MIAMI (United States – The second group stage of the Basketball Champions League Americas Group Stage will take place on January 17-28. With the games just around the corner, we’re bringing you our first Power Rankings, taking into account how teams fared during the first group stage and their performances in their own national league.

12. São Paulo

BCL Americas Record: 0-2

It’s hard to fathom that the former champions sit in last place, but they lacked intensity during their first two games and are currently last in point differential (-52). They’re also struggling in Brazil’s NBB competition, holding an 8-12 record at the time of publication.

11. UdeC

BCL Americas Record: 0-2

After getting through the Group Stage during last year’s edition of BCLA, this year’s run started with a pair of losses that have left them with little margin of error. On the positive side of the ledger, they just won Copa Chile for the third consecutive time and that could boost their morale heading into these next home games.

10. Halcones de Xalapa

BCL Americas Record: 0-2

The Mexican team had a slow start, but Group A looks to be one of the most even, giving them room to maneuver. However, they’re now forced to respond in kind to avoid falling into a deeper hole. To that effect, they recently announced roster changes.

9. Gladiadores de Anzoátegui

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

The Venezuelan champions had a good showing in the first group stage and even led most of the way in their loss against Real Estelí. Now, they’ll play at home and must capitalize to recover in the group. A bad showing here could lead to their elimination.

8. Nacional

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

They proved to be a dangerous team, but their next two games will be key. Nacional will be the home squad, but not in their own stadium (repairs couldn’t be completed in time) so they’ll host their opponents at Obras in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They currently boast a 10-2 record in their own national league at the time of publication.

7. Hebraica Macabi

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

The Uruguayan champions made it very tough for Obras and Flamengo, defeating the Argentinians and leaving the group all tied up. They have a balanced roster but haven’t yet found the consistency they seek, as proven by their 8-6 LUB record at the time of publication.

6. Obras

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

Obras are determined to advance to the Quarterfinals for the first time and in their first two games they showed what they’re capable of. They played tough against defending champions SESI Franca despite the final score. They’re a team playing at a high level, reflected by their 9-4 record at Argentina’s LNB, placing them in 5th place.

5. Boca Jrs.

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

They had a spectacular showing in the first group stage this season which led them all the way to first place in Group C. They started by losing to Macabi Hebraica, but then pulled a huge upset against Flamengo on the road. That last performance shows that they can beat anyone on a good day. Their challenge is to find consistency, something they’re also lacking at home with a 9-6 record.

4. Flamengo

BCL Americas Record: 1-1

Flamengo disappointed at home in their harsh defeat at the hands of Boca but boast one of the best rosters of the competition and are poised to bounce back in Window 2 after a string of great performances at the domestic NBB level (where they have a 17-2 record). They’ll now be looking to extend that performance to the international level.

3. Real Estelí

BCL Americas Record: 2-0

The “Tren del Norte” is used to great results in Group Stages and this year has been no different, winning both of their games at home in Window 1. They’ll now head overseas, but a roster that talented and experiences is still the favorite in Group A.

2. SESI Franca

BCL Americas Record: 2-0

The defending champions look like a very serious contender to keep their crown despite not having a roster as deep as last year, when they won at the domestic, continental and intercontinental levels. Their depth and strength could easily have them at the top of this listing, but despite their great NBB performance (15-4), they’re not currently the best statistical team of BCLA.

1. Quimsa

BCL Americas Record: 2-0

The Argentinian champions had a dominant start to their campaign and boast a +55 point differential. They currently have the best offense (99.0 points per game) and the second-best defense (71.5 points allowed per game) only behind Boca’s 65.5. They’re also amid a torrid start at the domestic level, with a single loss in 13 games. Could we see Quimsa reclaim the BCL Americas title in Season 5?

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.

FIBA