Venezuelan heroes set for big games with Guaros

BARQUISIMETO (Liga Sudamericana) - There is an interesting subplot to Group F action in the 2015 DIRECTV Liga Sudamericana this week.

Can the Venezuela national team players that fought so hard and successfully at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City now take advantage of a opportunity with their club, Guaros de Lara, and reach a best-of-three Final on the continent with their club?

If Guaros finish first in Group F, they will take on Group E winners UniCEUB BRB in a title showdown.

At the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City in early September, Venezuela upset Canada in the Semi-Finals to qualify for the 2016 Olympics and then beat Argentina to capture the title for the first time.

One player crucial to the Venezuela cause was Guaros star Heissler Guillent, a guard who had 19 points in the win over Canada and 15 in the victory over Argentina.

His Venezuela teammates Windi Graterol, Jose Vargas, David Cubillan and Nestor Colmenares also play for Guaros.

"That Guaros reunited several players and the coaching staff of the national team makes us a good team, mainly because it is the same philosophy of play," Guillent said.

"Having the same coach (Nestor 'Che' Garcia), does not change our style."

Colmenares says the Liga Sudamericana is an important event for the club and the players.

Guaros is clearly under pressure to win as the home side.

"The expectations are quite large," he said.

"I have a bit of pressure and anxiety to do things right, to represent Guaros in this important tournament.

"This semifinal round will be quite hard because the teams are loaded but we have worked well and hard and we're all eager to play."

Guaros won all three of their games in the Group Phase, including an 89-76 triumph over Franca.

Mogi Das Cruzes and Franca Basketball Clube (both Brazil) and San Martin de Corrientes (Argentina) are the teams standing in the way of Guaros reaching the Final. 

FIBA