Basketball’s 2021: From Penta to Rearming | San Lorenzo de Almagro

The name San Lorenzo entered the great history of the LNB since its appearance in 2015, winning all the leagues that were in dispute, except the one that was suspended due to the pandemic. And in this 2021, the Cyclone raised the trophy again despite not having been the favorite in the final. However, the economic problems of the club were echoed in the sport of the orange ball, and after the title, came the cut and the replacement, but the claw with which the players defend the shirt made the team continue in the top positions .

This year that is going, the Cyclone started it with everything. After having started the 2020/2021 National League, which was played in bubble format, with some setback, the Barça team started a great streak that allowed them to be one of the best in the Regular Phase, and reaching second place behind Quimsa, and in the Basketball Champions League Americas he comfortably won his zone to qualify first for the quarterfinals.

However, the continental tournament was again denied for San Lorenzo. In April the playoffs were played in Nicaragua, and Boedo’s team fell into the hands of Sao Paulo in a very close game in the quarterfinals. The blow did not seem to affect him too much to face the final instance of the National League. In the quarterfinals he swept the Institute, in the semis he met San Martín de Corrientes, and beat him 2-1, and in the final he crossed again with the favorite: Quimsa. The five games were tremendous, but San Lorenzo took out his chest from the great squad he had, and with a Vildoza on, and chosen as the MVP of the finals, and a triple almost on the closure of Romano, the group led by Silvio Santander was crowned as the first five-time champion in the history of the National League.

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THE BOMBAZO THAT DEFINED THE CHAMPIONSHIP
From the left corner, Nicolás Romano hit the triple that gave San Lorenzo three points in favor.

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– Pick & Roll (@Pickandrollweb) May 15, 2021

Highlights of that team were several. The always important experience of Penka Aguirre, who wore his sixth consecutive ring, and became the most winner in the club’s history, the talent of Fjellerup and Vildoza, who went to play in Europe, the determining factor of Tucker, the key appearances by Romano and Piñeiro, and input from Kevin Hernández and del Toro Acuña. In addition, the great work of a great coach like Silvio Santander.

However, the financial problems he is going through took their toll on basketball. Not only that the quality of players could not be retained, but the international place was lost due to large debts. Continuity in the National League was even questioned. But with a great effort from the people in charge of the discipline, and the support of the subscribers, the situation could be stabilized and a squad could be built to compete.

Álvaro Castiñeira, a fan and great coach, took over the technical direction, opting for a team of talented youngsters, and surrounding them with some experienced players such as Sandes and Lucas Pérez. The only player remaining from the five-time champion was Defelippo, in addition to youth players such as Rutenberg and Cerminato. With them, plus the incorporation of Facello, Pérez Tapia and Corzo, he faced the Super 20 where he was eliminated in the first instance.

Closing of a great year, but with defeat

However, in the National League, the Cyclone had a great start and, above all, very promising. He scored very important victories against Riachuelo as a visitor in the opening match, Atenas in Córdoba, and Regattas at home. Thus he closed 2021 in third place with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses, thinking of trying to maintain this great performance in 2022.