What we can expect in BCLA's third group stage

MIAMI (United States) – The Group Stage of Basketball Champions League Americas will come to an end with great battles during the third and final stage that will be played March 11 -16 in Calgary, Canada (Group A), São Paulo, Brazil (Group B), Buenos Aires, Argentina (Group C) and Concepción, Chile (Group D).

So far, five teams have secured their place in the playoffs with São Paulo, Minas, Biguá, Flamengo and Boca Juniors having punched their respective tickets. Now the last three places in the Final 8 will be determined as the leaders of each group will be decided, a situation no less important because it determines the seeds of the final stage. There is a lot at stake with contests you won’t want to miss.

This is what awaits us in this third stage:

Group A

Calgary (CAN), Winsport Arena

Monday, March 14 – 7:30 p.m. (local time)
Stingers vs. Cangrejeros

Tuesday, March 15 – 7:30 p.m.
Cangrejeros vs. Real Esteli

Wednesday, March 16 – 7:30 p.m.
Stingers vs. Real Esteli

Nothing is settled in Group A. All three teams have a chance of advancing to the playoffs and none are out of contention. Cangrejeros (3-1) are leading and have everything going for them. With one more victory they will seal their trip to the final round, otherwise they will have to wait for the results of the other contests which is an unenviable place to be. Estelí (2-2), after losing his first two games, recovered in the previous stage and managed to level their record, but after pulling even at home will now have to hit the road.

The Edmonton Stingers (1-3) will try to take advantage of playing on their home court to stay alive for a place in the Final 8. They cannot afford to lose against Cangrejeros in their opening game of the third stage which would place them in a situation where they will have to scoreboard watch to stay alive in their first BCL Americas tournament.

Group B

São Paulo (BRA), Ginásio Pol. Dr. Antonio Leme Nunes Galvão

Friday, March 11 – 8:30 p.m. (local time)
São Paulo vs. Quimsa

Saturday March 12 – 20:30
Quimsa vs. Nacional

Sunday, March 13 – 8:30 p.m.
São Paulo vs. Nacional

São Paulo (4-0) has already convincingly qualified and with first place assured, everything in this group comes down to Saturday's game between Quimsa (1-3) and Nacional (1-3). Their records are identical with one win per side. Whoever prevails in this matchup will win the head-to-head series and will keep second place and the ticket to the playoffs.

Both squads come into the third window with new looks. Nacional, which weeks ago released their head coach, named Miguel Volcán as their new head coach and he will make his BCLA debut. They also added Venezuelan shooting guard José Bracho to add scoring off of the bench. Forward Dominique Morrison scored 42 against Quimsa the last time they met, so the Argentine club must gameplan for him. Quimsa will also have a talented Venezuelan in its ranks, forward Garly Sojo, is very athletic and plays both ends of the court.

Group C

Buenos Aires (ARG), Estadio Obras Sanitarias

Monday, March 14 – 8:00 p.m. (local time)
Obras Sanitarias vs. Minas

Tuesday, March 15 – 8:00 p.m.
Minas vs. Bigua

Wednesday, March 16 – 8:00 p.m.
Obras Sanitarias vs. Bigua

Minas (3-1) and Biguá (3-1) escaped in the first two stages and left Obras (0-4) without a chance to move on after this round. They struggled and lost close games,ultimately lacked what it took to advance to the Final 8. The picture in Group C is essentially set and Tuesday’s battle between Minas and Biguá will determine the top spot in the group.

Both Brazilians and Uruguayans have a win each head-to-head, both winning on their home floors, first Minas (95-73) and then Biguá (96-91). They will now be in neutral territory which makes things more even and more interesting. In the two previous matches, the team that better capitalized on its opponent's errors came out on top.

Group D

Concepción (CHI), Gimnasio de la Casa del Deporte

Friday, March 11 – 6:00 p.m. (local time)
UdeC vs. Flamengo

Saturday March 12 – 18:00
Flamengo vs. Boca Juniors

Sunday March 13 – 18:00
Boca Juniors vs. UdeC

Unfortunately, UdeC (0-4) will be in front of their fans without a mathematical opportunity to advance, but they will try to say goodbye leaving a good impression against two solid teams in Boca Juniors (3-1) and the defending champion Flamengo (3-1). Those two will take center stage with first place on the line Saturday.

Flamengo, the favorite to retain their crown, arrives with after lifting the 2022 Intercontinental Cup a few weeks ago beating Spain’s San Pablo Burgos in the final held in Cairo, Egypt. The MVP of that event, Mexican Luke Martínez, will be back for the Brazilians after not being able to perform in the previous stage. Boca, in its victory the last time they faced Flamengo, punished them in the paint scoring at will. The question is - can they repeat that formula?

FIBA