LIGA SUDAMERICANA - Uniceub down Aguada to win title again

MONTEVIDEO (Liga Sudamericana) - Uniceub BRB captured the Liga Sudamericana title for the second time in the club's history on Friday night with a 93-81 triumph over Final Four hosts Aguada.

In the red-hot atmosphere of the Penarol Palace where the bleachers were full of Aguada fans wearing the club colors green and red, Uniceub prevailed to prevent a Uruguay club from winning the crown for the first time.

Uniceub, who failed to capture a trophy last season, also won the Liga Sudamericana in 2010.

At least one Uruguayan was extremely happy after the final buzzer.

Martin Osimani, a veteran in the country's national team, plays for Uniceub (Brasilia) and had a 20-point, 13-assist performance to help fire the visitors to victory.

Uniceub's Brazil international Guilherme Giovannoni was named as the Most Valuable Player of the Liga Sudamericana.

He had 21 points and 10 boards.

In Wednesday's Semi-Final triumph over Boca Juniors, Guilherme had poured in 17 points and corralled 10 rebounds.

Former Argentina national team coach Sergio Hernandez, who was put in charge of Uniceub during the summer, went on Twitter to express his joy.

Among his tweets were "Enormous happiness to win the South American title" and "Thank you Uniceub for having trust in me".

After thanking his players and coaching staff, Hernandez also paid tribute to the Final Four hosts, tweeting: "And finally (thanks to) the Uruguayans and the people of Aguada, the passion they have for the sport I have love and respect for the opponents!"

Uniceub, who nearly blew a huge lead in the first encounter between the sides earlier this month in the previous phase of the competition, led by 15 at half-time on Friday night only for Aguada to come back.

Led by Uruguay international Leandro Garcia-Morales and his game-high 29 points, Aguada closed to within 75-72 nearly two minutes into the last quarter.

Guilherme replied with two free-throws and the teams went nearly two minutes without scoring before a basket from Uniceub's Arthur Luiz Belchor.

Aguada kept the pressure on and reduced the deficit to 79-75 on a shot by guard Federico Bavosi, but Guilherme stretched the lead to seven with a three-ball midway through the quarter.

The Uruguayan club got no closer.

Both teams are going to be very busy in the coming weeks and months.

Each will not only have domestic commitments but also some on the continent as participants in the FIBA Americas League.

FIBA