IBARRA (Ecuador) – Despite losing its last Group A game against Deportivo San Jose 78-75, Piratas de los Lagos earned the only available ticket to the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2019 Semi-Final phase with a 2-1 record.

The teams showed their parity during the first minutes of the game. Then appeared the three-points shots from Bruno Zanotti, Scott Rodgers, Andrew Feeley, and Juan Pablo Cantero, who chimed in and helped their team win the first quarter 29-21.

In the second quarter, the host showed intensity on their defensive side of the court and managed to take the lead. Deportivo San Jose made adjustments and went into half-time with a 44-43 advantage.

The second half started with consecutive three-pointers for the Piratas, but five straight points from Rodgers tied the game again. San Jose showed tough defense and won the quarter 64-60.

During the last quarter, the scoreboard showed the parity between the teams. San Jose couldn’t get to the difference it needed to secure the qualification to the next stage. The home team suffered the loss but earned a trip to the Semi-Final Phase.

On the other game of the day, Pichincha waved goodbye to the 2019 edition of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana with an 87-63 win over Bucaros.

CONSUBASQUET