By Sebastian Arana
Peñarol lived a night that he had not had for a long time. His public accompanied him as they had not done for a long time and the team, although during this season he painted better paintings, lived up to the mark. Athens he complicated it, with Mosley’s ease in scoring, but the collective spirit of Ramella’s men remained afloat. And, when the answers seemed to run out, Sansimoni’s spark lit up Monacchi and the team from Mar del Plata ended up winning 86-79 for a new date in the National Basketball League.
The tenth consecutive win allowed the “milrayitas” to regain second place in the standings. Next Wednesday they will receive San Lorenzo and their fans are already making plans to return as in the good old days.
Peñarol had to work hard against a rival whose position in the table is misleading. Athens, without big names, but with four foreigners, surprised with their scoring power. Latreius Mosley was irrepressible for Monacchi in the first attempts, he scored three triples and the “Greeks” obtained a quick light (16-9) in the middle of the quarter.
Peñarol, as often happens, improved his defense as the minutes passed. The secret? Avoid the easy spots of role players. Thus, and with an explosive burst from Buemo, he balanced and went to the front before the end of the opening quarter.
Towards the beginning of the second quarter, Peñarol was already beginning to insinuate himself superior. Athens was supported by the Puerto Rican Pacheco and Mosley. The Mar del Plata team had a hard time taking off because they missed shots that they usually score. However, towards the end of the period, Thornton’s hierarchy allowed him to get a small lift: 43-38.
Mosley kept scoring in the third quarter and Peñarol couldn’t stop him. But he kept relatively controlled all his companions. And his superior flow of play, plus the ability to spread the goal and not depend on any individuality, allowed him to continue increasing the advantages. This time it was Buemo, scoring from various positions, and Glass, going a lot and hitting from the line, who led the offense. The local team managed to get a maximum light of twelve points (60-48) and entered the last quarter 67-57 up.
Everything seemed very comfortable. However, at the start of the final quarter, the “milrayitas” defense relaxed.
And players who shouldn’t have hurt her: point guard Alonso with his breaks and former Quilmes Cantón with his posts. That black defensive passage, as if that were not enough, coincided with a very weak one in attack. In less than four minutes, Athens went on a 11-2 run and came within a single point (68-69).
There the ball multiplied its weight. Nervous, Peñarol lost his usual clarity. On the other side, Atenas suffered for their insecurity from the free throw line.
The game became a coin toss. A hero was missing to jump to stay with her. He pretended to be Mosley, but he fizzled out in the end. And, thanks to Sansimoni’s assists, it ended up being Monacchi, who with seven consecutive points and a key steal with 40 to go took Peñarol out of the swamp.
the synthesis
Penarol 86
B. Sansimoni 10, C. Buemo 18, T. Monacchi 16, T. Glass 17 and P. Lockett 4 (FI); J. Valinotti 7, A. Thornton 12, N. Franco 2, L. Gorosterrazu 0, J. Cabrera 0, T. Framiñan 0 and I. Bednarek 0. DT: Leandro Ramella.
Athens 79
A. Alonso 8, J. Pacheco Ortiz 11, L. Mosley 27, G. Córdoba 6 and D. Mcclenton 7 (IF); J. Mc Pherson 3, O. Cantón 10, D. Hure 2, M. Araujo 5 and I. Segura 0. DT: Claudio Arrigoni.
Stadium: “Islas Malvinas” Sports Center.
Referees: Fabricio Vito-Oscar Britez-José Luis Lugli.
Partial: 22-21, 43-38 and 67-57.
