La Liga Round 17 of Regular Season

There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game in Mar del Plata was quite interesting. Fifth ranked San Martin Corrientes (11-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Penarol (9-11). San Martin Corrientes managed to secure a 7-point victory 102-95 on Wednesday. 24 personal fouls committed by Penarol helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Point guard Jonatan Machuca (181-89) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 assists for the winners and American JC Fuller (194-94, college: W.Illinois, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 24 points. San Martin Corrientes' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman LeBryan Nash (201-92, college: Oklahoma St.) responded with 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. San Martin Corrientes have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory San Martin Corrientes went down to sixth position due to points difference. Penarol lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 11 games lost. San Martin Corrientes are looking forward to face Atenas (#17) in Cordoba in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Penarol will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Bahia Blanca. Twelfth ranked Bahia Basket (9-9) saved a 1-point victory at home edging higher ranked San Martin Corrientes (11-6) 116-115 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Martin Corrientes. Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99) nailed 27 points and 9 assists for the winning side and Drew Martin accounted for 18 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Power forward Sebastian Acevedo (200-90) came up with 24 points and 9 rebounds for San Martin Corrientes in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bahia Basket moved-up to ninth place. San Martin Corrientes at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Bahia Basket will play against Boca Juniors (#10) in Buenos Aires in the next round. San Martin Corrientes will play at home against Atenas (#17) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Concordia between Estudiantes C. and Obras. Nineteenth ranked Estudiantes C. (6-17) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Obras (8-10). Estudiantes C. managed to escape with a 3-point win 66-63 on Wednesday evening. The best player for the winners was Eduardo Gamboa who scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Raven Barber produced 14 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Obras' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Estudiantes C. maintains nineteenth place with 6-17 record. Loser Obras dropped to the thirteenth position with ten games lost. Estudiantes C. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Obras will play against the league's leader Comunicaciones (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Twentieth-ranked Libertad Sunchales (4-16) gave a tough game to thirteenth ranked Argentino (9-12). The visitors from Junin managed to secure only three-point victory 70-67. However their fans expected much easier game. Federico Marini orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Libertad Sunchales' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Argentino moved-up to twelfth place. Libertad Sunchales lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
10th ranked Boca Juniors (9-10) was outscored at home by seventh ranked Instituto (11-4) with the biggest margin this round 93-71 on Monday night. G Jordan stepped up and scored 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Instituto have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place. Boca Juniors lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with ten games lost. Instituto will face Hispano Am. (#18) in Rio Gallegos in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Boca Juniors will play on the road against Bahia Basket (#9) in Bahia Blanca and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Atenas lost to Regatas C. on the opponent's court 83-90. La Union was outscored by Regatas C. in a home game 70-89. Argentino recorded a loss to Quimsa on the road 102-92. Gimnasia crushed Olimpico LB on its own court 81-61. Instituto beat Platense in Cordoba 74-58. Boca Jrs won against Olimpico LB at home 71-66.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 12 rebounds by Federico Aguerre of Boca Jrs.

Bahia Basket - San Martin C. 116-115

Important game to mention about took place in Bahia Blanca. Twelfth ranked Bahia Basket (9-9) saved a 1-point victory at home edging higher ranked San Martin Corrientes (11-6) 116-115 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Martin Corrientes. Strangely San Martin Corrientes outrebounded Bahia Basket 54-39 including a 42-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. San Martin Corrientes was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-99) nailed 27 points and 9 assists for the winning side and American forward Drew Martin (203-94, college: Concordia, OR) accounted for 18 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Power forward Sebastian Acevedo (200-90) came up with 24 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Jonatan Machuca (181-89) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for San Martin Corrientes in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bahia Basket moved-up to ninth place. San Martin Corrientes at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Bahia Basket will play against Boca Juniors (#10) in Buenos Aires in the next round. San Martin Corrientes will play at home against Atenas (#17) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bahia Basket: P.Caio 27+3reb+9ast, J.Lynch 19+2reb+1ast, D.Martin 18+15reb+4ast, T.Weatherington 14+2reb, J.Levy 13+8reb+2ast, F.Ruesga 10+4reb+1ast
San Martin C.: J.Fuller 24+7reb+2ast, S.Acevedo 24+9reb+3ast, J.Machuca 20+5reb+8ast, E.Basabe 16+13reb+3ast, I.Basualdo 14+11reb, T.Zanzottera 6+2reb

Boca Jrs - Instituto 71-93

10th ranked Boca Juniors (9-10) was outscored at home by seventh ranked Instituto (11-4) with the biggest margin this round 93-71 on Monday night. Instituto outrebounded Boca Juniors 43-31 including 35 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Boca Juniors' players. G Jordan stepped up and scored 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Martin Cuello (193-93) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Instituto players scored in double figures. The former international swingman Adrian Boccia (195-82) responded with 17 points and point guard Alejandro Konsztadt (191-89) scored 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Instituto have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place. Boca Juniors lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with ten games lost. Instituto will face Hispano Am. (#18) in Rio Gallegos in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Boca Juniors will play on the road against Bahia Basket (#9) in Bahia Blanca and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Instituto: J.G 20+5reb+2ast, M.Cuello 18+5reb+3ast, S.Scala 15+1reb+4ast, N.Romano 12+3reb+4ast, G.Whelan 8+3reb+7ast, P.Espinoza 7+9reb+3ast
Boca Jrs: A.Boccia 17+4reb, K.Washington 9+6reb, A.Konsztadt 9+5reb+4ast, F.Aguerre 8+1reb, B.Sansimoni 8+2reb+1ast, A.Facello 6+1reb

