MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - Group B of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas tips-off today in Monterrey, Mexico with the participation of Leones de Quilpué (Chile), Caballos de Coclé (Panama), host Fuerza Regia and defending champion Guaros de Lara (Venezuela).

It's a group with two clear favorites to qualify for the Semifinal Phase.

The host Fuerza Regia has one of the most experienced and talented teams of this 2017 edition. Captained by national team players Héctor Hernández, Juan Toscano, Adrián Zamora, Carlos Rivera (Puerto Rico) and imported veterans Andrew Panko and Jeleel Akindele. The Mexican club has a record of 30 games won and 1 defeat in the first position of the National Professional Basketball League of Mexico. It is a versatile team, with many offensive weapons and the advantage of playing at home, that categorizes the team as one of the favorites of Group B.

Defending champion Guaros de Lara returns to the continental stage with a squad of familiar faces, a new head coach and little playing time due to the delay of the start of their national league. They return with Venezuelan nationals Gregory Echenique, Luis Bethelmy, Nestor Colmenares and Heissler Guillent, as well as imported Zach Graham. Puuerto Rican Alex Abreu joined the team, along with Leon Rodgers and Russell Carter, and new team coach Jorge Arrieta. It is a team that reaches this Group B with a lower level of imported players, without Damian Wilkins (MVP last season) and Tyshawn Taylor, and without national league games played, so the team has a disadvantage. But, its Venezuelan core is strong and experienced enough to get one of the two places to the Semifinal Phase.

Looking to surprise Guaros will be Panamanian club Caballos de Coclé and the Chilean club Leones de Quilpué.

The Panamanian club Caballos de Coclé, who arrives at Monterrey with a squad of national team players like Joel Muñoz, Jonathan and Daniel King (Panama) and Ricky Sánchez (Puerto Rico), along with his compatriot and copious scorer Ricardo Melendez, and captain Mauricio Watson. The team, led by David Rosario, finished his participation in the National League of Panama, where they finished in second place after falling in the final series against Correcaminos de Colón.

The fourth member of Group B, Leones de Quilpué is a veteran club in the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017, having participated in four previous occasions. The champion of the Chile Cup returns under the command of Coach Claudio Jorquera, who will bet on the game rhythm that the team has for this edition. Leones de Quilpué currently disputes the playoffs of their national league, where they have a 3-1 lead over Universidad Católica and arrives at Monterrey with the addition of imported players Mike Glover and DeAndre Coleman.

The itinerary of the group can be seen here.

The Liga de las Americas will be played in three phases: Group Stage, Semifinal Phase and Final Four. In the Group Phase the teams have been divided into four (4) groups of four (4) teams each that will play in round-robin format for three (3) days. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the Semifinal Phase.

Group A was held last week and qualified the Soles de Mexicali (Mexico) and La Unión de Formosa (Argentina).

In the Semifinal Phase, teams will be divided into two (2) groups of four (4) teams each and will play in round-robin format for three (3) days. The best two (2) teams from each Semifinal group will advance to the Final Four, where the Champion of the Americas will be crowned.

The defending champion of the competition is Guaros de Lara (Venezuela).

The Liga de las Americas will be broadcasted in DIRECTV (Americas), Telemundo (Puerto Rico) and livebasketball.tv (subscription required).

For the best coverage of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017, visit ligamericas.com and our @ligamericas social networks.

FIBA