Instituto and Franca secure first spots in the Semi-Final Phase

FRANCA (DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana) - Group A of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana 2018 already determined the two teams that will qualify to the Semi-Final Phase, following strong showings from Franca (Brazil) and Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba (Argentina) during the second day of the preliminary group.

 
Franca overwhelmed Aguada (Uruguay) for a 96-75 win. The home owners started losing 14-4 in the first four minutes of the match, but after a timeout from coach Helinho they took absolute control. The first quarter ended with a score of 18-16 and in the second quarter, the team from Franca dominated by 37-19, which gave them the advantage by 55-35 at halftime.

In that first half, the team from Sao Pablo shot for a 58% of effectiveness in field shots and scored nine three-pointers.

Aguada tried to reduce the distance, but Franca maintained the intensity until the end of the confrontation. In total they finished with 14 triples, 16 assists and only five turnovers.

David Jackson, with 16 points, led the offensive of the winners, who had up to six players in double digits in points.

Sebastián Izaguirre with 21 points (five triples) and Demian Álvarez with 17, were the best for the "aguatero".

 
In the game that opened the second day of Group A, Luciano Gonzalez scored 14 of his 21 points in the last quarter and was decisive as Instituto contained the thrust of Leones de Quilpué (Chile), to claim a 76-70 victory.

Gonzalez commanded his team with four triples in seven attempts, including one with 1:40 left before the end, which allowed the Argentines to make a key gap of 74-67, to stop the rival.

Facundo Piñero and Leandro García Morales added 14 points each for Instituto and Gastón Whelan summed eight assists. For the felines, the Dominican Elys Manuel Guzman stood out with 21 points and the Panamanian Josimar Ayarza contributed 16, with 8 rebounds.

The last day of the first preliminary group will feature Leones and Aguada, with the third spot of the group at stake. The best third place team from Group A, C and D will also qualify to the Semi-Final Phase of the DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana.

Meanwhile, Franca and Instituto will play for the top spot of Group A.

FIBA