Regatas C. - Atenas 90-83

Very expected game when 17th ranked Atenas (7-11) was defeated on the road by ninth ranked Regatas Corrientes (10-8) 90-83 on Thursday. Regatas Corrientes looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American-Dominican guard Adonys Henriquez (198-94, college: St.Louis) stepped up and scored 14 points and 6 assists for the winners and the former international power forward Tayavek Gallizzi (206-93) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Regatas Corrientes' coach Lucas Victoriano allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Lee Moore (193-95, college: UTEP, agency: Mansfield and Associates) responded with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import center Horace Spencer (206-97, college: Auburn, agency: Interperformances) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Four Atenas players scored in double figures. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Regatas Corrientes. They moved-up to eighth place. Loser Atenas keeps the seventeenth position with 11 games lost. Regatas Corrientes will have a break next round. Atenas will play on the road against San Martin Corrientes (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Regatas C.: T.Gallizzi 15+5reb, A.Henriquez 14+1reb+6ast, A.Smith 11+1reb+2ast, M.Fernandez 10+3reb+1ast, F.Ramirez 9+7reb+1ast, J.Arengo 9+1ast
Atenas: H.Spencer 18+11reb, L.Moore 16+7reb+7ast, F.Baralle 14+1reb+4ast, M.Chiarini 12+2reb+3ast, E.Robinson 9+1reb+2ast, L.Arn 8+2reb

La Union - Regatas C. 70-89

Very predictable result in Formosa where ninth ranked Regatas Corrientes (10-8) smashed 14th ranked La Union (8-12) 89-70 on Monday. The former international power forward Tayavek Gallizzi (206-93) stepped up and scored 25 points for the winners and the former international forward Fabian Ramirez (200-90) chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. Regatas Corrientes' coach Lucas Victoriano allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international swingman Alexis Elsener (196-88, agency: Interperformances) responded with 16 points and 6 rebounds and American-Jamaican center Torin Francis (209-83, college: Notre Dame) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Regatas Corrientes and five La Union players scored in double figures. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Regatas Corrientes. They moved-up to eighth place. Loser La Union keeps the fourteenth position with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Regatas C.: T.Gallizzi 25+1reb+1ast, A.Smith 13+3reb+2ast, F.Ramirez 11+6reb+3ast, L.Vildoza 10+4reb+5ast, P.Quinteros 9+1reb+3ast, J.Saiz 7+4reb
La Union: A.Elsener 16+6reb+1ast, A.Young 10+4reb+3ast, J.Maldonado 10+2reb+5ast, T.Francis 10+6reb+1ast, L.Perez 10+2reb+2ast, F.Giorgi 6+1reb

Quimsa - Argentino 102-92

Not a big story in a game in Santiado del Estero where 13th ranked Argentino (9-12) was defeated by third ranked Quimsa (12-2) 102-92 on Monday. Quimsa made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Mauro Cosolito (195-88) stepped up and scored 19 points and 5 assists for the winners and American Brandon Robinson (198-89, college: Clayton St.) chipped in 20 points. Quimsa's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Naturalized American Jonathan Slider (192-87) responded with 27 points and American power forward Anthony Kent (208-83, college: Ball St.) scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Quimsa. They moved-up to second place. Loser Argentino dropped to the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Quimsa will face CA Platense (#16) in Florida in the next round which should be an easy win for them.
Top scorers:
QUIMSA: B.Robinson 20+3reb+2ast, J.Brussino 19+3ast, M.Cosolito 19+4reb+5ast, T.Miller 13+6reb+3ast, I.Gramajo 10, E.Ravenel 6+2reb
ARGENTINO: J.Slider 27+4reb+2ast, M.Federico 18+4reb+1ast, A.Kent 16+7reb+1ast, M.Gomez 10+2reb, J.Cangelosi 8+3reb+2ast, S.Uranga 5+5reb+1ast

