10 reasons to follow the first Semi-Final Group in Monterrey

MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017) - The day is finally here! The Semi-Final Phase of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas will tip-off tonight at Estadio Nuevo Leon Unido in Monterrey, Mexico with the participation of La Unión de Formosa (Argentina), Soles de Mexicali (Mexico), the defending Champion of the Americas Guaros de Lara (Venezuela) and host Fuerza Regia.

On paper, the group promises to be of high level with Fuerza Regia as the favorite and the remaining three teams fighting to obtain the second ticket to the 2017 Final4 of the continental competition.

Here are the 10 reasons why you should follow the first Semi-Final Group in Monterrey:

10. LDA Veterans: All teams participating this weekend have experienced figures on the continental club competition. For La Union, Alexis Elsener and Alejandro Konsztadt were part of the Obras Basket team that reached the 2012 Final4. For Soles de Mexicali, Pery Meza was champion with Pioneros of Quintana Roo in 2012 and Justin Keenan led the 2015 edition in points per game (19.3) for the same club, that on that occasion came in at second place. Guaros de Lara maintains the nucleus of national team members, with Luis Bethelmy, Néstor Colmenares and Gregory Echenique who along with Zach Graham, obtained the title last year. And for the host Fuerza Regia, Héctor Hernández who also played in Pioneros during that 2012 championship run.

9. Offensive power: Three of the four participants this weekend are in the Top 5 scoring teams of the 2017 edition. Soles de Mexicali is the leader with 96 ppg, Fuerza Regia ranks third with 94 ppg and Guaros de Lara is fourth with 91 ppg.

8. Torin Francis: The reinforcement player for La Unión de Formosa is a double-double machine. In his three games during Group A he averaged 17 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.

7. Elite Mexicans: Both Fuerza Regia and Soles de Mexicali are currently in the semifinals of the Professional Basketball League of Mexico.

6. José "Grillo" Vargas Vs. his Venezuelan team: In a peculiar situation, the captain of the Venezuelan National Team, who plays for La Unión de Formosa in Argentina will face his team of the Professional Basketball League of Venezuelan, Guara de Lara.

5. Rivera-Hernandez-Panko Trio: All three players combined to average 51.7 points per game in a dominant performance for Fuerza Regia in the Group Stage.

4. La Union, literally: The Argentine club had a varied offensive contribution from its squad in the Group Stage. Five players averaged in double figures.

3. Battle of the Giants: The big men of the four teams participating in this semi-final group are determining figures in each team’s aspirations to the Final4. The battles between Justin Keenan (Soles), Torin Francis (La Union), Gregory Echenique (Guaros) and Jeleel Akindele (Fuerza Regia) will be key in the outcome of the matches to be held this weekend in Monterrey.

2. Justin Keenan: The Reinforcement player for Soles is the scoring leader of the Group Phase with 25.7 points per game. He is also the most efficient player in the competition.

1. Defending champion: Guaros de Lara is not the favorite on paper and will have to leave everything on the court to get one of the tickets to the Final4, but it would be a mistake to underestimate the current champion of the competition. In the Group Stage, the team suffered from lack of competition pace and lost to Fuerza Regia on the final day of Group B. However, the circumstances are very different in a Semi-Final Phase in which the team brings a more complete preparation. Defeating the champion will be necessary to qualify to the Final4 of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017.

The calendar of the Semi-Final Group can be seen in the following link.

The DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 will be played in three phases: Group Stage, Semi-Final Phase and Final4. In the Group Phase the teams have been divided into four (4) groups of four (4) teams each that will play in round-robin format for three (3) days. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the Semi-Final Phase.

In the Semi-Final Phase, teams will be divided into two (2) groups of four (4) teams each and will play in round-robin format for three (3) days. The best two (2) teams from each Semi-Final group will advance to the Final4, where the Champion of the Americas will be determined.

The Liga de las Americas will be broadcast through DIRECTV (America), Sky Sports (Mexico), Punto2 (Puerto Rico) and through the web at livebasketball.tv (subscription required).

For the best coverage of the Liga de las Americas 2017, visit ligamericas.com and our @ligamericas social networks.

FIBA