FIBA Intercontinental Cup goes to Guaros de Lara

South America is the destination of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup title after Guaros de Lara clinched the season opening trophy with a 74-69 win over Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt. The game put the FIBA Europe Cup champions from Germany against the Liga Americas champs from Venezuela.

The Skyliners had home court advantage, but Guaros de Lara produced a strong effort to claim the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

The guests started well, scoring 19 points during the first quarter to open a four point cushion at the first split, with the scoreboard reading 15-19. Fraport Skyliners picked it up in the second quarter and drained 23 points to snatch back the advantage. Through the halftime long break the Germans had opened a 39-32 lead.

Latin American giant Guaros de Lara wrestled back the momentum in the third act and scored 19 points during the stanza while stopping Frankfurt at 13 points. Through thirty minutes the hosts still led 52-51. However, the wind was in Lara’s sails that the Liga Americas champs raced through the fourth quarter and claimed the cross-continental title.

Zach Graham scored 19 points in the win and helped himself to the MVP award in the process. Damion James followed Graham’s lead with 17 points, while Heissler Guillent scored 10 points.

Shavon Shields dropped 16 points in the losing effort, with Quantez Robertson adding 12 points.