Argentina 109, Panama 92 (OT)

August 26, 2007 � Las Vegas, Nevada

Preliminary Round action in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 wrapped up on Sunday night with undefeated Argentina facing Panama. Not recognizing its� apparent underdog status, Panama looked poised to knock the Argentines from their perch of perfection, shared with only with the 4-0 Americans. In a back-and-forth battle which needed overtime to decide it, Argentina ultimately retained its� unblemished record, tallying a 109-92 triumph.

Trailing by as many as 14 points early in the game, Panama fought back to take a 63-59 lead heading to the fourth quarter. When Jamar Warren connected on a three-pointer with just over four minutes remaining to give Panama a 77-68 lead, it looked as if the biggest upset of the first round was about to occur

Argentina, however, would not go away, storming back to tie it at 79 apiece with just under two minutes to play. Carlos Delfino�s steal and breakaway dunk then gave Argentina an 81-79 lead with 1:30 remaining. Back-and-forth it went as Jaime Lloreda�s layup just 15 seconds later tied it again.

Luis Scola made two free throws to give Argentina the lead again at 83-81, but those would be his final points of the evening. Gary Forbes drove the length of the floor and made a layup while also drawing contact from Scola, marking his fifth and final foul.

Forbes made the free throw and gave Panama an 84-83 lead. On Argentina�s next possession, Paolo Quinteros missed a three-point try and when Pablo Prigioni was whistled for going over the back in his failed attempt to secure the offensive rebound, Joel Munoz would step to the line for Panama. Munoz hit one-of-two foul shots and Panama led 85-83.

Diego Logrippo got free on the following trip down the floor, dunking home the tying basket with 25 seconds to play. Panama worked the shot clock down and missed a jumper from the top of the key near the end of regulation. A half-court heave by Argentina at the buzzer was no good, and the game headed to overtime.

It was all Argentina in the extra session, as Panama was outscored by 17 points in the five minute overtime. Quinteros would score seven points in the final session and Argentina escaped with a 109-92 victory.

Forbes scored a game-high 29 points for Panama in defeat while Quinteros� 22 points led Argentina.

SERGIO HERNANDEZ, ARGENTINA HEAD COACH
Did you think this game was going to be as challenging as it was?
Before anything I want to say that I have great respect for Panama. From all the questions earlier, I felt that people assumed we would win against Panama much easier, but I never considered that idea. I believe Panama has the same talent as any one other team; they beat Mexico before and gave us a run for our money tonight. They just had a bad night against Puerto Rico. I also think that playing a late game last night and not practicing this morning affected our concentration. We are a team of hard work. There is not much else to say.

The sign of a great team is to win games that maybe they shouldn't have, admittedly this game was extremely difficult but you found a way to pull it out at the end. Do you agree?
I think that if you win when you don't play great is a good sign. It's true. That is why I have said earlier about respecting Panama as they are a good team. They played to win the game today. Maybe our concentration was about fifty percent today and that affected us, but good teams have to know to win even if they are not playing their best game.

DIEGO LO GRIPPO, ARGENTINA
Before the tournament, did you ever think that you were going to play such a key role as you are now?
No, I've always dreamed about playing on the tournament. It's been a few years that I have been with the national team and I think this has been the most important tournament for me. Other than that, I have been doing what I always do, making the plays
I have to make and taking advantage of every opportunity possible in hopes of helping our team.

You were very consistent on tonight's game, especially in the come back. Did you feel you had to take a bigger role than normal?
I always try to do the same, to play my best and help the team. I work on my attitude and concentration before I start to play and give it my all. Tonight, I might have had the opportunity to help out more than on other games, but this does not mean anything. Today it was me, but tomorrow is someone else. The important thing is that the team played well� late, but on the right time. I am very happy to have gotten this victory, and I look forward to what is to come.

VICENTE DUNCAN, PANAMA HEAD COACH
Could you give us your thoughts about tonight's game?
It was very disappointing. We executed our game plan, but at the end we kind of missed our center. Other than that, we performed the task given to us. We had a strong team to fight for the qualification, but towards the end of this game we realized we needed more experience. Within the regulation game time, we should have won it. Either way, the players who were on the court had a good taste of what it is to play international basketball.

What was your strategy for tonight's game?
We decided we wanted to go for the win. So at the end we just said to hold the ball for one shot and whatever happens happens. If we could have done it again, I think it was better for him to drive the ball to the basket instead of taking the shot. Either way, we just had to take the last shot.