MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – Defending FIBA AmeriCup champion Argentina started the game a bit sloppily but quickly found its rhythm. The team showed its pedigree, defeating host nation Nicaragua 94-70 in front of its home crowd at the Alexis Arguello Sports Complex.
Strong three-point shooting in the second quarter proved decisive in taking control and starting Argentina’s title defense on the right foot.
Turning point
After a tight first quarter that ended with Argentina ahead by just two points (20-18), head coach Pablo Prigioni’s squad settled in during the second frame. With five triples (two from Nicolás Brussino), the team broke free with a 28-14 run to take a 48-32 lead into halftime. From there, they maintained control the rest of the way to secure the win.
TCL player of the game
Brussino finished with 17 points (including four three-pointers) and led an offense that saw five players score at least 10 points.
Francisco Cáffaro and Gonzalo Corbalán each had 13, while José Vildoza, Juan Marcos (3 triples and 5 steals), and Juan Pablo Vaulet chipped in 11 apiece. Juan Fernández added 10.
For Nicaragua, Jared Ruiz was the game’s top scorer with 19 points, while Norchad Omier delivered a double-double with 16 points, 17 rebounds, along with 7 assists and 3 steals. Joost West (11) and Kalen Myers (10) also reached double figures.
Stats don’t lie
In the first half, Argentina knocked down 9-of-16 shots from beyond the arc. The team finished with 12 of 28 overall, a solid 43 percent. They were also skillful defensively with 14 steals.
Nicaragua committed 21 turnovers in total, which Argentina converted into a 24-10 advantage in points off mistakes and a 22-13 edge in fast-break scoring.
Nicaragua went to the free-throw line just five times, converting three, tying the second-lowest total in a game since 2023.
Bottom line
Even without its biggest stars, Argentina opened Group C play strongly, with several of its younger players stepping up. The Albicelestes will rest on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday, August 24, against the Dominican Republic, while Nicaragua will face Colombia.
Nicaragua played the first FIBA AmeriCup game in its history, becoming the 19th team to participate in the continent’s premier basketball competition.
They said
Forward Francisco Cáffaro credited the team’s defensive effort.
“They were a tough rival, very physical. They went hard to the boards, which is what they do best. We were able to put together several runs on offense, and defensively we did well, holding them to 70 points,” he said.
Below is head coach Pablo Prigioni and forward Nicolás Brussino’s recap from the post-game press conference:
FIBA