Liga Sudamericana: Brasília and Boca Juniors advance to the semis

[by Gustavo Cardoso] - Universo Brasilia and Boca Juniors advanced into the semifinal playoffs of Liga Sudamericana after tough match ups against Cocodrilos de Caracas and Libertad Sunchales, late last week. As predicted, the scenario of the semis will be a Argentina vs Brazil battle that should make the final leg of the continental tourney more interesting.

Brasilia went to Caracas with a 1-0 lead in the series against Cocodrilos, and on Thursday’s game Lula and his players knew that the home crowd would be a key factor to the locals. Not only that, but Victor Diaz as well. The veteran player scored 25 points and was the man of the game alongside his teammate Kevin Freeman who scored 23. Brasilia lost 96-92 with 20 points apiece from Valtinho and Artur, and all of a sudden was in a difficult position in the series had to win the last game in Caracas.

On Friday, things did not get any easier, and in another close game, Brasilia advanced. Led by Artur, with 24 points, and Maurice Spillers, 17, the Brazilians did not let the Venezuelans get away on the scoreboard. Despite being three to four points behind in the third, they were able to come back early in the fourth, and from then on what was seen was an exchange of leads in the scoreboard. Brasilia won 19-14 in the final 10 minutes winning the game by just two points (90-88).

Boca Juniors traveled to Sunchales on Friday with clear intentions of ending the series at the “Hogar de Los Tigres”. Libertad, without Ginobili, the brother, and Ceruti, both injured, saw the return of Laron Profit to the hardwood after one month out. The American started strong hitting 6 of his 8 points in the game during the first ten minutes. After a 23-12 first quarter, it was hard for Boca to fight back. Libertad won 82-72 and tied the series 1-1 on a 21 point performance by Benitez. Férnandez led the team from the Capital Federal with 15.

On Saturday the story was quite different, and the current continental champions lost 81 to 76. Ginobili, Ceruti, now had in Muller a new companion in the injury list. Giordana was the choice to start at the point. Despite playing sound basketball in the first quarter (28-19), and extending the lead in the beginning of the second to 21 points (40-19), the Tigres were not counting on an excellent performance by Argentina’s NT Leonardo Gutierrez. The forward was on fire from long distance and finished the game with 28 points, helping Boca seal their pass to the semis.

The semis will put two of the greatest clubs in South America face to face. CR Flamengo, from Rio de Janeiro, and Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires, will have two of the largest “torcidas” in the world backing them up. The Regatas and Brasilia series will gather the third placed teams in the standings of both the Argentinean and Brazilian National Leagues which should guarantee some more good basketball on the way.