MANAGUA (Nicaragua) - The BCL Americas left the first phase behind and the quarterfinals are approaching, which will be in Managua (Nicaragua), from April 10 to 13. With great candidates for the title of this second edition. The first duel will put together San Lorenzo and Sao Paulo, two of the top contenders for the championship.

San Lorenzo got to the semifinals last year, where it lost against the champion, Quimsa, and now it wants to go for it all. Will have its full team, although they'll evaluate Máximo Fjellerup at the very last moment, since he lost part of the first phase due to an injury.

Kevin Hernández, one of the best players of the team, said: "I think all the teams are at a similar level. Sao Paulo is pretty strong, and always tries to prevail; none of the matches will be easy. We're all following the same rules by playing in Nicaragua, in the same venue. We have a lot of energy to improve our game and we're preparing for the occasion."

In the case of Sao Paulo, which ended in Group B's second place, after Quimsa, they have Lucas Mariano as their great star, and he's one of the top scorers of the BCL Americas. The Brazilian team will move in for the kill, with Renan as a revelation, who comes from scoring 38 points in the NBB (the Brazilian national league).

"San Lorenzo is a very tough rival, but there was no way of avoiding them in these instances of the competition. It's a team we know and have information from. They have a high level, like most Argentine teams. We're hoping to play a great match, like we did against Quimsa," said Claudio Mortari, the coach.

The first quarterfinals match will be this Saturday 4/10 at 11:40 (local time) in the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello of Managua, Nicaragua. The winner will play the semifinals against the victor of Flamengo-Caballos.

FIBA