BUENOS AIRES (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019) – San Lorenzo (Argentina) and Guaros de Lara (Venezuela) took hold of the last Final4 tickets of the DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019, after remaining undefeated in the second game day of the semi-finals phase that is taking place in Argentina’s Polideportivo Roberto Pando, in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

The Argentines and the Venezuelans showcased powerful demonstrations this Saturday and overpowered their respective rivals; establishing a 2-0 record in their group and advancing to the decisive stage where Paulistano (Brazil) and Capitanes (Mexico) already are awaiting.

Locals San Lorenzo had no inconveniences at all to knock off Capitanes de Arecibo (Puerto Rico) 95-62. The Boricuas started in the lead, 3-0, but then the Boedo team consolidated a 15-0 run and from there they never lost control. They dominated the first quarter, 28-12, and the following periods with 53-27 and 69-39 scores, and left no options for the final quarter.

Center Jerome Meyinsse led the attack with 23 points, while Dar Tucker and José Vildoza added 12 each. A total of six players ended with double digits in their scores.

“We didn't expect a distance like this. We went out with a lot of intensity and that was the key. We were able to place ourselves in the lead with that 15-point streak in the first quarter, and we kept it,” stated Marcos Mata, who ended with 11 points for the men led by Gonzalo García. “I believe that we rotated the ball better, we made better throws and we kept their defense under control,” he added.

Regarding the Final4 qualification, the small forward contributed: “It's an important step because we want to keep the title, we want our cherry on top”.

For Capitanes, Victor Rudd with 15 points and Andre Emmet with 10, were the best in the offense.

“We knew that this group would be difficult. We weren't intense from the beginning and we weren't able to impose our rhythm. I think that as a team we never found our chemistry, I think that we were affected by the fact that new players were added and we didn’t adapt well,” analyzed Arecibo’s shooting guard, Rafael “Chamo” Pérez.

Meanwhile, Guaros set the tone from start to finish and dominated CD Lás Ánimas, 89-64, to get their second victory in the group. Small forward Aaron Harper went in as a substitution and scored 18 points, while Heissler Guillent, José Vargas and Luis Bethelmy added 14 each.

The Venezuelan squad clearly established their authority and dominated the first three quarters, with 29-18, 50-36 and 74-51. Their great effectiveness from the long distance (15/29 in three-point shots) was determining to distancing themselves from their rivals.

The depth of coach Fernando Duró's team was also evidenced with the 44 points that were added from the bench.

“Thank God we achieved another triumph and we took an important step forward. We did the adjustments to control (Brandon) Robinson and (Arnold) Louis. What happened in yesterday's game (on Friday, against Arecibo) was important to gain confidence, because we haven't had many games. We have a deep team and in the third and fourth quarter we closed well, something that we hadn't been doing,” said power forward Néstor Colmenares after the game in which he produced nine points.

As for the Chilean squad, Johnathan Moore scored 19 points, Brazilian player Dida Pereira contributed 13, and Robinson added 12.

“Guaros had a significantly higher level. We knew we needed to play almost perfectly. They have a lot of depth, it's very difficult. We wanted to do something important in this stage, but we faced ourselves with South America’s current reality. However, we're very proud of what we've done,” said Las Ánimas’ small forward Sebastián Suárez.

This Sunday, the last game day of the semi-finals takes place: the first game of the day will face Capitanes and Las Ánimas, and then qualified teams San Lorenzo and Guaros will clash to define the group's first place.

FIBA