HERAKLION (Greece) - Resiliency well describes Argentina in their perfect run through the Group Phase of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019, and it gives them reason to believe in their chances of reaching the Quarter-Finals for the second straight time.

Argentina battled through their third straight close game as they knocked off host side Greece and an enthusiastic crowd 73-68 for a 3-0 record in Group C.

Maxi Seigorman has had all the right answers for Argentina in Greece.

"This is great for us. This team played together when we were behind. We played hard until the end. In the first half, Greece scored 27 points on three-pointers and I told my team to be patient. It was our advantage that we play with patience," said Argentina coach Maxi Seigorman, whose team had previously beaten Russia 86-84 in overtime and Philippines 77-72.

Argentina big man Francisco Caffaro, who is appearing in his second U19 World Cup, said those tight battles will serve the team well now with the Knockout Phase starting.

"It is important. We had games with pressure and we know how to handle it. That will help us a lot in the next games," Caffaro said, referring to the Round of 16 match-up with fellow FIBA Americas side Puerto Rico.

Leandro Bolmaro is a big-time player to take - and make - big-time shots.

Symbolic of that Argentina determination was Leandro Bolmaro. The highly-talented guard, who plays for Barcelona, collected 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in 22 minutes, including nailing an important three-pointer inside the final 2 minutes. That came after he missed the second half of Argentina's opening game and entire second game with an ankle injury.

"He's such a smart player. He plays hard all the time. He's very important for us. He told me I can play today, it was beautiful for us," Seigorman said.

"He's big time. We really trust Bolmaro. He said he was going to be able to play and he did and hit a big-time three and we thank him for that," added Caffaro.

Bolmaro limped off to the locker room after the game but found time to say: "This team is the best team. We won this together."

“WE HAD GAMES WITH PRESSURE AND WE KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT. THAT WILL HELP US A LOT IN THE NEXT GAMES.”- Caffaro

It was not easy for him sitting on the bench and watching his teammates fight through the previous six quarters of action.

"It was difficult, but I went through therapy and I told coach I can play," said Bolmaro, who totalled 16 points in just 12 minutes in the first game.

Argentina now stand a victory over Puerto Rico from a second straight top-eight showing. The previous two U19 World Cups saw them miss the Quarter-Finals, but now they can dream about another medal - the only two third-place finishes coming in 1979 and 1991.

But for that to happen, Argentina will need to remain resilient.

FIBA