The Argentine basketball team overwhelmed this Saturday Virgin Islands for 95-62, the debut of both teams in America’s Cupwhich takes place in the Brazilian city of Recife.

Fie the first commitment of the coach Paolo Prigioni at the top of the last world runner-up and his team showed team and precision, even if against a rival who did not expect too much and who on paper is the weakest in group B of the tournament, completed by Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic .

Prigioni, who as a player was part of the Golden Generation – he was part of the team that won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – took over the team just three days ago, after the turbulent and unexpected departure of Néstor Che García, who was in charge from 2021.

In their first match with the new manager, the Argentines dominated from start to finish, winning all quarters (24-29, 8-23, 13-21 and 17-22) and had an inspiration Nicola Laprovittola, Barcelona playmaker, who was the top scorer against the Virgin Islands, with 18 points. MVP of the match, however, was Facundo Campazzo, still without a club, who added 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals to his 13 points in 21 minutes of action.

In the first hour, for the same Group B, Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 88-82. The Puerto Ricans will be the next rivals of the national team. It will be this Sunday at 8:10 pm.

The tournament takes place at the Geraldo Magalhaes Coliseum in the city of Recife, in northeastern Brazil, and brings together twelve teams.

In Group A, Brazil, Canada, Uruguay and Colombia were paired, while Group C is made up of the United States, Venezuela, Mexico and Panama.

The top two of each group and the two best third parties will move on to the next stage of the Copa América, the final of which will be played on Sunday 11 September.

Source: EFE