OLAVARRIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - The action begins in the second date for Group A at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers that currently feature Argentina and Uruguay as zone leaders, and who will face off at Estadio Carlos Guerrero in the city of Olavarria. Both teams arrive with victories in their first appearances in the Qualifiers and will try to attain absolute leadership in the positions.

The Argentine National Team have two victories from the first window, when they defeated Paraguay, 96 to 63, with 22 points by Luis Scola, the team’s leader. They later won against Panama in a low score match that showcased a great defense (68-59), where Nicolás Laprovittola shone as the game’s figure.

Scola is the absolute leader of the Argentine statistics in what has been played of the Qualifiers. He averages 22.0 points per game, 11.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists (in only one encounter). He is followed by Laprovittola, with 14.5 points and 4.0 assists; while power forward Gabriel Deck is second in steals, with an 8.5 average. Apart from Deck, who is carrying a sprained ankle and could not train as usual, the rest of the roster is at the coach's disposition.

The training sessions of the Argentine team were witnessed by Andrés Nocioni, who will be homaged with his #13 jersey's retirement next Monday.

The Uruguayan side is coming from a 67-49 victory against Paraguay in the last game of the first stage of the Qualifiers, with 19 points achieved by their point guard, Bruno Fitipaldo, which allowed them to continue undefeated after their victory debut, 86-73 against Panama, with 21 points by Esteban Batista.

The center is the Charrúa team’s leader, with a 17.0-point average and 9.5 in rebounds; while guard Gustavo Barrera is the leader in assists, with 5.5. Power forward Mathias Calfani averages 14.0 in points and 8.0 in rebounds.

Uruguay have in the roster that arrived in Argentina five players that are part of the Argentine League —Gonzalo Iglesias, Luciano Parodi (both at Bahía Basket), Mathias Calfani (San Lorenzo), Santiago Vidal (Regatas Corrientes) and Gustavo Barrera (Gimnasia de Comodoro Rivadavia).

Uruguayan play-maker - who also has experience in Argentina - Bruno Fitipaldo shared his analysis: "The team is doing good. We're trying to prepare the two games as fast as we can because we're all from different places and that's something that happens to all national teams. We're very excited."

Argentina will debut Franco Balbi in the point guard position, who plays at Ferro in their local league: "I took the news calmly to keep growing personally, help and give a hand from wherever I’m appointed. I had worked with many before, but one must always keep learning some new things.” Besides, Franco talked about the Uruguayan point guards that are part of the Argentine league: “It's an advantage to have them at La Liga and to know how they play, but I believe that when they play with the National Team they play even better. In Uruguay they depend on the generation that the three point guards could have. That makes them have another game style."

For these two games —and besides Balbi’s debut— the team coached by Sergio Hernández will also feature Nicolás Brussino (from Gran Canaria at Spain's ACB League), who was absent from the first window to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers; as well as the team's captain, Luis Scola, who did not participate in the most recent game against Panama.

Marcos Delía, center for Hernández's side, said before the game: “I believe we have the potential and could make good things in the future. I grew a lot in the mental and game aspects, which play an important part in the sport. I can contribute in the defense and play in all offense spaces, and we already know each other well.”

Meanwhile, Marcello Signorelli, coach for the Uruguay National Team, pointed out: “If we don't cut them off, if we don't throw Laprovittola off rhythm and we let them run, we have no chances. But I also think that they have some weak points, and that's where we have to attack them.”

For his part, power forward Gonzalo Iglesias said: “It’ll be a very physical game at times, we all know how Argentina are as a team and we have to play a good game to be able to play as equals.”Gonzalo Iglesias (URU)Gonzalo Iglesias (URU)

Uruguay will play their two games as visitors (on Monday they will clash against Panama at Estadio Roberto Durán), while Argentina will play as locals twice at Olavarria (their second game, against Paraguay).

FIBA