CALI (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018) - Quimsa (Argentina) and Minas Tenis Clube (Brazil) won their commitments on the opening day of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 Group C, which takes place at the Coliseo Evangelista Mora in Cali, Colombia.

 
The Argentine team needed overtime to defeat Baurú (Brazil) 86-80. Leonardo Mainoldi with 17 points and five three-pointers commanded the Quimsa offense. The power forward was decisive in the extension with five consecutive points (one three-pointer and two free throws), which gave his team the key advantage of 80-75, with 2:49 minutes left.

 
Juan Brussino also stood out with 16 points coming off the bench, while Nicolás De Los Santos (14 points and 11 assists) and Torin Francis (12 and 12 rebounds), contributed double-doubles.

For Baurú, the center Lucas deployed all his game with 31 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

In the second match of the day, the host Fastbreak faded against Minas Tenis Clube by 91-74.

 
The team from Brazil took control of the game early and dominated the first half 50-30, with a solid defense that barely allowed the home team to throw for 30% in field goals (of 37-11) in that stretch.

The damage in those first 20 minutes could have been worse, but Fastbraek took 13 offensive rebounds to get 14 points in second chances.

In the third quarter, Minas managed to retain the advantage (69-51) and coach Flavio Aurelio Soares had the opportunity to rotate his players. In the last quarter, the home team closed the gap to 80-72 with 4:44 in the clock, but with the re-entry of their main pieces, the visiting team again distanced itself on the scoreboard.

Wesley Ferrerira shone with 19 points. Dominique Coleman added 17 and guard Gege grazed the triple-double with 10 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

For the team from Cali, the Puerto Rican Jezreel De Jesus led the offensive with 33 points.

On Wednesday, Group C will feature a Brazilian duel between Minas and Bauru. Quimsa and Fastbreak will then close the competition day.

FIBA