Soles de Mexicali and La Union advance to Semifinal Phase out of Group A

MEXICALI (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas) - Soles de Mexicali and La Unión de Formosa qualified for the Semifinal Phase after an intense first weekend of competition in the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 in which Aguada de Montevideo and Correcaminos de Colón were eliminated.

The start of the group proved to be of great magnitude in a game between La Unión de Formosa and Aguada that defined the destinies of both clubs in the competition. La Union’s long-range effective shooting and power in the paint, led by Torin Francis's 21-point, 13-point performance, were key in the Argentine club's 87-76 victory.

La Union defeated the Panamanian team Correcaminos de Colón by the score of 84-77 in the second day of competition, with a great performance from Venezuelan Jose Vargas, with 18 points and 5 rebounds in the 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.

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.

Aguada showed great quality throughout the group and paid dearly for having lost its first game against La Unión.

Soles de Mexicali and La Union de Formosa qualified out of Group A, and will now wait for the best two teams of Group B, C and D in the Semifinal Phase.

Group B will be played starting next Friday in Monterrey, Mexico with clubs Leones de Quilpué from Chile, Caballos de Coclé from Panamá, defending champion Guaros de Lara from Venezuela and host Fuerza Regia.

The calendar of the Group can be found here.

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

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

FIBA