They knew each other well, they’d been facing each other in recent competitions, and the game was as close as expected. But San Lorenzo seems to have a certain something to close important encounters. The Argentine team defeated a battling Mogi, 82-78, and took the first step toward winning the first edition of the Basketball Champions League Americas.

The competition started fiercely, with a match at the height of the tournament. Mogi had it in their hands, but it slipped in the end and went to an intensely defensive San Lorenzo (who have won in the last five times that they've crossed paths in three years) that was also very active in the offense.

 
Alexey led Mogi into using outside shots as their main weapon in the first quarter and had in Daniel Fuzaro their best player — achieving 12 of his 23 attempts in the game. Luis Gruber’s contributions were also fundamental, with 15 points and 6 rebounds. But the evening didn't conclude happily for the Brazilians because San Lorenzo came in from behind and took the game.

What did the team led by Facundo Müller do? Although they did not have a great defensive game and started weak in the offense, they were able to steer the game around thanks to Uruguayan player Esteban Batista, the best in the team with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Plus, the contributions of younger pieces like José Vildoza (who was key coming in from the bench with 17 points) and Maximo Fjellerup, who was a very important element in the conclusion when San Lorenzo took the lead and won the last quarter, 27-16. Oh, and the most outstanding fact was the great difference in points contributed by players from the bench, with a 39-7 lead for the Argentines.

Guerrinha couldn't figure out how to spin out of San Lorenzo’s defensive web in the last quarter and couldn't make the most out of the moment. San Lorenzo was smart and recomposed after Nicolás Aguirre's ejection (due to two fouls) and despite Justin William's absence due to an injury. They took the game and achieved a vital win toward qualifying in Group A.

The next game for Mogi will be in the following window, when they also visit Uruguay on Sunday, November 24.