SAN JUAN (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas FIBA) - The groups and venues of the First Round of the 2015 DIRECTV Liga de las Americas FIBA were unveiled on Thursday.

The eighth edition of the competition will bring together 16 teams from nine countries across South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The groups and venues of the most important club competition in the Americas are as follow:

Group A (16-18 January in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil)
Sao Jose (BRA)
Fuerza Regia (MEX)
Penarol de Mar del Plata (ARG)
Leones Alcaldia de Managua (NIC)

Group B (23-25 January in Cancun, Mexico)
Pioneros de Quintana Roo (MEX)
Flamengo (BRA)
Malvin (URU)
Leones de Quilpue (CHI)

Group C (30 January-1 February in Corrientes, Argentina)
Regatas Corrientes (ARG)
Marinos de Oriente (VEN)
Halcones Rojos (MEX)
Paulistano (BRA)

Group D (6-8 February in Tunja, Colombia)
Patriotas de Boyaca (COL)
Trotamundos (VEN)
Capitanes de Arecibo (PUR)
Bauru (BRA)

FIBA also unveiled the new name of the competition, DIRECTV Liga de las Americas, under the agreement made with the pay-tv operator, that also includes exclusive broadcast rights. DIRECTV is one of the leading providers of digital television and delivery in Latin American, with historical coverage of the most important worldwide sporting events through various digital devices.

"This agreement with DIRECTV consolidates the Liga de las Americas until 2019 and reaffirms that the dream we had in 2006 was possible," said the Executive Director of FIBA in the Americas, Mr Alberto Garcia.

"We are very happy and grateful to the clubs that participated in the league since its inception and to those that have been added through the years. This league was created for them so that the best clubs have an international league where they can shine. The champions can do it again in the Intercontinental Cup, when they faces the Turkish Airlines Euroleague champion.

"The intent of the Liga de las Americas was, is and will be to promote the national leagues of each country, because this workshop is to develop players, coaches and referees. Without these international competitions we cannot hope to have good national Team. Thanks again to all those who believed in this league since its inception."

Guillermo Barreto, Director of sports programming of DIRECTV PanAmericana said: "Encouraging the development of basketball in Latin America and bringing the best of the sport to our audience in the region is very important to us and with the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas we can achieve that. This competition of FIBA has been instrumental in promoting the American Basketball worldwide."

FIBA