VALDIVIA - San Lorenzo de Almagro (Argentina), reigning DIRECTV Liga de las Americas champions, met all expectations and were the undefeated leaders of Group C after crushing CD Las Ánimas (Chile), 93-70, in the bracket's last day at the Antonio Azurmendi Coliseum in Valdivia.

Both teams had already achieved the qualification to the Semi-Finals yesterday, so the task was already done. This was particularly true for the Chileans, who elbowed out, against all ods, Argentine team San Martín de Corrientes and then, after two overtimes, current tournament runners-up, Mogi das Cruzes (Brazil).

Despite the significant difference, the locals left again a good impression. The first half was pretty equalled and powerhouse San Lorenzo, with their deep roster, went to the halftime with the advantage, at 41-35. It was in the four final minutes in the third act, when the Boedo men were able to break the drought thanks to Point Guard Nicolás “Penka” Aguirre and his good instincts to pass the ball and make the shots.

Aguirre ended with 15 points (13 in the second half) and seven assists. Meanwhile, Dar Tucker also added 15 more. For the locals, Brandon Robinson was once again the leader of the attack, with 23 units.

“Neither of us had pressure, but the game was closer than what the scoreboard says, we found our game in the defense, that’s how we rolled. The most important thing was that we kept our intensity. The coach was able to rotate more; we know that in the bench we have great players that do the job at a great level and if we're able to keep developing that, we’ll be more dangerous,” commented Center Matías Calfani after the game ended.

With regards as to what's to come in the next match, the Uruguayan pointed out that “we're a team that trusts what it does. To win we have to defend. We know we're the rival that everyone wants to beat, but we're prepared. We keep the desire and the drive to be twice champions.”

Although San Lorenzo was clear that they’ll defend their title with everything they've got, this weekend’s great story was written by Las Ánimas, after they became the first Chilean team to qualify to a DIRECTV Liga de las Américas Semi-Finals.

“This was a great experience, we've made history. Now we want to compete in the next phase. Today (Sunday) we were a bit tired after coming in from two overtimes, they were physically stronger; but we’ll have our chance to recover,” said Manny Suárez, Center for the Chilean quintet.

The player, who also has a US nationality, emphasized on the ability the team had to integrate.

“I'm one of the reinforcements. I only had three days to prepare with the team, just like Franco Morales, Sebastián Suárez and JJ Moore. It's a great experience to face these great teams, because they did have some time together. That gives us confidence for the next stage. We’ll keep trying to do things well,” he concluded.

San Martín played honorably

Eliminated teams San Martín and Mogi played in the day’s first encounter. The Argentines dominated, 80-70, featuring an inspired Matías Solanas who contributed 22 points (3/3 in 3 PTs), 11 rebounds and six assists. Martín Cabrera followed suit with 15 units. As for Mogi, Arthur Pecos added 13 points, and Luis Gruber and Guilherme Lessa did 12 each.

FIBA