LIGA SUDAMERICANA - Uniceub, Peñarol, Argentino and Aguada target Final Four

MONTEVIDEO (Liga Sudamericana) - For several years, while he was the coach of Argentina's national team, Sergio Hernández also held the reins of Liga Nacional side Peñarol in Mar del Plata.

The play-caller enjoyed a lot of success with the club, too.

Hernández steered Peñarol to FIBA Americas League championship in 2008 and 2010, and three consecutive Argentina titles from 2010-12.

Now, he is coaching in Uniceub/BRB in neighboring Brazil and hoping to guide his new club to glory in the Liga Sudamericana.

As fate would have it, Hernández will coach against Peñarol on Tuesday night in the opening game of semi-final round Group F in Montevideo, Uruguay.

"It was not in my plans to face Peñarol so quickly but this is the job," he said.

"I'll deal with all the passion and respect and love that I'll always have for this (Peñarol) team."

Peñarol will have not have their most important player, with Argentina national team point guard Facundo Campazzo recovering from a sprained knee he suffered last month in a game against Lanus.

Campazzo got hurt shortly after a dazzling performance in a come-from-behind win against Importadora Alvarado that got the club into the semi-final round.

He had 24 points, nine assists and three steals in that 98-85 victory.

"I have to be patient, have a strong mind and work hard," Campazzo said of his recovery.

"That is what I need."

He should be back on the court in December.

Campazzo will be in the line-up next summer at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain with Argentina.

Peñarol also have Leo Gutierrez, a long-time Argentina national team star who played on the squad that captured gold at the 2004 Olympics.

He featured for the national team that finished fourth at the 2012 London Games.

The club warmed up for the game with a 74-50 rout of Argentino de Junin, another of the teams that will be in action in Group F.

Uniceub won the Liga Sudamericana in 2010.

Alex García, Guilherme and Nezinho were in that side and remain lynchpins in the squad.

"We are very motivated," Alex said.

"We know we have the conditions to qualify for the Final Four.

"We have to do our job, execute on offense and be very aggressive on defense to try and get the wins."

This week, meanwhile, is a homecoming for Uruguayan Martin Osimani, a member of the Uniceub backcourt.

Aguada are hosting the event and their president, Flavio Perchman, has high hopes.

"It is difficult to predict how far we will get in this tournament," he said.

"Qualifying for the Final Four would be a success in itself.

"There are other teams that appear to be more powerful than us, but we will fight with dignity and with the desire to become the best."

The coach of Aguada, Javier Espíndola, says it is time for the club to seize on a great chance.

"We are aiming to overcome this phase," he said.

"I know it's going to be very difficult, but it is a very good opportunity for Aguada and Uruguayan basketball."

Since the first edition of the Liga Sudamericana in 1996, only teams from Argentina and Brazil have won the competition.

Twelve times sides from Argentina have captured the title, and Brazilian clubs have won five.

On Tuesday, Uniceub take on Peñarol and Aguada square off against Argentino de Junin. Wednesday's games see Argentina face Uniceub and Aguada meet Peñarol while on Thursday, Peñarol go up against Argentino and Aguada play Uniceub.

FIBA