sports center.
Referees: Fabricio Vito, Roberto Smith and Guillermo Di Lernia.
Partials: 20-25, 31-41 y 45-59.
Ramella fired
Quimsa of Santiago del Estero decided to interrupt the cycle of Mar del Plata coach Leandro Ramella due to the recent poor results. The Kimberley-trained coach had been with the team for four seasons and led it to the title in 2022/2023. The name of Lucas Victoriano sounds strong to replace him.
