20 January, 2017
18 March
5 Jordan Glynn (MEX), 17 Jeleel Akindele (MEX)
27/02/2017
Review
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Fuerza Regia and Guaros de Lara qualify to the Final 4 out of Semifinal Group #1

MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017) - The host of the first Semifinal Group, Fuerza Regia (Mexico), and the defending champion of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017, Guaros de Lara (Venezuela), advanced to the Final4.

Fuerza Regia continued in streak. The Mexican club scored three victories this weekend to improve their record in the 2017 edition to 6-0. Their first victory was against La Unión de Formosa in a great combined performance from six players scoring in double figures. Jaleel Akindele led the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Mexico won by a score of 93-72.

In the second match of the group, Fuerza Regia faced a known rival, Soles de Mexicali (Mexico). It was a harsh, low-scoring clash and in which the host had Juan Toscano at a very high level, getting a double-double in the second quarter. The forward finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, and their team dominated the rebounding duel (46-32) on the way to a 66-57 victory. The defense was key to the host's triumph, as they kept Justin Keenan, the scoring leader of the 2017 edition (with 25.7 points per game until that match) with only 7 points.

Fuerza Regia confirmed its leadership and status as a favorite of this DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 with a 77-70 victory over Guaros de Lara in a well-fought match that needed overtime to determine a winner. The host came out furiously, in a first quarter they dominated 21-11, however, Guaros responded with an effective game in transition from the hand of their substitute point guard, Puerto Rican Alex Abreu. Fuerza Regia had its worst quarter of the competition with only 4 points scored in the second quarter.

The party had several exchanges of advantage until the last minute of regulation in which a three-pointer from Cristian Cortés tied the score and forced the overtime. In overtime, the host relied on their long range effectiveness with four three-pointers, including a decisive one by Jordan Glynn, who sealed the victory. Fuerza Regia qualified to the Final4 in the first position and Guaros in the second position.

The Venezuelans opened their participation in the first semifinal of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2017 with an important and adjusted victory of 88-86 over Soles de Mexicali. The team were led by their centers, Keenan scored 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Guaros’ Gregory Echenique scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. The defending champion entered the last quarter with a 10-point lead, 75-65, but that was lost gradually in the closing moments. However, in the decisive minutes, Soles failed to find their offensive weapon in Keenan and Guaros took the victory with two free throws from their point guard Heissler Guillent.

The second victory for the Venezuelan team was more comfortable against a Union of Formosa who struggled to find rhythm along the Semifinal Group. The physical advantage of Guaros was too much for the Argentine team that lost the last quarter 25-17 and consequently the game by an 82-72 margin. The defending champion was led by North American Lazar Hayward Jr. who scored a double-double, with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

And so Fuerza Regia and Guaros de Lara qualified to the Final4 of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas in the first and second position respectively. Fuerza Regia will face the team that finishes in the second position of Semifinal #2 to be played next week in Ponce, Puerto Rico, while Guaros will face the team that finishes in the first position of the group.

Semifinal Group #2 will be played 3-5 March in the Auditorio Juan Pachin Vicens of Ponce, Puerto Rico, with the participation of Argentine clubs Weber Bahía Basket and San Lorenzo, Uruguayan club Hebraica y Macabi and the host Leones de Ponce.

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