Review: Soles qualified on the shoulders of its stars

MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017) - Soles de Mexicali began the First Phase of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 playing as host at the Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Mexico.

Soles received the visit of La Unión de Formosa (Argentina), Aguada (Uruguay) and Correcaminos de Colón (Panama), qualifying to the Semi-Final Phase of the continental competition with a 2-1 record.

Soles opened the group with a dominant win over Correcaminos by a score of 100-77 in which Nigerian Chamberlain Oguchi put on a show from long range, scoring 6 triples (and 32 points) in the win.

The team had it tough in the second night, being defeated by Aguada of Montevideo by the score of 115-108 in a dramatic game that went to overtime. Aguada's Jeremis Smith came close to tying the all-time record for points scored in a game, with 41 points (along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists) in the Uruguayan club's win.

In the final day, the Argentinean club lost a close one against the host Soles of Mexicali, that came out aggressive in both sides of the court. Just as he did throughout Group A, Justin Keenan was dominant for the Mexican club with a huge offensive night in which he contributed 30 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Soles entered the third day needing to beat La Unión by more than three points, looking for a tie-break between three teams that included Aguada. And they did, winning the last game of the group by the score of 80-71.

Justin Keenan averaged 25.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and currently leads the continental competition in scoring.

Now in a new phase of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas, Soles de Mexicali will need similar performances from its stars to keep alive their aspirations of qualifying to the Final4.

Soles de Mexicali will be part of the first Semifinal group in Monterrey, Mexico, along with Fuerza Regia (Mexico), Unión de Formosa (Argentina) and Guaros de Lara (Venezuela).

After three days of competition, the best two teams of the group will get tickets to the Final4 of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas.

The DIRECTV Liga de las Americas is broadcast through DIRECTV (América), Punto2 (Puerto Rico) and through the web at livebasketball.tv (subscription required).

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

FIBA