La Liga Round 12: Gimnasia lose to Penarol

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The biggest surprise took place in Mar del Plata where host Penarol (6-8) crushed league's leader Gimnasia (10-4) 109-83 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gimnasia. Penarol shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Melvin Johnson (193-93, college: VCU) who scored 19 points and 6 assists. The other American import forward Tyler Harris (208-93, college: Auburn) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was international center Roberto Acuna (208-90) who recorded 23 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Penarol moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Gimnasia at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by San Lorenzo. Gimnasia will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Penarol will try to continue on its current victory against seventeenth ranked Olimpico de La Banda at home.
Top ranked Gimnasia (10-4) recorded its fourth loss in Bahia Blanca. Visitors were edged by fourteenth ranked Bahia Basket (7-6) 92-91. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gimnasia. It was a good game for Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99) who saved his team from a defeat with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Travis Weatherington contributed with 26 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Bahia Basket's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The former international Sebastian Vega (200-88) replied with 22 points and 9 rebounds for Gimnasia. Bahia Basket have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place. Gimnasia at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Formosa between Obras and La Union. Sixteenth ranked Obras (6-7) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked La Union (6-9). Obras managed to escape with a 2-point win 89-87 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of La Union. Worth to mention a great performance of Pedro Barral who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Obras' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Alexis Elsener with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Obras moved-up to tenth place. Loser La Union dropped to the fifteenth position with nine games lost. Obras will meet Regatas Corrientes (#13) on the road in the next round. La Union will play against Atenas and hope to secure a win.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Concordia, where higher ranked Hispano Am. (6-10) lost to nineteenth ranked Estudiantes C. (5-12) in a road game 84-88. The winners were led by Gonzalo Torres who scored that evening 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Hispano Am.'s coach Javier Bianchelli rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Estudiantes C. maintains nineteenth position with 5-12 record. Hispano Am. at the other side dropped to the sixteenth place with ten games lost. Estudiantes C.'s next round opponent will be higher ranked Argentino (#12) in Junin and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.

Rest of the games of round 12 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
San Martin C. defeated Argentino in Corrientes 76-60. Bottom-ranked Libertad S. was beaten by Atenas at home 68-72. Olimpico LB lost to Bahia Basket on the opponent's court 80-93. Boca Jrs managed to outperform Estudiantes C. in a home game 86-74. Platense recorded a loss to Ferro on the road 82-71.
The best stats of 12th round was 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by Miguel Ruiz of PLATENSE.

Argentino - San Martin C. 60-76

There was no surprise in Junin where 9th ranked Argentino (6-8) was defeated by sixth ranked San Martin Corrientes (8-5) 76-60. San Martin Corrientes outrebounded Argentino 43-26 including 33 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by swingman Emiliano Basabe (195-92) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Gaston Garcia (187-98) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Even 18 points by naturalized Italian swingman Juan Cangelosi (198-81) did not help to save the game for Argentino. American power forward Anthony Kent (208-83, college: Ball St.) added 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Martin Corrientes maintains sixth position with 8-5 record, which they share with Ferro. Argentino at the other side dropped to the eleventh place with eight games lost. San Martin Corrientes' next round opponent will be Obras (#10) in Buenos Aires. Argentino will play on the road against Estudiantes C. in Concordia and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
San Martin C.: E.Basabe 17+13reb+4ast, G.Garcia 15+6reb+1ast, B.Fitzpatrick 9+3reb+1ast, D.McClenton 9+4reb, J.Fuller 9+1reb+2ast, M.Solanas 9+3reb+2ast
Argentino: J.Cangelosi 18+2reb+1ast, F.Zarate 12+3reb, A.Kent 11+6reb+3ast, J.Slider 7+8reb, M.Federico 4+2reb+1ast, V.Burgos 4+1reb+1ast

Libertad S. - Atenas 68-72

No shocking result in a game when eighteenth ranked Atenas (5-8) defeated on the road bottom-ranked Libertad Sunchales (3-11) 72-68. The winners were led by American guard Lee Moore (193-95, college: UTEP, agency: Mansfield and Associates) who scored that evening 19 points and the other American import center Horace Spencer (206-97, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Four Atenas players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds by point guard Andres Lugli (188-95) did not help to save the game for Libertad Sunchales. The former international center Juan-Manuel Torres (210-84) added 19 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Atenas maintains eighteenth position with 5-8 record. Libertad Sunchales lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 11 games lost. Atenas' next round opponent will be higher ranked La Union (#15) in Formosa and it may be quite challenging game. Libertad Sunchales will play at home against Hispano Am. (#16) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Atenas: L.Moore 19+3reb+3ast, L.Arn 14+4reb+1ast, H.Spencer 13+11reb, E.Robinson 10+6reb, F.Baralle 7+1reb, M.Chiarini 4+1ast
Libertad S.: A.Lugli 23+14reb+2ast, J.Manuel Torres 19+6reb, F.Gago 10+2reb+1ast, D.Battle 8+1reb+2ast, M.Yarbrough 4+1reb, A.Alonso 3+1reb

