2018 FIBA Americas League Group D Report
The first group stage of the 2018 FIBA Americas League concluded in dramatic fashion, as two title contenders battled it out for supremacy with only pride at stake.
One of Brazil's top teams, Bauru, played host to the final group at their home arena Ginaso Panela de Pressao in the state of Sao Paulo. Joining them were two teams from central america - Correcaminos Colon from Panama and El Salvador's representative San Salvador. The biggest threat for the home team, though, would be Guaros de Lara - Venezuela's premier side and one of the very best club teams in south america, if not the world. Guaros come into this competition as winners of last year's Liga Sudamericana and are seeking a third consecutive Americas League title.
Guaros got Group D underway with a comfortable victory over Colon, despite Colon's Terrence Shannon (26 points, 16 rebounds) battling for his team against Guaros's top performer Nestor Colmenares (18 points, 12 rebounds). Able to string together numerous scoring runs, Guaros led from start to finish, putting up 13 threes on the way. They led as high as nineteen during the game, and at the final buzzer they sealed their first win of the 2018 tournament 88 points to 70 ahead.
In the second contest of day one Raymond Cintron looked to upset Bauru, putting in a highly impressive scoring show on his way to 24 points for San Salvador. The Salvadorians proved a bigger task than expected for Bauru, but the Brazilian team put their first-half nerves to rest, with their play in the paint and shooting form the corner getting them off to the best start in the tournament, winning 83-67 against San Salvador in a group where every win was going to matter.
Guaros took an early lead against San Salvador on day two, but behind twelve points in the paint, five threes and a big individual showing from Roberto Martinez - who finished with 23 points - in the first half alone, San Salvador took the lead in the second quarter. It didn't last long, though, and with 28 points in the third quarter, including a run of eleven unanswered, Guaros carried on course to a highly comfortable victory, the final score 94 to 73.
Led by 18 three-pointers and 21 points from both Renan Lenz and Kendall Anthony, Bauru had the edge over Colon. Joel Tesis's play from the field did well to tighten the game up in the second quarter, but after halftime Bauru began to run away with it, outscoring Colon 25 to 6 in the third quarter and leading by as much as 28. Bauru's dominance and superior skills were evident in the final scoreline, as they finished 24 points clear of Colon.
Neither team could now advance from the group, but that didn't stop San Salvador and Colon giving it their all to salvage pride in Group D. A close game, with both teams hitting well from the same spots on the floor, but Colon stole it in the latter stage of the game, thanks largely to their top scorer Scott Rogers, who had 22 points. Behind by five points at the final buzzer, despite a gutsy performance from San Salvador all week, it was Colon who got the win for the road.
It all came down to this - Bauru vs Guaros de Lara for first place in the group.
Bauru's ability to find routes through the opposition defence and to the basket gave them an early lead, but with Heissler Guillent brilliant, as always, from the three-point line and tough interior offence from their big men, Guaros surged into the lead late in the second quarter. Bauru would not go down without a fight though - Stefano Alles put in 100% for his team, and Eduardo Machado and Gabriel Galvanini did well from close range - but Heissler led Guaros in continued excellence from distance and the team made every possession count. A seven-point run from Bauru in the final thirty seconds of play would not be enough for them, Guaros sealed their position at top of the group with another impressive win that signalled there's plenty more great things to come from the Venezuelan team in this competition.
Bauru also advance in spite of the final loss. They and Guaros will next play Estudiantes Concordia and Regatas Corrientes in their next phase of the tournament, which will take place from 9th-12th March.
Before that, though, San Lorenzo de Almagro will play host to Group E this year. Joining the hosts will be fellow Argentinian club Ferro, Monterrey of Mexico and Mogi das Cruzes from Brazil. Play in the first second-round group will commence on the 2nd of March, and we will provide a full report shortly after.
Until then, for more on the Americas League and further detail on all games and players, head over to the official website of the competition.
