Argentina on a continuous upswing reclaims gold in men's basketball. © cabboficial

Argentina arrived at the Pan American Games with the aim of defending the title they won in Lima four years ago, but with a team that bore little resemblance to that side of the past. In the Peruvian capital, the Albiceleste was able to call on the services of almost all their stars, including Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck (Real Madrid, Spain), Nico Laprovittola (Barcelona, Spain), Nico Brussino (Gran Canaria, Spain), and even the legendary, now retired, Luis Scola.

Venezuela, on the other hand, had nothing to lose after stunning Brazil 77-84 in the semi-finals to reach its first-ever Pan American final. In fact, they had never been on the podium. The task was undeniably daunting, as the Argentinians grew stronger as the tournament wore on after struggling in thier first-phase matches (a 95-88 overtime victory over Venezuela, a 77-85 win over Panama and an 82-81 triumph over the Dominican Republic, also in overtime). In the semi-finals, however, they put on a show against Mexico (108-73).

© cabboficial
© cabboficial

The 'Vinotinto' knew how to respond in the second quarter when they found themselves trailing 27-17 with 6:45 to go in the half. The champions were determined and at half-time the scoreboard showed a 43-34 lead, with Franco Baralle, the talented point guard who signed for Brazilian club Minas Storm last summer, scoring eight points in quick succession.

The third quarter was the final blow, as Venezuela's hopes were dashed by a 27-10 run. They overcame a 12-point deficit in the final quarter to lose 79-65 at Polideportivo 1.

© cabboficial
© cabboficial

Argentina won its second gold medal in a row and third overall with an outstanding performance. Standouts included Franco Lugarini (Argentinean Weber Bahia) with 17 points and six rebounds, Baralle with 15 points and a 3/7 record from the three-point range, and the colossal Javier Saiz of Argentinean Regatas de Córdoba with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Venezuela' best player was Garly Sojo, who was drafted by the NBA in 2021, with 17 points.

This success will not erase the double disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup earlier in the autumn, and, more importantly, for Paris 2024. Still, it is always nice to win, and the Argentina did so by being the best team in the tournament.