SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, Argentina (Interstat) — Quimsa, boasting the best record in the Argentinian Liga A, hosts Instituto Cordoba on Monday night at Estadio Ciudad de Santiago del Estero in a matchup that carries significant playoff implications.

Quimsa enters with a 24-9 mark, having won six of its last seven games. The home side has been especially dominant in recent weeks, including an 85-59 rout of Instituto on Saturday, May 9 (Interstat) — the most recent meeting between the teams. In that game, Quimsa’s Leonardo Lema recorded 21 points, six rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes, while Sam Freeman added five points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Robinson chipped in 10 points.

Lema, a guard, has been a consistent offensive force. In his past five games, he has averaged 18.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. He scored 14 points in a 110-102 overtime win at Independiente on April 18 and posted 11 points in a 92-73 victory at Atenas on April 14.

Instituto Cordoba (24-19) has lost three of its last five games, including a 79-78 heartbreaker to Quimsa on April 16 in Cordoba. That loss came on a last-second basket by Quimsa and marked the second straight narrow defeat for Instituto in the season series. The two teams have split their two meetings this season, but Quimsa holds the advantage on aggregate scoring, 164-137.

Forward Tomas Monacchi has been a key contributor for Instituto. In his most recent game, a 59-85 loss to Quimsa on May 9, he recorded nine points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes. Over his last five contests, Monacchi has averaged 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds, including a 15-point, seven-rebound effort in the April 16 defeat to Quimsa. He also played 38 minutes in a 76-77 overtime loss to Obras Sanitarias on April 30, finishing with eight points and six rebounds.

Instituto’s last win came on May 2, a 74-70 home victory over Obras Sanitarias. Guard Gaston Whelan led the team with 13 points in that game. Leandro Vildoza contributed six points, four rebounds and three assists.

Quimsa’s depth has been a major strength. The team has won its past three games by an average of 22.3 points and has scored at least 85 points in five of its last six outings. Monday’s game is part of a busy stretch for both teams as they jockey for position in the Liga A standings.

Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. local time.