TALCA (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2018) - As Liga de las Américas 2018 continues, we're closer to the moment when the ball goes up in the air to mark the start of Group B. Español de Talca (Chile), San Lorenzo (Argentina), Paulistano (Brasil) and Mogi (Brasil) are the teams that will try to get to the Semi-Finals phase, where already two Group A qualified teams are waiting for their new rivals: Ferro (Argentina) and Fuerza Regia (Mexico).

This is the second time around for hosts Español in the continent’s most important club competition, and they are doing so as champions of the last edition of the Chile National Basketball League. Their last appearance was in 2011, and they left in the first phase, with one win and two defeats. In the current season they're facing a negative record of 14 wins and 17 losses. Francisco Bravo, their point guard, is ranked second among the tournament’s best passers, with 7.33 assists per game. The Chilean team added Kenny Adekele, from Nigeria, exclusively for the continental tournament, to cover for Terrence Shannon, who was this season's highest scorer.

San Lorenzo will try to take to the international stage the excellent performance they have portrayed in local arenas. The champions of the last two seasons of the Argentine National League is the only leader in the current edition, with 12 triumphs and only one defeat. Quality reinforcements, Dar Tucker and Javier Justiz, were added to the already very good team that played in Liga de las Américas 2017 and was eliminated in Semis. Many eyes will be set on Gabriel Deck’s performance, who's the best Argentine player to currently play in the country. The national team small forward averages 20.8 points per game in the current season.

Paulistano entered Liga de las Américas 2018 because they reached second place in the Brazil National League (NBB, for its Portuguese acronym) championship. They are now second in the NBB season, with 13 triumphs and 3 defeats. The team coached by Gustavo de Conti features the leader in assists in the Brazilian league, Elinho, with 7.2 points per game. Their greatest scorer is Kyle Fuller, with 13.6 points per game. Deryk Ramos, with 11.5 points and 3.5 assists is also noteworthy. After a three-year absence, Paulistano are now returning for their second appearance in the Americas’ most important tournament. In 2015, they couldn’t overcome the qualifying phase and bade farewell with one victory and two losses.

Mogi das Cruzes have a nice memory of their previous —and only— experience in the tournament. In 2016, they reached the Final Four and took home the third place after defeating Flamengo. In the NBB's current season, they're in third place with 12 wins and three defeats. Their star is veteran player Shamell (17.3 points per game at the NBB), who was champion and MVP of Liga de las Américas in 2013 with Pinheiros (Brazil). Another of their outstanding men is experienced player Larry Taylor, who in 2015 was also a Liga de las Américas champion, but with Baurú (Brazil).

DIRECTV Liga de las Américas Group B promises to keep the high level of performance it showcased in the beginning of the competition. There’s a wide variety of things to see; players with international experience and a promising future, teams that come back after a three-year absence and others that renovate their intentions of taking the title home. The wait is over.

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FIBA