RIO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) – São Paulo or Biguá. One of the two will become the new champion of the Basketball Champions League Americas after the grand Final this Saturday, starting at 7:00 p.m. local time (GMT -3), at the Arena Carioca 1 in Rio de Janeiro.

The trophy will have a new home for the third consecutive year. In the first edition Quimsa lifted the trophy and Flamengo won it all in 2021, which is undoubtedly an indication of how difficult the best continental club tournament is.

São Paulo and Biguá have traveled different paths to get here. The Brazilian team dominated the Group Stage as the only unbeaten team and has remained undefeated in the post season. While Biguá, after losing one of their first three games, has bounced back with seven wins in their last eight games.

In the playoffs, the São Paulo players took Real Estelí and Minas out of the race, mainly with their great depth and the different ways of scoring throughout the entire competition. Bruno Caboclo, Marquinhos, Corderro Bennett and Tyrone Curnell performed as expected despite missing Shamell Stallworth due to injury, but the American could be available for the Final.

The Uruguayan team, which knocked out Boca Juniors and Quimsa, has been led by the great performance of Donald Sims (35.5 points and 7.5 assists on average in the playoffs) and Luis Santos (24.5 points and 11.5 rebounds). But they also had great driving and effective ball movement that has allowed them to take comfortable shots. Now more than ever they will need more production from the supporting actors, especially from Victor Rudd who has been ineffective.

"We have to come focused on defense. We know they have (Donald) Sims, (Luis) Santos and (Victor) Rudd. If we do what we know how to do, I think we can come out with a great victory," said Corderro Bennett.

On Biguá's side they also agree that defense will be the determining factor. Sao Paulo has been very strong thanks to Caboclo, with almost 12 rebounds per game and 3.6 blocks, but Santos has also been a factor for his team with his 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.

"It will be a great challenge. We have to continue finding favorable situations in attack and make a good defensive approach," assured coach Diego Cal.

The Final will be available at ESPN (Brazil), DIRECTV Sports (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela), and the rest of the world on BCL Americas' Youtube channel.

Minas and Quimsa for consolation

Before the Final, Minas and Quimsa will meet to battle for third place and the Bronze medal (4:00 p.m. local time).

Minas gave the big surprise in the Quarter-Finals by defeating the defending champion Flamengo in front of their fans, while Quimsa dominated Cangrejeros, but later in the Semi-Finals they fell short against the brand new finalists.

"It is not easy to fight to be among the three best in the Americas, so what is being disputed must be highly valued. Quimsa has many qualities and it will be a very tough game," said Minas coach Leonardo Costa.

FIBA