Guilherme leads UniCEUB into Final

BRASILIA (Liga Sudamericana) - Guilherme Giovannoni is not going to be short of honors in basketball when he decides to call it a day as a player.

He has won titles in Brazil, and continental competitions in South America and Europe.

And Guilherme, 35, has also scaled the heights with Brazil, winning both FIBA Americas Championships and South American Championships.

Guilherme Giovannoni (BRA) at 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

The Sao Paolo-born forward is still making big plays and demonstrating to national team coach Ruben Magnano that he will have much to offer when Brazil compete as the host nation at the 2016 Olympics.

Guilherme has led UniCEUB BRB into the Grand Final of the 2015 DIRECTB Liga Sudamericana.

In the Semi-Final Round, the veteran had 13 points in a 72-68 win over Obras Sanitarias and then 19 points and eight rebounds in a 77-75 triumph over Malvin that clinched first place in Group E.

Guilherme's Brasilia side nearly suffered a painful defeat against Montevideo outfit Malvin after blowing a 17-point lead.

The Brazilian club made just enough plays down the stretch to get the vital win.

"The key was to be strong mentally," he said to FIBA Americas website.

"We knew there would be pressure, they are playing at home, and we knew this could happen.

"The team showed its experience and quality, we scored a basket when four seconds remained and then we played an incredible defense."

Guilherme signed off with 15 points and seven boards in a 73-69 victory over Quilmes de Mar del Plata to wrap up an unbeaten campaign in the pool.

UniCEUB BRB will now face the team that wins Group F, which is being hosted by Gauros de Lara in Venezuela and also includes Franca Basketball Clube, Mogi das Cruzes (both Brazil) and San Martin de Corrientes (Argentina).

FIBA