La Union - Obras 87-89

A very close game took place in Formosa between Obras and La Union. Sixteenth ranked Obras (6-7) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked La Union (6-9). Obras managed to escape with a 2-point win 89-87 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of La Union. Obras dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to La Union's 28. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Pedro Barral (187-94, agency: Duran International) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-97, agency: Duran International) who added 18 points and 7 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) during the contest. Obras' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was the former international swingman Alexis Elsener (196-88, agency: Interperformances) with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized Spanish guard Jonathan Maldonado (188-90) scored 19 points. Five Obras and four La Union players scored in double figures. Obras moved-up to tenth place. Loser La Union dropped to the fifteenth position with nine games lost. Obras will meet Regatas Corrientes (#13) on the road in the next round. La Union will play against Atenas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Obras: F.Zurbriggen 18+7reb, L.Valussi 16+3reb+2ast, P.Barral 15+5reb+8ast, R.Barber 12+5reb, J.Montero 10+6reb+2ast, L.Berra 10+5reb
La Union: A.Elsener 20+6reb+4ast, J.Maldonado 19+1reb+2ast, A.Young 16+3reb+1ast, T.Francis 13+8reb, E.Vassirani 7+5reb, L.Perez 6+3reb+3ast

Penarol - Gimnasia 109-83

The biggest surprise took place in Mar del Plata where host Penarol (6-8) crushed league's leader Gimnasia (10-4) 109-83 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gimnasia. Penarol shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Melvin Johnson (193-93, college: VCU) who scored 19 points and 6 assists. The other American import forward Tyler Harris (208-93, college: Auburn) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds. Harris is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was international center Roberto Acuna (208-90) who recorded 23 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and point guard Jonatan Treise (185-85) added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists respectively. Five Penarol and four Gimnasia players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Penarol moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Gimnasia at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by San Lorenzo. Gimnasia will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Penarol will try to continue on its current victory against seventeenth ranked Olimpico de La Banda at home.
Top scorers:
Penarol: T.Harris 20+6reb+3ast, M.Johnson 19+4reb+6ast, J.Valinotti 18+1ast, S.Vaulet 17+8reb+1ast, J.Pablo Cantero 12+1reb+2ast, P.Tabarez 12+3reb+3ast
Gimnasia: R.Acuna 23+3reb+2ast, D.Romero 14+4reb+2ast, J.Manuel Rivero 13+2reb, J.Treise 10+6reb+8ast, Y.Mensia 6+2reb, S.Vega 6+8reb

Estudiantes C. - Hispano Am. 88-84

We should mention about the upset which took place in Concordia, where higher ranked Hispano Am. (6-10) lost to nineteenth ranked Estudiantes C. (5-12) in a road game 84-88. Estudiantes C. made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Hispano Am.'s players. The winners were led by power forward Gonzalo Torres (201-94) who scored that evening 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Uruguayan forward Joaquin Rodriguez (198-99) supported him with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Even 24 points by American guard Kelsey Barlow (196-91, college: UIC) did not help to save the game for Hispano Am.. Agustin Barreiro (203-99) added 10 points and 7 rebounds. Four Estudiantes C. and five Hispano Am. players scored in double figures. Hispano Am.'s coach Javier Bianchelli rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Estudiantes C. maintains nineteenth position with 5-12 record. Hispano Am. at the other side dropped to the sixteenth place with ten games lost. Estudiantes C.'s next round opponent will be higher ranked Argentino (#12) in Junin and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.
Top scorers:
Estudiantes C.: G.Torres 25+9reb+4ast, J.Rodriguez 23+6reb+7ast, X.Carreras 13+4reb+1ast, P.Chourio 12+3reb+3ast, C.Lufile 9+3reb+1ast, J.Laterza 4+1reb
Hispano Am.: K.Barlow 24+3reb+3ast, D.Hure 12+4reb+1ast, N.Paletta 11+2reb+2ast, A.Barreiro 10+7reb+1ast, F.Mansilla 10+4reb+1ast, O.Keshinro 5+4reb

