BUENOS AIRES (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019) – San Lorenzo (Argentina) and Guaros de Lara (Venezuela) took a step forward by triumphing during the second game day of the second DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019 semi-finals, which are being disputed at Argentina’s Polideportivo Roberto Pando, in the city of Buenos Aires.

The hosts had a quavering beginning and after being behind 15-6 in the first five minutes of the game, they made the adjustments they needed, used their depth and took absolute control to impose their overwhelming presence, 89-52 against CD Las Ánimas (Chile).

The first quarter was dominated by Las Ánimas, 27-24, with a great offensive performance by Brandon Robinson, but the Boedo side found their usual rhythm in the second quarter, and with a 24-5 quarter, they went into the half time with the marker at 48-32 in their favor. From that point on they continued to widen their difference (67-46 by the end of the third quarter). The game was definitively sentenced when Donald Sims achieved a three-pointer when there were 7:41 left in the last quarter, widening the distance to 72-46.

Sims, coming in from the bench, was San Lorenzo’s greatest scorer, with 13 points and three three-point shots. Jerome Meyinsse and Nicolás “Penka” Aguirre followed with 11 points each, and Dar Tucker, Mathias Calfani and Marcos Mata all added 10.

“They had a piercing start. We knew their three reinforcements would throw us off balance, but we improved the defense, we took confidence ahead and we were able to establish a good advantage,” stated shooting guard Máximo Fjellerup, who contributed seven points.

As for the Chilean squad, Robinson concluded with 19 points, Johnathan Moore with 16, and Arnold Louis with 14.

“We tried to play good basketball, and we did so in the beginning, but we then lacked team work. Then they did a lot of damage with the fast-breaks. San Lorenzo is the best team in South America and they knew how to control the rhythm. Tomorrow (Saturday) we must try to do better,” analyzed point guard Franco Morales, of Las Ánimas.

As for the encounter that opened the quadrangular, Guaros were able to contain Capitanes de Arecibo’s (Puerto Rico) reactions and dominated 90-88.

The Venezuelans, who played a solid collective game and were able to constantly score with transition offenses, established the distance in the second half of the game after they came back from half time, 42-38 in the lead. The greatest lead was of 18 points (81-63) when there were 5:37 minutes left in the last quarter, but Capitanes, with an effective defensive pressure, reduced the distance and shortened to a two-point distance (89-87), with a two-pointer and a free throw by small forward Victor Rudd, as there were 9.7 seconds left on the clock.

In the following possession, a free throw by Heissler Guillent, with 7.6 seconds left, set things 90-87 and put a hold to what could have been an enormous comeback by the Boricuas. Capitanes had a final attack, but Guaros did not want to risk it, and with 3.8 seconds left they avoided a throw by the opposite team and sent point guard Denis Clemente to the line, from where he scored only one point, but set the definitive numbers to the final score.

“We didn't close the game well, we took bad decisions and they came close. However I choose to take with me the good team effort. Everyone contributed, especially in the defense, and we're happy with the win,” commented Guillent. “We have (things) to correct, but a victory is a victory. Our rhythm in the attack came from the defense. We recovered several balls, we ran, and that's were things started happening for us,” added the point guard.

Néstor Colmenares with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Justin Williams with another 15 and 11 rebounds, led the balanced attack by Guaros, who had five men that scored more than 10 points.

The side from Lara achieved 26 points in the counterattack while their rivals made 13 and added another 13 in second chances after capturing 15 offensive rebounds.

For Capitanes, Andre Emmett was outstanding with 29 points and eight rebounds, and Victor Rudd scored 17.

“We tried to play together, but there are several new members in the team, and it wasn’t as easy. The key in these tournaments is to maintain the intensity the whole time and we had some ups and downs that they knew how to use to their advantage,” said Clemente.

This Saturday the action will continue in the second semi-finals, with the encounters between Las Ánimas and Guaros. Later in the evening, Capitanes and San Lorenzo will play against each other. The two best teams from the group will go on to the Final4.

FIBA