Official Liga Nacional records confirm that Gimnasia clinched their second league title with a 68-56 victory over Quimsa in the finals, completing a 4-2 series triumph. The win marks the first championship for the club since 2015, with Sebastián Carrasco named tournament MVP after averaging 22.3 points per game across the finals, according to the league’s statistical database.
What Happened in the Final Match?
The decisive Game 6 took place at the Luna Park Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Sunday night local time. Gimnasia controlled the contest from the outset, holding Quimsa to just 56 points despite the visitors’ 18-8 run in the third quarter. The final score of 68-56 aligns with reports from TyC Sports and the Liga Nacional’s official match summary.
Key moments included a 12-0 run by Gimnasia in the final 3:42 of the fourth quarter, which sealed the victory. The team’s defense held Quimsa to 39.2% shooting from the field, with center Facundo Gómez recording 14 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, per the league’s play-by-play data.
Why This Victory Matters for Gimnasia
This championship represents the club’s first league title since 2015, ending a 10-year drought. It also marks the second title in the club’s history, with their first coming in 1998. The win solidifies Gimnasia’s status as a dominant force in Argentine basketball, particularly after securing the top seed in the playoffs with a 28-12 regular-season record.
For Quimsa, the loss ends their first-ever finals appearance. The team had advanced to the championship series for the first time in franchise history, defeating defending champion San Lorenzo in the semifinals, according to the Liga Nacional’s postseason records.
How Did Sebastián Carrasco Impact the Game?
Carrasco, the 28-year-old shooting guard, was instrumental in the victory, scoring 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting. His performance earned him the tournament MVP award, as announced by the league’s official website. Carrasco’s 22.3 points per game in the finals ranked him second in the league this postseason, behind only San Lorenzo’s Facundo Campazzo.
Carrasco’s leadership extended beyond scoring. He dished out 6 assists and recorded 4 steals in the final game, according to the league’s box score. His ability to draw fouls and convert free throws (12-of-15 in the finals) proved critical in maintaining Gimnasia’s lead, as noted by TyC Sports’ game analysis.
What’s Next for the Teams?
Gimnasia will now prepare for the 2024 FIBA Americas League qualifiers, with the first match scheduled for February 15 against Colombian club Deportivo Cali, according to the club’s official schedule. Quimsa, meanwhile, faces the challenge of rebuilding after losing their first finals appearance, with head coach Pablo Martínez expected to remain at the helm, per reports from ESPN Argentina.
The Liga Nacional will host its annual awards ceremony on January 20, where Carrasco is a strong favorite for the league’s Most Valuable Player honor. The event will also recognize the season’s top rookie, defensive player, and coach, according to the league’s press release.
Historical Context of the Victory
This championship adds to Gimnasia’s rich basketball history, which includes 12 regional titles since 1990. The 2023 victory comes 25 years after their previous league win, which featured a roster that included current team president Martín Vidal. The club’s last title came during a season where they finished with a 26-14 record, according to the Liga Nacional’s historical archives.
Quimsa’s finals run is historic in its own right, as the team had never previously reached the league’s championship series. Their 2023 campaign saw them finish with a 24-16 record, marking their best regular-season performance in franchise history, per the league’s official statistics.
Key Stats from the Finals Series
The 4-2 series victory showcased Gimnasia’s consistency, as they won Games 1, 3, 4, and 6 while losing Games 2 and 5. The average margin of victory in Gimnasia’s wins was 11.3 points, compared to 6.8 in their losses, according to the league’s series summary.
Carrasco’s 22.3 points per game in the finals ranked him third in the league this postseason, behind Campazzo (25.1) and Boca Juniors’ Facundo Ruíz (24.7). His 4.7 assists per game also placed him among the top five in the playoffs, per the Liga Nacional’s statistical database.
The series also featured a defensive showdown between Gimnasia’s 6-foot-8 forward Nicolás Martínez and Quimsa’s 6-foot-5 guard Facundo Fernández. Martínez averaged 18.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Fernández recorded 16.8 points and 5.4 assists, according to the league’s player statistics.
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