Rojo de Rosario beat Santa Paula 90-89 with a double two seconds from the end by Guido Mariani and went 1-0 in the series. Vicente Garello was key to the local comeback in the second half.
The start of the game was erratic on both sides of the court, it was difficult to break the score despite having tried several shots. Santa Paula bet on a versatile game while Provincial in transition and scored from the foul line. Midway through the quarter, the visitors found the three-point shot, taking the first light advantage (15 to 6). In the final minutes, the best local version was seen with Gastón Gerbaudo scoring until the difference was reduced to two points. He was able to match it but he failed and Maximiliano Ríos scored a triple at the buzzer (23 to 18).
In the second chapter, Provincial scored a partial from 5 to 2 and was within range to equalize or go ahead but made mistakes wasting a great opportunity. Santa Paula did not forgive him thanks to the pick and roll between Nicolás Solari and Agustín Acuña (30 to 23). Those led by Gustavo Lalima did not find the method to narrow the gap despite some good passages and Santa Paula went to the break 41 to 35.
After halftime, Nicolás Solari scored two triples in a row, taking a maximum of twelve (47 to 35). But the local reaction arrived, which led by Pablo Fernández, scored a partial from 9 to 3 but at the best moment of “Rojo” he could not close the hoop well and Santa Paula took second chances and escaped on the scoreboard again . Halfway through the partial, Vicente Garello became enormous to score seven points in a row until he narrowed the difference (61 to 56). With the game even, Provincial had more drive and closed the quarter down by three points.
In the last ten minutes, Franco D’angelo came in hot, leading an 8-2 run, managing to put his team up 73-70. Francisco Blanc jumped quickly to ask for a minute, but when he came out of it a good defense by Vicente Garello it ended in a double by Guido Mariani. El Salvador Bonilla was already abuzz and both teams exchanged goal for goal. Provincial lost some unforced balls while Santa Paula shot and missed. The locals calmed down and again Vicente Garello, added to Matias Quiroga, gave them a four-point lead (86-82) but the best version of the visit came, when they went ahead 87-86 with one minute to go. There, Vicente Garello put his team ahead 88-87 with two free kicks but Enzo Felipetti quickly overturned it with power 18 seconds from the end and gave his team the lead again. Gustavo Lalima’s minute to elaborate a play that went to the hands of Guido Mariani who with his hierarchy scored the double of the victory two seconds from the end.
SYNTHESIS
PROVINCIAL (90): Lucas Rodríguez 10; Pablo Fernández 11; Guido Mariani 6; Matías Quiroga 15; Vicente Garello 21 (FI) Federico Pérez 9; Gastón Gerbaudo 10; Franco D’angelo 8; Matías Rosas 0. DT: Gustavo Lalima
SANTA PAULA (89):Nicolás Solari 21;Manuel Vottero 3;Nicolás Rodríguez 8(x);Sebastián Godoy 9;Enzo Felipetti 27(FI) Agustín Acuña 7;Maximiliano Ríos 8;Tomás Vico 0;Tomás Vottero 3;Ismael Amprimo 3 .DT: Francisco Blanc
Partials: 18-23; 17-18(35-41);20-17(65-68);25-21(90-89)
Referees: Jorge Meza-Leandro Mozzoni.
Commissioner: Sergio Franchini.
Stadium: Salvador Bonilla.
Source: Provincial Press
