FIBA Americas league - Teams gets stronger ahead of Final Four

MONTEVIDEO (FIBA Americas league) - Uruguayan heavyweights Bigua have moved to strengthen their line-up ahead of the FIBA Americas League Final Four by signing Mark Bortz.

The 6ft 10in center had been playing in Argentina's Liga Nacional with Boca Juniors, averaging 9.3 points and seven rebounds per game.

He joins Argentina's 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Ruben Wolkowisky and Kevin Young as Bigua's three foreign players.

Bigua stormed into the Final Four after finishing top of a group that included last year's winners Penarol Mar del Plata, Regatas Corrientes and Deportes Castro of Chile.

Minas Tenis Clube of Brazil, meanwhile, are also bolstering their squad.

They have signed veteran Ricardo Probst.

"Ricardo arrived one week ago and we are working to adapt him to the team," said coach Flavio Davis.

"In every game his production will be better."

Minas make their debut in Brazil's top flight on January 28 against Paulistano/Amil (SP) and two days later face Pinheiros (SP).

They will be among the title contenders in Brazil.

"The balance of the tournament points at us as the favorites," Davis said.

"A lot of teams invested a lot like Franca, Limeira, Flamengo, among others.

"Time will show the strength of every team. We have to take it one step at a time."

Batista now in Argentina

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv big man Esteban Batista, meanwhile, has returned to South America to play for Libertad Sunchales for the remainder of the campaign.

Batista, a Uruguay international, spent time in the NBA but went to Europe in search of playing time last season but recently parted ways with Israel giants Maccabi and now wants to be in good shape for his country ahead of their FIBA Americas Championship campaign.

He should be a big help to a Libertad side that has been reeling from the loss of star player Andres Pelussi.

"For him to continue his game rhythm in Argentina is a huge benefit for us because we lost our franchise player due to injury," Libertad coach Julio Lamas said.

"Libertad losing Pelussi means the same for Atenas without Leo Gutierrez or Penarol without Roman Gonzalez. Now with Batista we have the two dominating imports we needed."

FIBA