MIAMI (United States) – The Playoffs of Season 7 of the Basketball Champions League Americas tip off this Friday with the start of the Quarter-Finals. It will be played in a best-of-three format under a 1–2 structure (Game 1 at the lower seed’s home court, and Games 2 and 3, if necessary, at the higher seed’s venue). The winners will advance to the Final Four in April, where the Semi-Final winners will compete for the championship, while the losing teams will play in the Third-Place Game. See the full schedule:
Below is a breakdown of each series:
Astros de Jalisco (MEX) vs. Flamengo (BRA)
Astros (6–0) were the most dominant team in the previous stage. They finished atop Group A undefeated and set unprecedented offensive records in the competition. Thanks to the depth of their roster, they enter this matchup as favorites against the defending champions, Flamengo (2–4), who finished second in Group B without displaying consistent play. The Rio de Janeiro squad did not have Final Four MVP Alexey Borges (knee injury) available throughout the campaign.
Head-to-head
First meeting
New additions
Astros: Joseph Ávila, Alahjan Banks, Yoanki Mensia, Chikoko Vitalis Flamengo: Bautista Lugarini
Key facts
Astros remain undefeated in BCLA and have scored more than 100 points in five of their six games in the competition. They have also allowed more than 72 points only once
Flamengo have lost their last three games, their worst streak in BCLA. They are two wins away from becoming the first team to reach 50 victories in the competition
Shaquille Johnson (Flamengo) is 21 points away from reaching 600 and becoming the sixth player to hit that mark in league history
Alexey Borges (Flamengo) is 19 assists away from reaching 200 and becoming the third player to achieve that mark in BCLA history
Paul Stoll (AST) needs 1 assist to reach 100
Nacional (URU) vs. Paisas Basketball Club (COL)
Nacional (6–0) enters this matchup as the favorite after an undefeated run in Group B, displaying balanced play on both ends of the floor. Paisas (3–3) had an up-and-down performance in Group A and will look to pull off an upset with their new reinforcements.
Head-to-head
First meeting
New additions
Nacional: Erik Thomas, Nicolás Martínez Paisas: Romario Roque, Kevin Mickle, Josh Reaves
Key facts
Nacional will aim to become the third Uruguayan team to advance to a BCLA Final Four (Biguá and Hebraica Macabi). They currently hold a six-game winning streak
Paisas are seeking to become the first Colombian team to win a playoff game in BCLA history
Boca Juniors (ARG) vs. Instituto (ARG)
Boca, the reigning Argentine champion and BCL Americas runner-up, recently held the upper hand over Instituto, dominating them in both the domestic league and cup competitions. For that reason, they enter this matchup as favorites. The Xeneizes led Group C with a 4–2 record, while the Córdoba side finished second in Group D with the same mark.
Head-to-head
1–0 Boca Juniors (BCLA Season 6 Semifinals)
New additions
Instituto: Leonel Schattmann Boca Juniors: Boca Juniors: Quade Green, Jaron Martin
Key facts
Santiago Scala (Boca Juniors) is 8 points away from reaching 500 and becoming the 12th player to hit that mark in BCLA history. He is also 14 assists away from 200, which would make him the third player to reach that figure. His next game will also mark his 50th appearance
Martín Cuello (Boca Juniors) is 9 points away from surpassing José Vildoza (521) and entering the Top 10 all-time scorers in the event. With two more games played, he will reach 50 appearances
SESI Franca (BRA) vs. Minas Tenis Clube (BRA)
These two teams faced off in the most recent Brazilian NBB Finals, with Franca lifting the trophy. That gives them a slight edge, but the reality is that a very even matchup is expected. This season in their domestic league, they split their meetings with both teams recording wins by large margins. In BCL Americas, Franca finished atop Group D with a 4–2 record, while Minas were second in Group C with the same mark.
Head-to-head
First meeting
New additions
Minas: No additions Franca: No additions
Key facts
Franca only played twice against a Brazilian team in BCLA (1–1 vs. Flamengo)
Minas currently hold a 4–5 record against Brazilian teams
Lucas Dias (Franca) has totaled 291 rebounds in his BCLA career. He is tied with Ismael Romero as the all-time leading rebounder in the competition. With his next rebound, he will become the outright leader in event history. He is also 9 rebounds away from becoming the first player to reach 300. The power forward is also 35 points away from tying Brandon Robinson (786) as the second-leading scorer in BCLA history (Jezreel De Jesus, 844)
David Jackson (Franca) became the fourth player to reach 700+ points in BCLA (716). He is 19 rebounds away from reaching 200 and becoming the ninth player in tournament history with 200+ rebounds
Alexandre Paranhos (Minas) is 20 rebounds away from reaching 200
Helinho Rubens (Franca) is two games away from reaching 50 coached in BCLA, tying Gustavo Conti as the coach with the most games in competition history
FIBA