MIAMI (United States) – The Basketball Champions League Americas Group Stage is over, and we finally know the 8 teams advancing to the Quarterfinals: Halcones de Xalapa, Real Estelí (Group A); Quimsa, Nacional (Group B); Flamengo, Hebraica Macabi (Group C) and SESI Franca, Obras (Group D).

Several teams got better as the tournament progressed and finished on a positive note, while others fell short of expectations. Taking into account the third and last Group Stage, these are our latest power rankings:

12. UdeC (0)

Record: 0-6

Their performance was disappointing after advancing to the Quarterfinals last season. They were the only team to go winless this season.

11. Gladiadores de Anzoátegui (-1)

Record: 2-4

The Venezuelan squad started in good form but faded away down the stretch. A head coaching change before this last stage wasn’t enough to turn things around, and they ended up losing their last 3 games and being eliminated.

10. Boca Jrs (-3)

Record: 2-4

Despite having a good performance in their domestic league, Boca Jrs could never find consistency during this season of BCL Americas and ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of the Group Stage. At least they did finish their slate with a win in front of their home crowd.

9. Hebraica Macabi (-3)

Record: 2-4

The Uruguayan champion beat Boca Jrs twice and that allowed them to go to the playoffs. In this last stage, they lost both games and didn’t look particularly sharp, with the caveat that they played the games without much pressure knowing that they had already qualified to the next round.

8. Sao Paulo (+3)

Record: 3-3

Alongside Boca, São Paulo was the other big disappointment. Despite finishing strong with a pair of wins at home that allowed them to finish 3-3, their rough start (which included a 112-65 loss to Quimsa in their debut) put them in too deep a hole and in last place in the triple-tie in Group B.

7. Real Estelí (+2)

Record: 3-3

Real Estelí showed their experience and pedigree in this tournament, getting past Gladiadores to advance to the playoffs. They have never missed that instance of BCL Americas, which speaks to their consistency in the competition.

6. Nacional (-1)

Record: 3-3

In their debut during the 2021-22 season, the Montevideo club couldn’t get past the Group Stage, but this time they did thanks to great performances against a couple of former champions like Quimsa and São Paulo. No one was betting on them to make the playoffs, making this feat even more impressive.

5. Quimsa (-3)

Record: 3-3

They stumbled to close the Group Stage, suffering 3 consecutive losses and barely advancing to the next round. These poor performances will be a wakeup call for them, as adjustments will be needed ahead of the Quarterfinals.

4. Obras (+4)

Record: 4-2

They defended their home court successfully during the last stage and stopped the undefeated streak of reigning champions SESI Franca, who also won it all last year without losing a single game. Head coach Diego Vadell’s couldn’t have had a better debut and, for the first time in the history of the competition, they advanced to the playoffs.

3. Halcones de Xalapa (+1)

Record: 4-2

The Mexican representative is one of the hottest teams in the tournament, winning their last 4 games after starting 0-2. The seven roster changes they made starting with the second stage completely changed the team’s dynamic. They’re now a more versatile squad and have a great chance of advancing to the Final 4.

2. SESI Franca (-1)

Record: 5-1

The defending champions lost the top spot in this ranking after ending their undefeated streak but remain a big favorite to win it all again. In these last two stages, they couldn’t count on their full roster due to injuries and other reasons, but their backups – especially youngsters Paulo Barbosa and Eduardo Elevi – took a big step forward, giving head coach Helinho even more options heading into the Quarterfinals.

1. Flamengo (+2)

Record: 5-1

Just like Halcones, the Rio de Janeiro squad has now won four in a row and reminded everyone why they’re the most decorated team in the continent. The arrival of center Devon Scott and Kayo Manfio’s breakout seem to have given the team a stability they were lacking earlier in the tournament.

NOTE: Power rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent true or accurate systems of qualification. All the comments are the writer’s own.

FIBA