BARQUISIMETO (Liga Profesional) - Margarita-based Guaiqueries sealed their place in the Venezuelan Liga Profesional semi-finals despite an 87-86 defeat in their quarter-final decider with Guaros from Lara.
The Domo Bolivariano stadium loss meant Guaros won the series 4-3 but Guaiqueries secured a final four clash with Trotamundos from Carabobo courtesy of having the best record of the three losing quarter-finalists. Carabobo eliminated Monagas' Gatos in the last eight, which saw six teams contest three quarter-finals.
Guaros, meanwhile, will take on Gaiteros del Zulia for a place in the final, Gaiteros having eliminated reigning champions Marinos.
Guaros looked have Thursday's game won in the first half, netting nine three-pointers inside the opening 20 minutes to establish a 45-38 lead.
But, with their reserves on the pitch for much of the second half, Guaros were put under severe pressure from Guaiqueries' Rene Farias, Cesar Silva and Antonio Torcatt.
Fourteen seconds before the final whistle, Guaiqueries could have levelled the game, but Silva missed a free-throw, handing Guaros victory by a single point.
PA Sport