Argentina completes comeback, defeats Venezuela in Caracas

CARACAS (Venezuela) – Argentina (1-1) recovered its essence in the final minutes of the third quarter. The team bounced back from a 22-point disadvantage to get back at Venezuela (1-1), defeating the home team 73-72, in a Group A game in the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Qualifiers held in the Poliedro de Caracas.

Venezuela was up 60-38 after a foul drawn and a free shot by José Vargas when there were 3:18 minutes left in the third quarter, but from that point on, Argentina changed its attitude and started to climb uphill. In the conclusion of that third quarter, the men led by Sergio Hernández had come closer, 62-51.

In the last act, the entrance of Agustín Caffaro and Fabián Ramírez-Barrios brought stability to the defense that the Argentines needed. They started closing spaces to their rivals, who couldn’t find any easy shots like in the first half of the game.

Argentina forced Venezuela to lose 16 balls and, in the points after losses, achieved 17, while the rivaling team scored 7. That was one of the keys to the win.

Pedro Barral contributed 11 points, including the decisive three-pointer that placed Argentina in the lead at 73-70 with 1:08 minutes left, and was the leader of the visiting team's offense. Caffaro and Luciano González added 10 points each.

Gregory Vargas, who led the Venezuelans with 16 points, brought his team closer with a two-pointer when only 59 seconds were left (73-72), but then the Argentine defense sealed the deal by stopping the last two Venezuelan attacks.

First, it was Ramírez-Barrios who stole a ball to Michael Carrera on the inside when there were 28 seconds left. Then, with four seconds on the clock, Venezuela had to battle to incorporate themselves mid-court and Jhornan Zamora had to make an unbalanced attempt really behind the three-point line, which he ended up missing and leaving the locals with no options.

“It was a game that we won with courage and drive more than with game,” said coach Hernández. “We showed our character by coming from behind with 22 points as visitors. I would've liked to connect more as a team, but that's how it was,” added “Chuzito” González.

In the first quarter, the Venezuelan bench dominated Argentina's, 17-8, but in the end, the Argentine bench achieved 36 points and the Venezuelans 34.

“I think that we got too confident,” said Gregory Vargas in the press conference after the game. “It hurts because we had to defend our home after defeating Argentina. I can’t diminish their job. They're outstanding players in their league, and they never gave up. This helps us to improve and get mentally ready for what's coming in the Olympic Qualifiers,” added the point guard who added 12 rebounds to his 16 points.

Néstor Colmenares scored a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Zamora and Carrera added 11 points each.

“We would’ve liked to win for our people. I applaud this group effort; we competed in both games. Being 1-1 with Argentina isn't bad, but if it were up to me, I would've preferred to lose in Argentina and win at home. Now we need to think about the next game against Lithuania on June 23 in the Olympic Qualifiers,” explained coach Fernando Duró.

After this first window, Argentina and Venezuela now register the same – one win and one defeat. The next window takes place in November.

FIBA