SAN JUAN (William Rosario's Somewhere in the Americas) - Hey! I'm back! And to anyone who's not been paying attention, mark your calendars. The Final4 of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 is here and the excitement in Barquisimeto, Venezuela is at an all-time high for a wide-open weekend in the continental club competition finale.

It is appropriate to end on such a high note after what has been the best season in the young history of a league that's now become a mainstay in the sports calendar of the Americas, especially in Central, South America and the Caribbean. There's a bit of everything in play in this Final4, with veteran stars of the international stage and promising prospects that have taken the league by storm in this 2017 edition.

To have such a traditional Puerto Rican powerhouse like the Leones de Ponce in their first ever Final4 is a treat. The team made it a goal to win the international title and had the biggest splash in pre-season by signing Puerto Rican legend Carlos Arroyo in a move that has more than paid-off. He has been spectacular in the first two phases by averaging 16.8 points and a league-leading 8.8 assists per game and joined by high-flying Hakim Warrick have become a dynamic duo for Leones. Add to that mix the scoring capabilities of Dominican Victor Liz and the Puerto Rican team has as big a chance to lift the trophy this weekend. Let's hope the big social media following, media coverage and fan engagement Leones has gotten from their 2017 participation motivates more teams from the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (now playing from April-August, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) to take their show on the road and have their brand of basketball be known internationally.

They will face Guaros de Lara in the Final4. The defending champs are looking to repeat with the same nucleus of national players in their roster. Nestor Colmenares, Gregory Echenique, Luis Bethelmy and Heissler Guillent (who could not play last year with an Achilles injury) are back to double down on what was a historic countrywide celebration in last year’s title. North American Zach Graham is also back and although showman coach Nestor “Che” Garcia will be sorely missed; the team has all the tools to win it all again in this 2017 edition. Sure, some point to what has been a rough start in the Venezuelan Professional Basketball League but I would not take that as serious evidence, given the fact that it is normal for a team to lose focus on their national play when such a big international prize is in their sights. Guaros playing at home, with the wonderful atmosphere the Domo de Lara is able to produce, are the team to beat.

Fuerza Regia has been the best team in the Liga de las Americas 2017 up to date. The Mexican team is not only undefeated but has shown a discipline that makes them unique at this level. Their defensive intensity and ability to control the pace of the game is unmatched by the remaining teams and their starting five presents problems on both sides of the court. The brain power of Carlos Rivera and Andy Panko is their greatest virtue along with the explosiveness of Daniel Toscano and the shooting efficiency of Hector Hernandez. It is true that they arrive in Barquisimeto under a lot of duress due to the fact they are currently playing the finals of their national league, but I would not rule them out. They are too good and well-coached to not be picked by many as their favorite to win the continental championship.

And then there's Weber Bahia, by far the best story out of the four participating Final4 teams. Picture this, golden generation member Juan "Pepe" Sanchez becomes the mastermind behind the team in the 2010-2011 season. His goal was for it to be a kind of college basketball concept whereby the team could develop local talent, young prospects, giving them a national league platform. Then, he brings Sebastian Ginobili, another Golden Generation member in Alejandro Montecchia and veteran Hernan Jasen to support and guide the young prospects in their development. Six years later, the team makes it to biggest continental stage possible with those kids as stars of the competition. It has been a joy to watch 23-year-old Lucio Redivo’s sharp shooting performances, 19-year-old Maximo Fjellerup's athletic displays and 20-year-old Juan Pablo Vaulet’s high rate of consistency. This team was never supposed to be here, but then again they overcame a 21-point deficit to qualify, so, who dares rule them out?

All of them have a real shot to win it, but the biggest winner this weekend is the Liga de las Americas. It is now the second year in a row where the competition has not been able to have the full possible participating countries with Mexico being unable to participate in 2016 and now Brazil (we missed you Flamengo, Bauru and Mogi!) also unable to compete in 2017. And still the league has kept growing. How good is it going to be next year with the full lineup? That is the biggest takeaway from this year's edition and looking forward to this Final4. In its 10th season, I’ve seen the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas become a real product, with impact everywhere it is played and a high ceiling for it to grow even more. All that’s left is for the fans to enjoy the show that will be put forward by four teams that have a shot at history. It'll be exciting, a must-watch indeed.

William Rosario

FIBA

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