Guaros and Flamengo complete 2016 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas Final Four picture

BARQUISIMETO (2016 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - The Final Four line-up for the 2016 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas Final Four is complete after Guaros de Lara and Flamengo de Rio de Janeiro progressed from the Second Phase over the weekend to join Mogi das Cruzes and Bauru.

In a weekend already full of excitement, Guaros capped things off by making history and becoming the first team from Venezuela to get this far in the competition.

It all started with a dominating 108-77 performance over Correcaminos de Colon. Nestor Garcia's team then went into a clash against a well-known opponent that had beaten them in the First Phase of the competition, UniCEUB. The Liga Sudamericana champions got off to a better start and established a lead on the scoreboard early on. It was in the third quarter that the hosts started to close the gap, but with the added experience of Fulvio Chianta and Guilherme Giovannoni, UniCEUB remained calm and held on for an 80-77 win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Final Four.

Guaros had to leave that put that game behind them and get the best of Flamengo in order to make history. They got off to a great start as they led by 21 at half-time. However, as expected, Flamengo fought back and a 27-12 fourth quarter saw them get withing striking distance. Guaros made key baskets down the stretch to secure the win and the berth to the Final Four, thanks in part to the huge contributions of Tayshawn Taylor, who had 19 points and 6 assists.

Flamengo's bid to reach the Final Four began with a match-up against fellow Brazilians UniCEUB. The former led early on but UniCEUB fought back late in the first half to take a 39-37 advantage into the break. However, after an even third quarter, the team from Rio de Janeiro used a 38-23 final quarter to run away with a 106-93 win.

Then came what could have been the biggest shocker in the history of the competition as Correcaminos de Colon matched the Brazilian powerhouse for almost the full 40 minutes. It took Jason Robinson's game-winner to lift Flamengo to an 84-83 win.

Entering the last day of the Second Phase, every team still had a chance to reach the Final Four. But in the end, Guaros' defeat of Flamengo was the defining moment that sent the Venezuelan team and Flamengo to the Final Four.

With the Final Four teams known, the Semi-Finals match-ups were then revealed: Mogi das Cruzes will take on Guaros and Flamengo will go up against defending champions Bauru.

The Final Four of the 2016 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas will be played on 11-12 March in a city to be determined.

This is the ninth edition of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas. The competition has been won by Argentina's Penarol (2007 & 2009) and Regatas (2010), Brazil's Uniceub (2008), Pinheiros (2013), Flamengo (2014) and Bauru (2015), and Mexico’s Pioneros (2012).

The competition will be broadcast by DIRECTV throughout the Americas, SporTV in Brazil and online on livebasketball.tv (subscription required).

For the most complete coverage of the 2016 edition, visit ligamericas.com.

FIBA