Didi: ''We will do everything to win the title''
ASUNCION (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018) - The first finalist of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 is the Brazilian team Franca. The Paulista club, led by coach Helinho Rubens, qualified to the Final of
ASUNCION (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018) - The first finalist of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 is the Brazilian team Franca. The Paulista club, led by coach Helinho Rubens, qualified to the Final of the regional league for the first time in 11 years.
The team, despite losing to Libertad Sunchales (ARG) 93-86 in their last game of the first Semi-Final group, that took place at the SND Arena in Asunción, Paraguay, managed to advance after capturing a better differential of points in a three-way tie with Sunchales and Olimpia (PAR), all with a 2-1 record.
The win with 16 points of advantage (78-62) in the second day against Olimpia, was crucial to reach the Final of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018.
Franca, in the last two commitments could not count with the team’s top scorer David Jackson (17.3 points per game in the tournament), but with his absence, the team took a step forward.
The 19-year-old Marcos Silva "Didi" led the team's scoring with an average of 13.3 points, while André Goes and the experienced Rafael Hettsheimeir contributed 12.3 each.
The attack from long distance was the reference of the team that scored 41 three-pointers in 94 attempts for an average of 13.6 per game and an effectiveness of 44%.
"I am very happy with the qualification, we captured our goal of reaching the final and we will do everything to win that title. Things are happening very fast, I have given the most of myself in practices and the confidence that coach Helinho and my teammates have given me, it has been fundamental,” said Didi to the newspaper Globo.
In the Final of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018, Franca will play for the Horacio Muratore Cup, against the best team of the second Semi-Final Group.
"Our focus and determination has brought us this far, the union of our group on and off the field, fighting for each other, that is our way of playing, that is the spirit of the team. We want the title. We will maintain our position, with humility and our feet on the ground, that’s how we got here and that will give us our strength to win that title," he concluded.
FIBA