“Winning today was very important”

Iván Basualdo was one of the most prominent figures in Olimpia’s triumph against Olivol Mundial, imposing his game at the low post. After the meeting, he spoke with Basketball Total.

On the importance of the point won, he commented: “It was very important for us to get to this stage by winning this game and leaving positive. It was something very important to us”.

When talking about the first half, the most even section of the match, he said: “We know that they have been playing very intense matches, proposing this. The other day they played three extensions. We knew that we had to fight it to the end, that it was going to be a long match and that if at some point they made a difference to us we had to be attentive to be able to return or in case we get the advantage to be able to stretch it. We were taking it around”.

He also spoke of the change in strategy that Olimpia proposed for the second half: “The hoop opened for us and we were also able to run a little more. From there it was that we could make the difference”.

On the personal duel he had in the painting with Pedro Ianguas, he said: “I know him because he played in Argentina. I know he has a height difference going for him so I had to beat him on the rebounds more than anything by taking them out before he was in. When I could do that I took advantage”.

When talking about his performance in the game, he commented: “As I was letting go I was generating. It is something that takes time, although we have been training for a little over a month and a half, it takes a little time to settle in, I think we are on the right track and winning was very important for that.”.

Finally, he talked about how he lived his first passage through Uruguayan basketball: “It is very competitive. It’s hard for me to adapt, but it’s a matter of time and understanding. While the game is similar, it is also a bit more physical. I really want to face the challenge and end up adapting”.