Led by an inspired Michelini, Atlético Pilar defeated Independiente de Tandil at home by 101-99 in extra time after tying the regular period at 93.
In a marathon, intense and electrifying outcome, when he seemed to have it under control by scoring a maximum of 18 (71 to 53) in the third quarter, incredibly, Atlético had to suffer more than necessary to beat Independiente de Tandil at home by 101 to 99 in extra time after tying the regular period at 93.
The star figure of the night was Federico Michelini with 36 units (including 8 triples), very well accompanied by Leopoldo Ibáñez Paz (17), Joaquín Thorp (16), Ignacio Suárez (15) and Nicolás Remolina (9).
It was the third confrontation between Rancho and Rojo Tandilense and all ended with victory for Atlético and all by just one double.
Atlético was intense from the start; triples by Michelini, Remolina, Suarez and Ibáñez Paz, gave them a lead of 15 (21 to 6), but, through Pallotti and Arca, Independiente applied a run of 7 to 2, going into the first break 10 down (23 to 13).
In the second quarter, a burst by Michelini attached to triples by Rodrigo Martínez and Thomas Muraca, interposed a 12-6 sprint, increasing the gap to 16 (35 to 19). Independiente reacted, a good pass from Haag, accompanied by Pallotti and Arca, made it 14-6 narrowing the margin to 8 (41 to 33). Suárez’s layup and Michelini’s triple, put Atlético Pilar away to 13 (46 to 33). Hartstock basket, sent Independiente at halftime 11 behind (46 to 35).
In the third quarter, those led by Hugo Turilli found fluid ways to score: Thorp, Michelini, Remolina and Ibáñez Paz and caused a 25-18, raising the maximum to 18 (71 to 53).
But in the last quarter, Michelini’s stay on the bench significantly affected Atlético’s image, which lost firepower and thus, Independiente grew in confidence and guided by a fantastic Hartstock (13), built a 27-11 scoring balance in 86. Then, the Ranch again escaped by 5 but Hartstock’s surge sent everything to overtime.
In the supplementary period, Independiente quickly escaped by 5 but Atlético returned hand in hand with Ibáñez Paz to write a 7-0 run, sentencing their victory by 101 to 99 in a tumultuous and heated finale.
Atlético trained with Federico Michelini (36), Nicolás Remolina (9), Leopoldo Ibáñez Paz (17), Ignacio Suárez (15), Joaquín Thorp (16), Martin Longo, Thomas Muraca (5), Rodrigo Martínez (3), Franco Barrionuevo, Ezequiel Martínez and Guido Baldini. DT: Hugo Turilli.
