Carlos Delfino rescued Argentina that overcame Panama

With a different attitude, although with little flight, the Argentine basketball team defeated Panama 65-58 for the second date of the second FIBA ​​window heading to the 2023 World Cup. With more substance than anything else, the team led by Néstor “Che” García was able to overcome the pale and petty work of the previous night against Venezuela. In fact, a certain aroma of a possible fall flew over for much of Saturday night. But, as it did not happen yesterday against Vinotinto, Carlos Delfino appeared before the Central Americans to bring Argentina afloat and bring Argentina to an essential victory to get one of the seven tickets available on the continent for the 2023 World Cup that will be played in the Philippines. Japan and Indonesia (from August 25 to September 10, 2023), with venues in Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta, respectively.

Lacking team play, this window became a problem for Argentina since it fails to build confidence that enhances its values ​​and disguises its defects. Against Panama it was evident that the hard slap he suffered against Venezuela has not yet healed. The defeat hurt a lot and it was noted against Panama that, at times, they took advantage of a beaten rival. In fact, Panama tried a match similar to the one Venezuela had achieved: physical, very physical, with a lot of friction. And he had it between the ropes.

With partial 19-14, 33-34 and 49-51, the Panamanians were close to the feat. But there, when he wavered with a possible KO, the sporting and spiritual leader of Argentina appeared: Carlos Delfino, the last link of the Golden Generation, to achieve a long-suffering victory. Delfino contributed 15 points (with 5/7 triples) and had 9 rebounds. His four triples in a row between the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the last served as an emotional trigger for Argentina to get out of the hole. In addition to Delfino, the figure of the game, there were also good performances from Marcos Delía (9 points and 6 rebounds), with a very good defense; also Marcos Mata (13 goals), with his great experience and serenity in key moments; and Nicolás Brussino (10 points and 5 rebounds), who hit a game-breaking 3-pointer with just 56 seconds remaining.

It cost but he won. This is how the match against Panama could be summed up. An important victory that adds up and serves to build. Doing it from the victory without losing sight of the mistakes will be favorable to think about what is coming for a National Team that is in a reconstruction plan.

“We have a hard time finding the game. You have to learn to win like that, playing badly. There are too many things to correct and improve. It’s a very big shirt and it costs…”Dolphin admitted.

Next steps:

The Argentine National Team will play again on June 30 with its participation in the American Qualifiers in its visit to leader Venezuela (they beat Paraguay 97-48). Three days later, also away from home, they will close the group stage against Panama.

How is the road to the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023:

There are 7 places for the World Cup that, in addition to the national team, are disputed by the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, the Virgin Islands, the United States and Venezuela. All of them divided into four groups of four teams.