Ferro Takes Game 1 of Argentine Women's League Finals at Home, Defeats Obras 90-84

Ferro won 90-84 after trailing by 12 points in the first quarter. Flor Chagas of Obras led all scorers with 37 points. Game 2 is Thursday at Obras' arena. If Ferro wins again, they will be champions.

Obras got off to a quick start, leading 12-2. Ferro was struggling but remained stubborn and faithful to their style and game plan. Obras dominated the first half of the quarter at will with an 18-6 advantage.

Little by little, the home team regained confidence and composure to get back into the game.
With 2 minutes left in the period, they were within two possessions and entered the final minute tied at 22. Obras closed better and with a three-pointer by Florencia Chagas at the buzzer went into halftime 27-22.

Flor Chagas took the flag for Obras and led the way and the scoring at the start of the second quarter. The visitors pulled away 31-24. Ferro felt the blow and sought to tie it. Two free throws by Julia Fernández brought them within 1: 31-30. It was Obras that reacted with a scoring run. With 5 points from Sofía Novoa Ferrari they went up 38-32. The entry of Lucila Sampietro changed the dynamics of the home team's offense. With a layup and a three-pointer she cut it to 1, 38-37 with 3:53 on the clock.

That marked the turning point of the game. Ferro started to control the pace and the boards. With a basket by Florencia Fernandez, for the first time in the game they took the lead 41-40 with 2:42 until halftime. They got up by 7, but Obras trimmed it to just 5: 49-44.

Obras came out of the locker room as the aggressor. They regained the lead on a possession 52-51. But the home team, coached by Gabriel Fernández, did not hesitate to show their guts. With a three-pointer answered from the corner by Rivera Gayoso and a basket in transition by Julia Fernandez, they pulled away to 11: 66-55 with 2:32 left in the third. Obras coach Javier Iemini tried with a timeout to change the end of the period. But it was all Ferro as they sealed the quarter 73-59.

The trend continued into the middle of the fourth quarter. Ferro played at their own pace and pleasure. Obras tried to get back into the game without success. With 5:09 left the home team held a 12-point lead: 79-67. Foresto and Chagas brought Obras closer 79-72, but thanks to Gabriel Fernández's timeout, the home team regained composure and a 9-point advantage: 84-75 with 1 minute remaining. But a foul by Romagnoli on Chagas on a three-point attempt and a subsequent technical on the bench put Obras back in the game as Chagas converted 4 free throws. Then a three-pointer by Burani made it 86-82 with 44 seconds left.

The finish was thrilling, Ferro was disoriented and Obras tried unsuccessfully from beyond the arc. Baccarelli sealed the final result of 90-84 and Game 1 of the series with four made free throws.

Ferro (90): F. Fernández 17, J. Fernández 20, Carra 6, Sampietro 12, Piri 17; Rivera Gayoso 7, Romagnoli 7, Tribouley 0, Baccarelli 4

Obras (84): Chagas 37, Foresto 8, Novoa Ferrari 5, Burani 15, C. Gentinetta 13; Tapari 4, Bosque 0, Kolff 2, González 0, D. Gentinetta 0