MAR DEL PLATA (FIBA Americas League) - Quimsa rode the back of Argentina international center Roman Gonzalez to a 101-99 win over Halcones Xalapa on the opening day of the FIBA Americas League Final Four.

Gonzalez, who played a vital role for the Argentinians off the bench at the Beijing Olympics two years ago, is doing his best to ensure he’s in Sergio Hernandez’s squad for the FIBA World Championship later this year in Turkey.

He poured in 27 of his game-high 37 points in the second half against Xalapa of Mexico.

Quimsa trailed 80-73 with 7:34 remaining but baskets from Gonzalez, Julio Mazzaro and Albert White put Quimsa back on top and they scraped a narrow win.

Hernandez, meanwhile, is the coach of Final Four hosts Penarol and they romped to a 92-73 win over Espartanos de Margarita in the second game of the day.

Another Argentina international, Leo Gutierrez, scored 20 points while Kyle La Monte contributed 17 and Sebastián Rodríguez weighed in with 11 points and eight assists for Penarol.

Penarol, the winners of the inaugural FIBA Americas League two seasons ago, will now go up against Liga Nacional rivals Quimsa on Friday.

Venezuelans Espartanos will take on Halcones Xalapa in the opener.

FIBA