BUENOS AIRES (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2018) — The first two qualified teams for the Final4 of the eleventh edition of Liga de las Américas are here: Mogi das Cruzes and San Lorenzo.

The Brazilian team had no problems defeating Fuerza Regia and securing their ticket for the tournament’s defining stage, and without depending on other results. Meanwhile, San Lorenzo had a very fought encounter against Ferro, but were able to break them in the last streak to find their desired objective.

Mogi overpowered Fuerza Regia 75-69 in a game where they were controlling since the start and were able to establish a 15-point maximum advantage. The São Paulo squad achieved the difference near the baskets, since they won the rebound fight 48-29 and also did the most points from the paint (30-22). With supremacy and experience, the Paulistas earned their well-deserved prize.

For Guerrinha’s squad, Caio Torres had a brilliant performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Shamell Stallworth also contributed 20 points. The team coached by Paco Olmos, who bade farewell from this phase with 3 losses, had in Jordan Glynn their best asset —who, with 23 points, was the game’s best scorer.

San Lorenzo defeated Ferro 73-65 in a very physical duel in which both defenses gave it their all and established the game conditions. The twice-champions from Argentina could break the closeness in the third quarter, where they arrived equally, and were able to sustain their advantage in front of their rivals.

Gonzalo García’s five had Gabriel Deck as the spearhead that led the way to the triumph, with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Also outstanding were Marcos Mata (14 points and 8 rebounds), José Vildoza (10 points) and Nicolás Aguirre (8 points and 8 assists). As for the Ariel Rearte side, Franco Balbi was once again the protagonist, with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists; while Kevin Hernández had his best performance in the tournament, with 18 points and 6 rebounds.

San Lorenzo and Mogi now await to meet their rivals in the Final4. The two teams that will complete the four that will define the tournament will come of Group F, which will be defined starting this Friday, March 9 in Corrientes Argentina, featuring Regatas, Estudiantes de Concordia (both from Argentina), twice-champions Guaros (Venezuela) and Bauru (Brazil).

FIBA