Quimsa defeats Espartanos in the South American debut
Current champions, Argentina beat their Venezuelan rivals 84-74 at the HSBC Arena
By press office - in
The reigning champions, Quimsa, won their opening match of the South American Basketball League finals at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Demonstrating superiority throughout, the Argentine team defeated Venezuela's Espartanos 84-74.
Despite not having the game's top scorer, who ended up being Rivas of Espartanos with 26 points, Quimsa outperformed the Venezuelan team in rebounding, with 31 points to the Venezuelan team's 25. Furthermore, Lo Grippo of the Argentine team scored 25 points, one less than the game's leading scorer.
Roman Gonzales, the Argentine team's star, had a quiet performance, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds, but remained optimistic. He's already eyeing a potential matchup with Flamengo in the South American League semifinals.
"The rivalry with Flamengo is always very strong. We've faced each other in the last few finals and each won one. Now, Flamengo has won the right to host the tournament, but we're still going all out to break the tie," said Gonzales, referring to the red-black team's victory in 2009 and Quimsa's in 2009/2010.
This Thursday, the 25th, Quimsa returns to the court to face Brasília at 18 p.m., while Espartanos will have a day off. Also on Wednesday, Boca Juniors faces Franca in a first-round match.
Tickets for the final stage matches of the South American League are on sale at the HSBC Arena box office and on the website www.livepass.com.br.
QUIMSA - Started: Lo Grippo (25); Treise (4); Mazzaro (14); Brown (18); and Gonzalez (8). Entered: Balbi (0); Gomez (13); Marin (0); and Tintorelli (2). Coach: Carlos Romano
SPARTANS - Started: Cubillan (7); Cedeño (8); Palacios (10); Romero (26); and Smith (4). Entered: Centeno (5); Bravo (4); Urbina (0); Eligon (5); and Flores (5). Coach: Nestor Salazar
Referees: Reinaldo Mercedes, Gabriel Baum and Alejandro Sanches.
Despite not having the game's top scorer, who ended up being Rivas of Espartanos with 26 points, Quimsa outperformed the Venezuelan team in rebounding, with 31 points to the Venezuelan team's 25. Furthermore, Lo Grippo of the Argentine team scored 25 points, one less than the game's leading scorer.
Roman Gonzales, the Argentine team's star, had a quiet performance, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds, but remained optimistic. He's already eyeing a potential matchup with Flamengo in the South American League semifinals.
"The rivalry with Flamengo is always very strong. We've faced each other in the last few finals and each won one. Now, Flamengo has won the right to host the tournament, but we're still going all out to break the tie," said Gonzales, referring to the red-black team's victory in 2009 and Quimsa's in 2009/2010.
This Thursday, the 25th, Quimsa returns to the court to face Brasília at 18 p.m., while Espartanos will have a day off. Also on Wednesday, Boca Juniors faces Franca in a first-round match.
Tickets for the final stage matches of the South American League are on sale at the HSBC Arena box office and on the website www.livepass.com.br.
QUIMSA - Started: Lo Grippo (25); Treise (4); Mazzaro (14); Brown (18); and Gonzalez (8). Entered: Balbi (0); Gomez (13); Marin (0); and Tintorelli (2). Coach: Carlos Romano
SPARTANS - Started: Cubillan (7); Cedeño (8); Palacios (10); Romero (26); and Smith (4). Entered: Centeno (5); Bravo (4); Urbina (0); Eligon (5); and Flores (5). Coach: Nestor Salazar
Referees: Reinaldo Mercedes, Gabriel Baum and Alejandro Sanches.