FRANCA (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018) - Franca, one of the most traditional teams in Brazil with 11 league titles and six titles of South America, will be the host of Group A of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana, which starts next 2 of October.

The team from São Paulo aspires to relive the glories and give a convincing demonstration to their fans at the Pedrocao gym, when they receive Leones de Quilpué (Chile), Aguada (Uruguay) and Instituto de Córdoba (Argentina), next week.

Lucas Dias, Rafael Hettsheimeir, Lucas Cipolini and Jimmy de Oliveira, among others, are some of the figures that make up the teams.

The team coached by Helinho Rubens Garcia, will enter the competition with good rhythm because they just advanced to the semifinals of the Paulista Championship, after defeating San José dos Campos, 93-57, in the quarterfinal match.

In semis, this Thursday at home, they dominated Baurú by 107-83, in the first match of the best of three series. The second match will be this Saturday 29 and if necessary the third and defining game, would take place after Group A.

Franca has clear short-term objectives both in the local tournament, in the international event that starts next Tuesday.

"The players are acting collectively, we have had a big growth in the last three days and that shows us that we are on the right track," coach Helinho.

Even, the strategist added after the triumph in the semifinals against Bauru: "I think I can say that it was our best game in the whole season.” So, it is expected that this team can assert its excellent moment in the Liga Sudamericana and stay with one of the two tickets to the Second Phase.

FIBA