CORDOBA (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - With a great work in the defense, Argentina gave their public a great joy when they defeated Mexico 84-67 and achieved their objective of defining the FIBA AmeriCup 2017. Hernández’s team did a great second half and sentenced the game before the final second, in a match that was complicated during the first part. Garino, Brussino and Saiz were the offensive leaders of a team that played to the rhythm marked by their Point Guard, Facundo Campazzo.

An even start, man to man instances, and a great face-off between Campazzo and Gutiérrez were the main seasonings of the first quarter. Garino, in the offense, took advantage of what Campazzo had to give, but Gutiérrez was the outstanding attacker of a Mexico that played a smooth offense. At a certain moment, the Aztecs were up by 3 (13-16), but the quarter went to Hernández’s squad. Without Campazzo out in the court —who left because of a second foul— there were good rotations that gave them the chance of scoring 5-0; and, after a triple by Brussino, have a three-point advantage at the quarter’s end (21-18).

A great beginning by Saiz allowed him to open the second quarter with ten points to none. The Forward not only worked in the paint, but also contributed from the outside, and added 11 points to his account. Fast breaks were key to Argentina. Now, with Hernández at the floor, and with Cruz's work, the visiting team reacted and could close the game to a one-point difference (35-34). The variations Hernández proposed gave his team a consistent defense. Deck was key in the offense to reach the halftime leading 39-36.

The beginning of the second half was marked by the Mexicans’ good job. Defensively, Mata was strong in the rebound take and that allowed Cruz to attack faster, to tie the game at 43. However, and based on their solid defense, Argentina were quick to react. Campazzo once again marked the rhythm, but the beat was elsewhere. The visiting team couldn’t make any more points, they didn't drive, and in the set offense they had difficulties when the time came to make good throws. Saiz evolved into a leading figure: he attacked the rim with much more confidence and a double right at the end gave the 11-point lead to the hosts (62-51).

The start of the last quarter was perfect for the hosts. The 14-1 quarter was determined in five minutes, before it was expected (76-52). Brussino, with his outside shooting, as well as the defense’s intensity, were paramount for Hernández's decision to rotate the positions that had already rendered results. Campazzo, Brussino, Deck, Garino and Saiz are the names of those who commanded applause from the whole Orfeo Superdome. The rotation came, and the Argentines played the last minutes with their heads on tomorrow’s Final. The overwhelming 45-31 in the second half left clear the great level with which the hosts will arrive to the decisive game against United States.

FIBA