SAN JUAN (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018) - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the Americas confirmed the groups and dates of the 2018 edition of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana, where 16 teams will compete for the Horacio Muratore Cup.

The competition will begin on October 2 at Franca, Brazil and will crown a champion the second week of December. The groups and dates have been configured as follows:

Group A – October 2-4 – Host: Franca, BRA
Franca (Brazil)
Instituto (Argentina)
Leones de Quilpué (Chile)
Aguada (Uruguay)

Group B – October 9-11 – Host: Macas, ECU
Icann de Macas (Ecuador)
Olimpia (Paraguay)
Team to be Confirmed
Campeón da LIGA de Bolivia (Bolivia)

Group C – October 16-18 – Host: Cali, COL
Fast Break del Valle (Colombia)
Quimsa (Argentina)
Bauru (Brazil)
Minas Tenis (Brazil)

Group D – October 22-24 – Host: Montevideo, URU
Goes (Uruguay)
Libertad de Sunchales (Argentina)
C.R.Flamengo (Brazil)
Welcome (Uruguay)

For the Group Phase the teams were divided into four (4) groups that will play in round robin format for three (3) days.

The first two (2) teams from Groups A, C and D, together with the best team that finishes in the third place of these three groups, will qualify to the Semi-Final Phase. Group B, that features the Champions of Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru, will qualify the top team to the Semi-Final Phase.

In the Semi-Final Phase, the eight (8) teams will be divided into two (2) groups of four (4) teams each, which will play in round robin format for three (3) days. The best team from each group will advance to the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana Final.

The Final will be played in a best of three (3) games series where the champion of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 will be crowned.

"We are very happy to be able to announce the 2018 edition of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana, which features internationally renowned clubs and important players. Their presence guarantees us a spectacle that will continue to position the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana as an obligatory commitment for basketball lovers,” said Gerasime Bozikis, President of the South American Basketball Confederation (CONSUBASQUET).

"It will be a great festivity for everyone involved. We have no doubt that all the team will give their best to lift the Horacio Muratore Cup.”

The DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 champion will qualify to the DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019.

FIBA