Pinheiros Basquete secures decisive win and reaches Interligas final
On the night of July 10, Pinheiros Basquete edged out Argentina's Ferro Carril Oeste 76‑72 at the Sesi gym in Vila Leopoldina, booking a spot in the showdown against La Union Formosa this Sunday.
What happened in the game?
The contest started tight, but Pinheiros' offense clicked in the third quarter. Lucas Thor poured in 17 points, hitting five threes and grabbing three rebounds. Lucca Boracina dished five assists, collected six boards and scored 15 points, posting an efficiency rating of 18. The team tallied 40 total rebounds (14 offensive), while the Argentine side managed 39, with only eight on the offensive glass. Tomagusuku led the opposition with 19 points.
Why does the win matter for Pinheiros Basquete?
The victory in the opening round guarantees Pinheiros Basquete a place in the Interligas final, a joint tournament of Brazil's Liga Nacional and Argentina's Liga, featuring Development League squads from both nations. The result sets up a clash with La Union Formosa, which beat Sesi Franca 76‑62 the same day. A win in that second matchup could crown Pinheiros as the international development champion.
What comes next?
Saturday, July 11, sees Pinheiros Basquete take on Sesi Franca at 18:15, needing a win to keep title hopes alive. Sunday, July 12, the final against La Union Formosa is scheduled for 17:15, also at Sesi Vila Leopoldina. Meanwhile, the Interligas standings show La Union Formosa already atop after its victory over Sesi Franca, while Ferro Carril Oeste looks to bounce back.
Individual highlights and key stats
Beyond Thor and Boracina, Caldeira added 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Grigor secured 10 rebounds, five points and two assists. The collective effort displayed balanced scoring and a strong presence in the paint, elements that will be essential against the next Argentine opponent.