Venezuela stars lead Guaros to Group D supremacy in Liga Sudamericana

QUITO (2015 DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana) - Several of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship winning heroes of Venezuela's national team are still flying high after terrific performances for Guaros de Lara this week.

Guaros, a leading club side in Venezuela, claimed a place in the Semi-Final Round of the 2015 DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana after clinching top spot in Group D in Ecuador.

Led by coach Nestor 'Che' Garcia - who coached the Venezuelans to the title at last month's FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City and qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics - Guaros beat Franca Basketball Clube (Brazil) 89-76 on Tuesday, Regatas Lima (Peru) 108-66 the following day and U.T.E. (Ecuador) 75-68 on Thursday to seal first first.

Franca also progressed after rebounding from their opening setback and beating U.T.E, 84-63, on Wednesday and Regatas Lima, 109-68, on Thursday.

Title-winning players from Venezuela's national side that donned the Guaros shirt this week included Heissler Guillent, Windi Graterol, Jose Vargas, David Cubillan and Nestor Colmenares.

Each shone in the Liga Sudamericana wins, including the defeat of Franca.

They followed that up with a rout of Regatas Lima and a close win over U.T.E.

Guillent, 28, is thrilled to be taking part in the club tournament.

He said: "The teams are at a very high-level in this Sudamericana, with national team players that I normally see in international tournaments.

"I am proud to play in this competition.

"It's a great opportunity to continue representing Venezuela, now from the club angle."

A 1.83m point guard, Guillent averaged 14.7 points in the three wins.

He had some unforgettable performances for Venezuela at the FIBA Americas Championship, including a 19-point effort in the 79-78 Semi-Final triumph over Canada that punched La Vinotinto's ticket to next year's Olympic Games.

Franca did well to advance.

They had to dig deep to beat U.T.E. on Day 2.

One of their standout players was Bruno Irigoyen, a star with Brazil's youth teams who could feature at senior level soon.

He had 15 points as Franca came from behind to overcome U.T.E.

U.T.E. lost star guard Jesus Centeno to injury on Day 2 but did themselves proud with a terrific performance on Thursday night against Guaros.

Benjamin Puckett had 17 points and eight rebounds but Guaros held on for a seven-point victory to wrap up first place.

San Martin de Corrientes, Mogi Das Cruzes, Malvin, Obras Sanitarias, Uniceub BRB and Quilmes de Mar del Plata had advanced to the Semi-Final Round with good performances in the first three weeks of the Liga Sudamericana.

The next phase of the competition will be staged 10-12 November and 17-19 November.

Go to www.fibaamericas.com for full coverage of the 2015 DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana.

FIBA