Gerardo Suero returned and Antonio Peña finally appeared for the national basketball team.
Suero scored 20 points and Peña, acting as a nationalized player, contributed others to guide the Dominican Republic to beat Argentina 80-69 in Thursday night’s game in the fifth window of the Americas qualifier for next year’s World Cup in Japan , Philippines and Indonesia.
With their victory, the Dominicans raise their record to 6-3 in Group E, the same record held by the Argentines, who missed their main offensive figures.
Suero went 6-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-3 on triples. Peña scored four triples, while Rigoberto Mendoza contributed 14.
the offensive bench
Led by Suero and Peña, the Dominican substitutes outscored their rivals 47-26. Those guided by Néstor –Ché- García scored 11 shots from three (22-11) for just four of the Argentines (22-4).
Andrés Feliz had eight points and six assists, Jean Montero contributed seven and Ángel Delgado added six with nine rebounds.
Nicolás Brussino (16), Lucio Redivo (12), Marcos Delía (10) and Juan Vaulet (9) were the best for Argentina, which won the rebounding battle (40-32), but had 19 turnovers for only 11 of the Creoles.
The first half ended with a score of 41-33 in favor of the Dominicans.
The homeowners were taking advantage of Argentina’s loose balls and quick attacks in transition.
Argentine reaction
In the third quarter, the Argentines started with an offense closer to the rim and took advantage of a drop in the Dominican offense to get closer to 46-43 on the scoreboard.
However, two three-pointers by Antonio Peña –separated by about 40 minutes due to a stoppage due to roof leaks- and another two by Gerardo Suero revived the Dominican attack to reach the last 10 minutes with a 61-52 lead.
Next match
On Sunday from 6 pm on the same stage, the Dominican team will receive the visit of Venezuela.
For February, in the sixth and last window, he will be traveling through Panama and Argentina.