Bahia Basket - Olimpico LB 93-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 15th ranked Olimpico de La Banda's (5-7) road loss to fourteenth ranked Bahia Basket (7-6) 80-93. Bahia Basket players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Olimpico de La Banda helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The winners were led by Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99) who scored that evening 19 points and 8 assists and American forward Drew Martin (203-94, college: Concordia, OR) supported him with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Four Bahia Basket players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists by Cuban Karel Guzman (188-95) did not help to save the game for Olimpico de La Banda. American-Panamanian point guard Trevor Gaskins (188-89, college: Louisiana Tech, agency: Pro Sports) added 23 points. Olimpico de La Banda's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Bahia Basket have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place. Olimpico de La Banda at the other side dropped to the seventeenth position with seven games lost. Bahia Basket will have a break next round. Olimpico de La Banda will play on the road against Penarol (#14) in Mar del Plata and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Bahia Basket: P.Caio 19+4reb+8ast, D.Martin 17+8reb+2ast, T.Weatherington 13+2reb+1ast, J.Levy 11+6reb, F.Elias 9+1reb+1ast, F.Ruesga 7+3reb
Olimpico LB: T.Gaskins 23+4reb+3ast, K.Guzman 17+13reb+4ast, L.Ortiz 13+2reb, D.Tintorelli 9+9reb+1ast, R.Glenn 6+5reb, A.Guillermo 5+2reb+1ast

Boca Jrs - Estudiantes C. 86-74

Very predictable result in Buenos Aires where eighth ranked Boca Juniors (8-6) beat 19th ranked Estudiantes C. (5-12) 86-74. Boca Juniors shot 62.0 percent from the field. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Estudiantes C. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The winners were led by the former international forward Federico Aguerre (203-88) who scored that evening 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Adrian Boccia (195-82) supported him with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Even 18 points and 4 assists by Eduardo Gamboa (189-84) did not help to save the game for Estudiantes C.. Power forward Gonzalo Torres (201-94) added 12 points and 7 rebounds. Boca Juniors maintains eighth position with 8-6 record. Estudiantes C. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth place with 12 games lost. Boca Juniors' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Buenos Aires to the arena Ferro.
Top scorers:
Boca Jrs: F.Aguerre 19+7reb+4ast, A.Boccia 19+6reb+1ast, B.Sansimoni 10+2reb+1ast, K.Washington 9, A.Konsztadt 8+1reb+6ast, M.Sandes 7+1reb+3ast
Estudiantes C.: E.Gamboa 18+3reb+4ast, G.Torres 12+7reb+2ast, A.Alves 10+1reb, J.Rodriguez 8+1reb, P.Chourio 7+1ast, X.Carreras 7+1reb+1ast

Bahia Basket - Gimnasia 92-91

Top ranked Gimnasia (10-4) recorded its fourth loss in Bahia Blanca. Visitors were edged by fourteenth ranked Bahia Basket (7-6) 92-91. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gimnasia. Strangely Gimnasia outrebounded Bahia Basket 39-27 including 26 on the defensive glass. Gimnasia was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99) who saved his team from a defeat with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Travis Weatherington (188-95, college: Hartford) contributed with 26 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Bahia Basket's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The former international Sebastian Vega (200-88) replied with 22 points and 9 rebounds and center Diego Romero (206-82, college: FSU) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Gimnasia. Five Gimnasia players scored in double figures. Bahia Basket have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place. Gimnasia at the other side dropped to the second position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Bahia Basket: T.Weatherington 26+2reb+2ast, P.Caio 24+5reb+4ast, J.Lynch 9+3ast, R.Paulichi 9+3reb+1ast, J.Levy 7+6reb+1ast, D.Martin 7+8reb+1ast
Gimnasia: S.Vega 22+9reb+2ast, M.Buendia 15+3reb+2ast, J.Treise 14+1reb+5ast, D.Romero 12+9reb+3ast, Y.Mensia 11+5reb+2ast, J.Manuel Rivero 8+2ast

Ferro - Platense 82-71

Not a big story in a game in Buenos Aires where 10th ranked CA Platense (6-8) was defeated by seventh ranked Ferro (8-5) 82-71. They made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Ferro brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. The winners were led by guard Luciano Massarelli (185-93) who scored that evening 22 points and 4 assists and point guard Sebastian Orresta (188-93) supported him with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by Venezuelan forward Miguel Ruiz (197-90, agency: Pro Sports) did not help to save the game for CA Platense. Marcos Saglietti (188-86) added 13 points. Four CA Platense players scored in double figures. Ferro moved-up to sixth place, which they share with San Martin C. CA Platense at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with eight games lost. Ferro's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Buenos Aires Boca Juniors.
Top scorers:
FERRO: L.Massarelli 22+2reb+4ast, E.Thomas 17+4reb+3ast, S.Orresta 15+6reb+6ast, Z.Waterman 8+1reb+1ast, K.Hernandez 8+9reb, F.Marin 7+4reb+1ast
PLATENSE: M.Ruiz 17+11reb+4ast, M.Saglietti 13+4reb+3ast, A.Diez 11+4reb, L.Goldenberg 11+5reb+2ast, D.Dingle 9, T.White 7+4reb+1ast



Tags : MELVIN JOHNSON, PENAROL MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINIAN BASKETBALL