BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas League) - The first weekend of Semi-Final Round play at the FIBA Americas League in Argentina had a little bit of everything.

There were close games and upsets.

One team went unbeaten, and another failed to win a game.

Several players had terrific individual displays.

When it was over, Ecuador outfit Mavort had battled hard enough to garner the respect of everyone, yet they came up short of their aim which was to reach the Final Four.

Instead, Group D hosts Lanus and Brazilians Pinheiros, who beat Mavort in a do-or-die showdown on Sunday, progressed to the next stage.

Mavort (third) and Flamengo (fourth fell out of the title hunt.

Lanus punched their ticket to the Final Four by prevailing in their first two games against Mavort (86-76) and Pinheiros (87-72).

Nicolas Laprovittola and Co then put an exclamation mark on their performance over the weekend with an 83-69 victory over Flamengo on Sunday.

Mavort played their part in a dramatic Group D by hitting back from their defeat to Lanus on opening night with a 95-93 triumph over Flamengo.

De Angelo Riley had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Elys Manuel Guzman 20 points and nin0e boards for the Ecuadorian side.

Each had three-point plays at the end as Mavort overcame a four-point deficit to beat the Rio de Janeiro outfit.

With Lanus getting 17 points from Adrian Hector Boccia and Lanus drilling 10 of 23 shots from the arc, the Argentinians overcame Pinheiros on Day 2.

That set up the pivotal clash on Sunday between Mavort and Pinheiros.

Mavort started well with Riley leading the way, yet Pinheiros got their noses in front in the fourth quarter and appeared to be closing in on a comfortable win.

Trailing 66-59 lead just five minutes from the end, Mavort dug deep.

Riley and Raul Cardenas would end up hitting vital free-throws at the end to force overtime.

Six points from Shamell Stallworth in the extra period, including a basket with just three seconds left, gave Pinheiros an 82-80 victory.

Stallworth finished with 33 points.

Defending champions Pioneros de Quintana Roo of Mexico will host Group E action next weekend in Cancun.

The pool also has former champions Uniceub BRB, Sao Jose Dos Campos (both Brazil) and Capitanes de Arecibo (Puerto Rico).

FIBA