Liga Sudamericana: Easy job for Regatas in Argentina

[by Gustavo Machado Cardoso] - As with their Brazilian counterparts, Regatas Corrientes also did not find any major problems with their quarter final Game 2. Showing clear superiority, Regatas beat Deportivo Tachira by the score of 93-64, on Tuesday evening, and sealed its passport to the semis of the Liga Sudamericana. Chances are the Argentineans could now face Brasília, making the semis of LSB a true Brazilian Argentinean effort.

The game in Corrientes was a one team show, as expected. Deportivo Tachira, one of the worst teams in the Venezuelan league (LPB) at this point (2 wins and 5 losses), watched Corrientes dominate from the start, despite the absences of veteran guard Alejandro Montechhia, and talented forward Damian Tintorelli.

The first two quarters were dominated by the Argentineans who at the half had a 29 point lead (55-26). In the second half, the Venezuelans were able to avoid another smashing 20 minutes by the Argentineans and maintained the point differential around 30 points. At the end of the fourth Regatas led by as many as 39 points, but Lugo, Ramirez, and Devis made sure it stayed below the 30 point mark.

Silvio Santander, Regata’s coach, gave important minutes in the rotation to his youngsters. Sergio Zacarias, a 21 year old 197cm forward, and Nestor Serantes, added 5 and 9 points respectively, showing that their game was more than sufficient to face this type of battle in the Sudamericana. Both could be ready for some more minutes in the semis.

Regatas probably has the easier match-up when compared to the other side of the bracket, does not matter if it is Universo Brasilia or Cocodrilos de Caracas.

Brasília is a very different team from last year, when it had Alex Garcia (now at Maccabi Tel Aviv), and Nezinho (Assis) running their offense. The Brazilians currently sit in third position in the standings (10 wins and 4 losses), behind Flamengo, and Minas Tênis, and rely more on experience than in the traditional fast up and down the court Brazilian basketball.

As for the Venezuelans of Cocodrilos, they also sit in third position of LPB standings with 5 wins and 3 losses. 40 year old Victor Diaz, and 38 year old Henry Paez continue to be important factors for the team from Caracas, and that should not be different in case they advance to the semis to face Regatas.

Both teams will play tonight in Venezuela. Brasilia leads 1-0 and looks forward to make the series short, avoiding a game 3 in Venezuela.

Regatas Corrientes 93 (33-22-15-23)
Starters: Agustín Carabajal 9, Javier Martínez 12, Ramzee Stanton 14, Chuckie Robinson 19, and Roberto López 3; Off the bench: Juan M. Rivero 14, Diego Cavaco 6, Milton Temute 2, Néstor Serantes 5, and Sergio Zacarías 9.

Deportivo Táchira 64 (17-9-12-26):
Starters: Edgar Lugo 14, Alejandro Omaña 4, Derwing Ramírez 18, Esterling Guedez 8, and Quincy Devis 14; Off the bench: Franke Duque 2, and Daniel Gutiérrez 4