PONCE (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - There are athletes who persist in defying the passage of time and one of those is Panamanian Michael Hicks, who at 40 continues to show quality and precision, something he demonstrated, during the Group Phase of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas.

His individual work and that of Hebraica Macabi raised praises. It is this positive image that motivates Hicks and the Uruguayan champion to be taken into account for the second semifinal group of the continental tournament to be held in Ponce, where the last two tickets for the Final4 will be disputed.

What is the reality of the team for the Semi-Final Phase of the LDA?
The team is on the rise in this last stage and is well. We had the last game of the Super League in Uruguay last Thursday, finishing first in the regular phase. This allows us to wait for rivals, giving us a chance to take a breath and think about the Liga de las Americas, an international competition that is very important for us.

In the first phase of the competition, Hebraica left a very good image. What are the highlights of the team and what needs to be improved in the Semi-Final Phase?
What stands out from the team is the work, the union and the knowledge of the role that each one of us fulfills. That was showed in the qualifying group, which allowed us to move into the Semi-Final Phase. Now, we must improve in concentration to have an even performance in each game. We must also be somewhat more aggressive in defense.

What do you think of the Semi-Final Group, along with Leones de Ponce (PUR), San Lorenzo (ARG) and Bahia Basket (ARG)?
As we progress I the Liga de las Americas we find stronger teams, it is logical. In Ponce we will face a very hard group. We have already faced the two Argentine teams, both in this tournament and in the Liga Sudamericana. We have good information a good scouting to face the team we will face.

FIBA