FORMOSA (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) – Union de Formosa is in the midst of irregular performances in the Argentinian National Team, but the team will face Group A of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas with clear objectives and goals.

The team from Formosa was a revelation in the 2015-2016 season of the Argentinian National League after qualifying to the Finals, with great performances in the second half of the competition.

Union now faces the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas with the hope that good moments could take the team to the desired level.

Coach Guillermo Narvarte acknowledged that they are still far from what they are aiming for, but he is confident that with the motivation for the continental tournament, the team can begin to show an improvement.

What does a return to the international arena mean for Union?
It’s something very important, because after the previous participation in the LDA, the team suffered bad seasons and a return seemed like a very distant goal. Last season was very good, and when the playoff arrived we realized that we could compete at the international level again. Playing at the Final of the National League, qualified the team to the Liga de las Americas and that was something we enjoyed. Now we value the qualification even more because how hard it was to reach the best club competition of the Americas. That is a source of pride for the team and for Formosa.

What were the objectives?
Our expectations are the best. Our motto from the beginning of this project was to try to give our best at all times. The competition itself will tell us where we are. This type of tournament is very fair and the champion is always the best team. We must go day by day to give our best level, with the initial goal of being able to qualify to the second phase.

What do you think of the preliminary group along with Soles Mexicali (MEX), Aguada (URU) and Correcaminos Colón (PAN)?
As always there are teams that are favorites, others that, a priori, do not seem to be favorites and others that have measured expectations. I think the four teams that we will be in Mexicali belong to this last batch. We are not favorites of the Continental League, but all have weapons to compete. Soles for being host, having experience in this competition and with their valuable players, is one of the candidates to pass to the next phase. Aguada, a team with a tradition in Uruguay and today the leader of the LUB, and Correcaminos, the last Central American League Champion, will have a lot of motivation. The Panamanian team already participated in the last edition of the Liga de las Americas and got into the second phase, leaving behind valuable teams. They will surely want to repeat or improve their last performance. I think it will be a very difficult group, as we will have very intense days and uncertain results.

In the National League, La Unión has been a little irregular. What should be improved for the LDA?
Undoubtedly we are irregular, it has been our common denominator this season and I think there are several factors for it. On the one hand the team has changed some players and therefore we had to go day by day getting to know us as a team. Also that the North zone is extremely strong, with many teams with great expectations and that has generated a great parity. Also in the recess we incorporated valuable national player Elsener and for the Liga de las Americas we will complete the quota of foreigners with Cayole. With them we look for certain things that the team needs. Undoubtedly we must improve the regularity and be able to minimize the margins of errors, something that at the international level is totally necessary.

FIBA