Instituto de Córdoba defeated Olympic de La Banda 73 to 62 in the fifth game of the series at La Caldera and qualified for the final. La Gloria enters next time with home advantage and a good team of people, now they will have home court advantage in the seven-game series against Boca Juniors. Negro’s scorer was Penka Aguirre and the converts of new finalist Bryan Jefferson and Javier Saiz.
Institute, two finals in three years
The match at Alta Córdoba was close, but Lucas Victoriano’s men were on top for most of the match. This is a game with a lot of courage and in which nothing less than a direct ticket to the final against Boca Juniors is defined. La Gloria led the scoreboard, but Olympic did not allow it to be served on a plate and at times, it also led with the good hands of Nicolás ‘El Penka’ Aguirre (13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals).
Instituto always returned to the top in points, but they were unable to break the barrier of five units difference with the bandeños. Bryan Jefferson (13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal) contributed to the scoring where he was 6/7 from the field. La Gloria were the best in the game, but not by much, as they were ahead at halftime by three conversions behind their rivals.
The second half was no different, it was full of rough edges and the team started gloriously, losing everything they threw at it. Olimpico took advantage of local mistakes and took the lead again, but not by much. Throughout the third period, Vildoza and Lugarini had Instituto, scoring important balls to finally give Victoriano’s team a big advantage.
El Negro Bandeño tried to approach Romano’s game, forcing Roberto Acuña to sit on the bench due to fouls, but it was to no avail. With the expulsion of Toro, Javier Saiz entered (13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal) who also maintained the difference achieved by his teammates and allowed Instituto to reach a new final of the National League, the second in three years.
What will the finals be like?
The National League finals will have Institute with home field advantage in the series for finishing second in the regular season. They will face Boca in a repeat of last season’s semifinals, where Xeneize won.
The dates will be:
Game 1 | Saturday 6/7 | Ángel Sandrín (Córdoba)
Game 2 | Monday 8/7 | | Ángel Sandrín (Córdoba)
Game 3 | Thursday 7/11 | Luis Conde (CABA)
Game 4 | Saturday 7/13 | Luis Conde (CABA)
Game 5 | Tuesday 7/16 | | Ángel Sandrín (Córdoba)*
Game 6 | Friday 7/19 | Luis Conde (CABA) *
Game 7 | Monday 6/22 | | Ángel Sandrín (Córdoba)*
* If needed.
Photo: Institute Press and National Basketball League
Source: Tycsports
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