Guaros defeat San Lorenzo, takes top of Semi-Final group

BUENOS AIRES (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - Guaros de Lara (3-0) won the top of the second Semi-Final group of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas 2019, after defeating host San Lorenzo 66-57.

Both teams, the day before, had already secured their qualification to the Final4, where Paulistano and Capitanes from Mexico City awaited.

Guaros took the victory, based on a strong defense, which stopped the race of the rival and never allowed them to feel comfortable on court.

Heissler Guillent was the hero of the Venezuelan team scoring the last eight points of his team. The point guard scored a three-pointer to give his team a 61-55 advantage with 1:46 minutes to go. Then he scored five consecutive free throws to seal the win.

Guillent finished with 16 points and along with Aaron Harper’s 17 points, guided the offense of the Larenses.

 

Guaros' defense limited San Lorenzo to just 34% on field goal efficiency (64-22), including 28-5 on 3-pointers. The Venezuelans were not very effective in attack with 36% in their shots (75-27 and 22-5 in three-pointers) and only seven assists, but they caught 55 rebounds, 21 of them offensive, which resulted in 20 points in second opportunities.

"We knew it would be an intense game, San Lorenzo is a great rival, but we were able to follow our plan. The defense got us the win, in attack we were anxious, we did not get the spaces but in the end, we found the key man who was Heissler," said Gregory Vargas. "The sacrifice gave us results. We all put our grain of sand in the rebounds," he added.

With the conclusion of the second Semi-Final Group, the first day of the Final4 will see Guaros face Capitanes de México and San Lorenzo face Paulistano.

"Our goal is to win the league, but we are going step by step. We wanted to win this game, but we have to turn the page and go hard to the Final4," added Vargas.

For San Lorenzo, Jerome Meyinsse, Dar Tucker and Donald Sims, were the most outstanding with 10 points each.

"We were never comfortable in the match; the low score is evidence of that. They played better, took a lot of offensive rebounds and took second chances. These are things that we have to correct for the Final4," explained José Vildoza.

In the first commitment of the day, Capitanes de Arecibo defeated Las Animas, 78-69. Andre Emmett with 22 points, Johwen Villegas and Victor Rudd with 14 each, commanded the attack of the Caribbean team. For the Chilean squad, Brandon Robinson and Arnold Louis stood out with 23 and 18 units, respectively.

 

FIBA