MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas) - A defeated Fuerza Regia arrived at the first qualifying group of Liga de las Américas. The five consecutive losses they were carrying from their national league were always present on their minds creating doubts, and because of this, the news of their pass to the continental tournament's Semis was received with joy by the Monterrey squad.

“Qualifying is cause for joy and pride. We knew this group would be difficult and that we would have a significant physical shortcoming in some of the positions. This was demonstrated in this epic victory against Soles, we came from quite behind. This was a prize for always believing in our own game,” said coach Paco Olmos.

The Spaniard analyzed his team's performance in this first stage, where they clearly triumphed against Capitanes de Arecibo (Puerto Rico) and nerve-rackingly did so against Soles de Mexicali (Mexico). However, they also succumbed to Ferro (Argentina).

Olmos valued “the drive to compete and win that we showed in the first two matches” and also pointed out that they “are always looking how to develop our game and our defensive energy.”

Nonetheless, he’s also aware of what he didn't like of his team’s appearances, like “the first half against Ferro, where it seemed as if we were already satisfied with qualifying. We can't allow that attitude. We need a more balanced attack and to respect the systems. We're missing that big man —that inside reference— to close plays.”

Fuerza Regia suffered many changes regarding the lineup that achieved the title last year in their national league and reached the Final Four at Liga de las Américas. For this campaign they already integrated several modifications, and that seems to play a part on the fact that they have yet to consolidate their game.

“We're looking for our definitive style; what we want to be. We need continuity, but we have our highs and lows. In the next few days we’ll make some rearrangements again to cover the positions better. If we want to regain the Fuerza Regia 2017 image, players must use this first experience in Liga de las Américas, take a step forward and understand that the team is more important than personal aspects,” the coach clearly stated.

The other Mexican team, Soles de Mexicali, were, for Fuerza Regia, a very special opponent due to their internal rivalry and because during this season of their national league, Soles beat Mexicali in the four games they played against each other. Fuerza’s dramatic triumph in the second half of overtime was a sort of relief for the team.

For Paco Olmos, “that victory against Soles should encourage us for the rest of the season. Now, in Liga Nacional, we must recover the terrain we lost in the last few weeks to try to finish the regular season as best as we can. We hope that this match is the turning point that many teams encounter in a season. I'm certain that we still have room to improve before the Semi-Finals of Liga de las Américas.”