Before a crowded Emilio Perazzo, Lobo defeated Belgrano de Tucumán 86-73 and forced a decisive match on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Hans Feder Ponce scored 38 points.
In the first quarter, GEPU came out determined to find the match and even seemed to surprise their rival. The effectiveness in attack, plus a Belgrano who did not fit into the San Luis scenario, allowed him to put in five overwhelming minutes that were transferred to the scoreboard: 20-2. In the stands, people were delirious with this promising start. Little by little, the visitors began to find their game and that difference from the start was reduced to ten at the end of the first quarter: 22-12.
In the second segment, the actions were matched and the game was another. The cast from Tucuman began to show their virtues in attack and midway through the quarter, narrowed the margin to only seven: 33-26. The atmosphere was different on the stage at Calle Rivadavia and Tomás Jofré. The match became intense, with successes in both baskets but also some inaccuracies of the framework and everything that was at stake. Thus, GEPU went into the break 45 to 37 up.
After halftime, the team from Tucuman started better and quickly got to a triple. People understood the moment and began to cheer. It was a vital moment and the local team responded on the field and managed to control Belgrano. At the end of the third quarter, “Lobo” prevailed 62-55.
The final ten minutes arrived and the tension was palpable in the atmosphere. GEPU quickly made a difference of ten, but the team from Tucuman went on the attack and cut to five goals with six minutes to play. It was all tension, until with about three minutes to go Hans Feder Ponce appeared and stamped an 8-0 that was vital to close the game. That released the team and made the final score a little looser: 86-73.
In this way, the conference semifinal was 1-1. This Saturday it will be decided who will play the final, again at the Emilio Perazzo starting at 9:30 p.m.
Source: GEPU Press.
