Argentina’s journey to the 2011 FIBA Americas Title (Part 1)
Argentina started the 2011 FIBA Americas as the title favourites. With team USA not participating in the competition after having already qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, Argentina was left as the only team in the tournament
which had depth at every position. That depth in their roster showed as the tournament proceeded and after a surprise defeat against Brazil in the second round, the Argentineans took off and went on to beat Brazil in the finals. In the first round, the Argentines
were placed in Group-B with Puerto Rica, Uruguay, Panama and Paraguay.
Argentina remained the best team of their group, as they won their all four group-games.
Argentina 84 – Paraguay 52
In their first group-game, Argentina routed Paraguay, 84-52 on August 30 and sent the statement straight away to the other teams in the competition that they are here for some serious business.
Alfredo Paolo Quinteros led the Argentinean offense from the front, thumped game-high 19 points, clutched four rebounds, swatted two assists and made two steals as well. Team-mate and National Basketball Association star Luis Scola
chipped in with 14 crucial points along with six rebounds.
From Paraguay, Guillermo Alejandro Araujo Capello tried to put up some resistance with his 18 points and four rebounds effort, but it didn’t prove enough in the end.
Argentina was aggressive right from the tip of the game. Outperforming Paraguay with their 27-8 blitz and secured the first quarter in their favour.
Paraguay tightened their defence in the second quarter and pulled back Argentina. However, Argentina still led Paraguay by 45-23 advantage at the end of the first half.
Argentinean offense came up with new tactic in the third and burst through the defences of Paraguay once again to stretch their lead 60-40 at the close of the period. First three quarters lead proved too much for Paraguay and that
enabled to Argentina cruised to the victory by the time fourth quarter came to an end.
Argentina 86 – Uruguay 51
Luis Scola marshalled Argentina, as they thrashed Uruguay 86-51 in their second game on August 31.
Scola led all scorers in the game by punching game-high 18 points along with four rebounds and one assist.
For Uruguay, Bruno Fitipaldo made the best effort in offense. He scored 11 points and grasped four rebounds for his team.
Argentina carried the momentum from their previous win and tipped off belligerently in the first quarter once again. Outscoring Uruguay with their 25-7 run to claim the first period. The one way traffic continued in the second
as well and when the teams went into the lockers, Argentina was leading the way by 53-19.
Argentinean offense kept finding the inroads in the fragile defence of Uruguay even after the break and mounted a lead of 74-30, when the third quarter finished. Even though, the Argentineans fell relaxed in the final 10 minutes
of the game and allowed Uruguay to pour in 21 points during the period, but still Uruguayans end up short. Argentina won the game with a difference of 25 points.
Argentina 81 – Puerto Rica 74
Argentina stood firm against the late charge down the stretch by Puerto Rica to squeak past them in a closely contested 81-74 win on September 2.
This time NBA import, Manu Ginobili guided the Argentinean squad in the offense with his 23 points, two rebounds and three assists contribution.
Carlos Arroyo was the major contributor for Puerto Rica, made game-high 24 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The first quarter remained close, as Argentina had to fight hard in order to clinch the first by a meagre margin of 21-18. Puerto Rica, however, found their way up in the second by playing some good defence on Argentina. Puerto
Rica led Argentina by 36-34 at the half time.
After the little jolt in the second quarter, team Argentina charged back aggressively in the third period and outperformed Puerto Rica by their 28-14 burst. Argentina led Puerto Rica by 62-50 into the fourth quarter. Where, Puerto
Rica made a brilliant effort to notch the lead down, but Argentina shrilled past them in the ensuing minutes of the game.
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