BARQUISIMETO (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas Final4) – The Defending Champions of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas arrive to the Final4 with the added advantage of playing the Final4 at home.

The defending champion of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas, Guaros de Lara began the 2017 edition of the continental league in Monterrey, as part of Group B.

The defending champions qualified to the Semi-Final Phase of the continental league with a 2 - 1 record, that included victories over Caballos de Coclé (Panama), Leones de Quilpué (Chile) and a setback against hosts, Fuerza Regia (Mexico).

In their debut, the Venezuelans faced Caballos de Coclé and were handicapped by a lack of game rhythm that was the story of the team in this Group Phase. For many Guaros de Lara players this signified their return to the court after ending their participation in the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana last November, and due to the delay of the start of their national league. And Coclé played tough with a good performance from Ricky Sanchez, who finished with 19 points.

However, Guaros imposed their experience and closed strong in a match in which their offensive versatility was key. The Venezuelan club had four players in double figure and an elite distribution exhibition at the hands of Heissler Guillent, who contributed with 14 assists in the victory over Caballos by the score of 92-83.

Guaros won in their second game against Leones de Quilpué with a great start from veteran Luis Bethelmy, who scored 20 points in the first half of what was a dominant 103-80 victory. The Venezuelans secured their qualification with the win and even after falling against the host in the last day, advanced to the Semifinal Phase where they will continue their defense of the title.

On the third and final day of competition in the group, Fuerza Regia faced defending champion Guaros de Lara for the first place. It was a competitive game in which both team exchanged leads and had important performances by key players. For Fuerza Regia was Andy Panko, with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while for Guaros it was Zach Graham with 23 points, both responsible for carrying the offensive load of their teams.

In the end, the Mexican club closed the game with a very precise attack led by Panko who scored 10 points in the quarter. They won it by the score 84-78 and finished in first place of Group B with an undefeated 3-0 record.

Guaros de Lara returned to Monterrey to face the first Semi-Final Group of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas and faced Soles de Mexicali (Mexico), La Union de Formosa (Argentina), and the host Fuerza Regia (Mexico).

The Venezuelans opened their participation in the first semifinal of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 with an important and adjusted victory of 88-86 over Soles de Mexicali. The team were led by their centers, Keenan scored 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Guaros’ Gregory Echenique scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. The defending champion entered the last quarter with a 10-point lead, 75-65, but that was lost gradually in the closing moments. However, in the decisive minutes, Soles failed to find their offensive weapon in Keenan and Guaros took the victory with two free throws from their point guard Heissler Guillent.

The second victory for the Venezuelan team was more comfortable against a Union of Formosa who struggled to find rhythm along the Semifinal Group. The physical advantage of Guaros was too much for the Argentine team that lost the last quarter 25-17 and consequently the game by an 82-72 margin. The defending champion was led by North American Lazar Hayward Jr. who scored a double-double, with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Fuerza Regia confirmed its leadership and status as a favorite of this DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 with a 77-70 victory over Guaros de Lara in a well-fought match that needed overtime to determine a winner. The host came out furiously, in a first quarter they dominated 21-11, however, Guaros responded with an effective game in transition from the hand of their substitute point guard, Puerto Rican Alex Abreu. Fuerza Regia had its worst quarter of the competition with only 4 points scored in the second quarter.

The party had several exchanges of advantage until the last minute of regulation in which a three-pointer from Cristian Cortés tied the score and forced the overtime. In overtime, the host relied on their long-range effectiveness with four three-pointers, including a decisive one by Jordan Glynn, who sealed the victory. Fuerza Regia qualified to the Final4 in the first position and Guaros in the second position.

On the first day of Final4, the Leones de Ponce will take on Guaros de Lara and Fuerza Regia will face Bahia Basket. The winners will then play for the continental title.

The Final4 of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas will be played on March 17 and 18 in a venue to be announced.

The Liga de las Americas is broadcast through DIRECTV (América), Punto2 (Puerto Rico) and through the web at livebasketball.tv (subscription required).

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

FIBA