MIAMI (United States) - Before the BCL Americas’ second edition, this one appeared to be one of the closest groups, and it turned out to be true after the first window. It was the only zone that ended with one victory per team, and all matches were narrow and defined in the last quarter.

Real Estelí, local in Managua, started by defeating Caballos de Coclé 78-69, and the latter then recovered winning 74-67 against Titanes de Barranquilla. In turn, the Colombian team finished with a smile, beating the Nicaraguans 88-79.

The team led by David Rosario maintained its base with the always-dangerous Jezreel De Jesús leading them, and the arrival of some reinforcements like Renaldo Balkman, member of the star lineup of window one, with averages of 19.5 points and 9 rebounds. De Jesús spoke about Real Estelí’s performance: "We did a good job, and we have to maintain the same idea in the upcoming window.”

Titanes left Managua feeling good because, after the doubts it had left in its debut against Caballos, it had a good recovery against the locals, and it knows it will be fundamental to play at home in the second window. “We had great collective work, and we took an important victory. Now, we’ll play as locals and we must make the most of it,” said Jonathan Rodríguez, one of the best players of the Colombian team.

Caballos de Coclé, Panama’s champion, also achieved a valuable performance winning one of the two matches and it approaches the new window looking forward to getting closer to the quarterfinals. “We did a good job, we’re ready and excited about what’s coming. Caballos wants to qualify,” said Eugenio Luzcando, one of the players of Panama’s National Team at the AmeriCup qualifiers.

The next window is in Colombia; on March 4th is the match between Titanes and Caballos, and on the 5th, the Panamanians will face Real Estelí, but the main course will be the match on 3/6, between the locals and the Nicaraguans. Who will leave the best impression facing the quarterfinals?

FIBA