HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 5 (acn) Capitalinos team will have a tough debut today versus the Lara Guaros in preliminary group D of the Americas Basketball Champions League, based in the Bolivariano Dome in Barquisimeto , Venezuela.
The monarchs of the Cuban men's basketball will face the Venezuelans runners up, who will have the advantage of having the support of their fans in the capital of the state of Lara.
That tournament is attended by 16 squads divided into four groups, and the first two of each poole will advance to the next phase, to then seek for a ticket to the Final Four, stage where the champion will be defined.
In the preliminary phase the Cuban representative will also face, on February 6th the Brazilian side of UNICEUB; while on the 7th they will rival the Arecibo Capitanes, from Puerto Rico, to define the two teams that will advance for this group.
Ruperto Herrera, president of the Cuban Basketball Federation, told ACN that this event will be very demanding because most of the clubs will be reinforced with foreign players, strengthening even more the teams.
For us, he said, we are only reinforced with Cuban athletes, but that will not prevent Capitalinos to go out for the victory in each game to see if getting the ticket to the next round.
He also mentioned that it will be very helpful the incorporation of pivot Joan Luis Haiti, forward William Granda and guard Osmel Oliva, all members of the national team.
Finally, he added it will be a chance for Cuban players to face rivals with competitive experience, which in turn will help raising their technical and tactical level.
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