AP Preview: Olimpico at San Martin, Liga A

CORRIENTES, Argentina (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the congested middle of the Argentinian Liga A table will meet Sunday when San Martin hosts Olimpico at El Fortin Rojinegro.

Both clubs enter the matchup with nearly identical records. The home side, San Martin, sits at 13-17 across all competitions following a heartbreaking 89-87 overtime loss to Obras Sanitarias on Tuesday. The visiting Olimpico squad is 13-18 and arrives with momentum, having won four of its last five games, including an 87-78 victory over La Union on April 5.

The contest features a compelling clash of in-form players. Olimpico will lean on forward Jose Ascanio, who has been a consistent offensive force. He is averaging 19.2 points over his last five games, including a 23-point, 9-rebound performance in the win over La Union. His versatility was on full display in a March 19 win over Obras, where he posted 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.

San Martin will counter with center Daniel Lima, a dominant presence on the glass. Lima is coming off a monstrous 17-rebound, 13-point effort in the overtime loss to Obras. His rebounding prowess has been a constant; he has pulled down 10 or more boards in three of his last four appearances.

The season series currently favors Olimpico, which secured a 77-64 home win over San Martin on Jan. 18. San Martin will look to defend its home court and split the head-to-head series.

For Olimpico, secondary scoring behind Ascanio has been key during their recent surge. Guards Ramiro Santiago and Santiago Douthat combined for 34 points in the latest win. San Martin’s backcourt, led by Victor Fernandez (16 points, 8 assists vs. Obras) and Gaston Garcia, will need to match that production to support Lima’s interior work.

With both teams separated by just half a game in the standings, Sunday’s matchup carries significant weight for playoff positioning as the Liga A season progresses.

The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) at El Fortin Rojinegro in Corrientes.