Gimnasia - Olimpico LB 81-61

Everything went according to plan in Comodoro Rivadavia where fourth ranked Gimnasia (12-5) outscored 15th ranked Olimpico de La Banda (7-10) 81-61 on Tuesday. The former international forward Franco Giorgetti (204-92) stepped up and scored 19 points for the winners and the former international Sebastian Vega (200-88) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Nicolas De-los-Santos (180-88) responded with 13 points and 5 rebounds and American center Ricardo Glenn (203-90, college: USC Upstate) scored 7 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gimnasia maintains fourth place with 12-5 record. Loser Olimpico de La Banda keeps the fifteenth position with ten games lost. Gimnasia will have a break next round. Olimpico de La Banda will play on the road against Ferro (#7) in Buenos Aires and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Gimnasia: F.Giorgetti 19+3reb+1ast, D.Romero 12+8reb+2ast, S.Vega 12+5reb+5ast, J.Treise 9+3reb+2ast, R.Acuna 7+6reb, Y.Mensia 5+1reb
Olimpico LB: N.De los Santos 13+5reb+2ast, D.Tintorelli 12+1reb+2ast, T.Gaskins 10+6reb+1ast, R.Glenn 7+10reb, L.Ortiz 5+1reb+1ast, K.Guzman 5+6reb

Penarol - San Martin C. 95-102

The game in Mar del Plata was quite interesting. Fifth ranked San Martin Corrientes (11-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Penarol (9-11). San Martin Corrientes managed to secure a 7-point victory 102-95 on Wednesday. 24 personal fouls committed by Penarol helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Point guard Jonatan Machuca (181-89) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 assists for the winners and American JC Fuller (194-94, college: W.Illinois, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 24 points. San Martin Corrientes' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman LeBryan Nash (201-92, college: Oklahoma St.) responded with 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the other American import forward Tyler Harris (208-93, college: Auburn) scored 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Five San Martin Corrientes and four Penarol players scored in double figures. San Martin Corrientes have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory San Martin Corrientes went down to sixth position due to points difference. Penarol lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 11 games lost. San Martin Corrientes are looking forward to face Atenas (#17) in Cordoba in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Penarol will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San Martin C.: J.Fuller 24+3reb+1ast, J.Machuca 22+4reb+6ast, E.Basabe 13+3reb, I.Basualdo 12+7reb+1ast, M.Solanas 11+4reb+2ast, T.Zanzottera 9+2reb+2ast
Penarol: L.Nash 35+6reb+1ast, T.Harris 24+8reb+4ast, M.Johnson 16+1reb+3ast, P.Tabarez 11+4reb+2ast, J.Pablo Cantero 7+2reb+5ast, J.Valinotti 2+2reb+2ast

Platense - Instituto 58-74

There was no surprise in Florida where 16th ranked CA Platense (7-10) was defeated by seventh ranked Instituto (11-4) 74-58 on Wednesday. Instituto outrebounded CA Platense 47-35 including 39 on the defensive glass. The former international forward Pablo Espinoza (201-87) stepped up and scored 8 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Lucas Reyes (181-0) chipped in 8 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. American swingman Daniel Dingle (200-94, college: Temple) responded with 15 points and Marcos Saglietti (188-86) scored 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Instituto. They moved-up to fifth place. Loser CA Platense dropped to the fifteenth position with ten games lost. Instituto will face Hispano Am. (#18) in Rio Gallegos in the next round which should be an easy win for them. CA Platense will play on the road against the league's second-placed Quimsa in Santiado del Estero and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Instituto: S.Scala 12+1reb+1ast, J.G 10+4reb+2ast, G.Whelan 10+6reb+2ast, P.Espinoza 8+11reb+2ast, N.Romano 8+4reb, L.Reyes 8+5reb+6ast
Platense: D.Dingle 15+3reb, M.Saglietti 14+2reb+1ast, T.White 8+3reb, C.Federico 6+1reb+1ast, L.Goldenberg 6+5reb+2ast, A.Diez 4+2reb

Libertad S. - Argentino 67-70

Twentieth-ranked Libertad Sunchales (4-16) gave a tough game to thirteenth ranked Argentino (9-12). The visitors from Junin managed to secure only three-point victory 70-67. However their fans expected much easier game. Forward Federico Marini (197-93) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American power forward Anthony Kent (208-83, college: Ball St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Phil Fayne (206-97, college: Illinois St.) answered with 19 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and naturalized American power forward Phillip Lockett (202-88) added 8 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Libertad Sunchales. Libertad Sunchales' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Argentino moved-up to twelfth place. Libertad Sunchales lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Argentino: M.Federico 23+8reb+2ast, A.Kent 15+12reb+1ast, F.Zarate 10+3reb+1ast, J.Cangelosi 7+6reb, V.Burgos 5, M.Gomez 4
Libertad S.: P.Fayne 19+5reb, A.Alonso 15+1reb+1ast, J.Fernandez 8+4reb+1ast, D.Battle 8+6reb+1ast, P.Lockett 8+8reb+1ast, J.Manuel Torres 4+2reb

Estudiantes C. - Obras 66-63

A very close game took place in Concordia between Estudiantes C. and Obras. Nineteenth ranked Estudiantes C. (6-17) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Obras (8-10). Estudiantes C. managed to escape with a 3-point win 66-63 on Wednesday evening. Estudiantes C. forced 20 Obras turnovers. The best player for the winners was Eduardo Gamboa (189-84) who scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Naturalized Dominican forward Xavier Carreras (198-94) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. American power forward Raven Barber (206-91, college: Mt.St.Mary's, agency: HMS) produced 14 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-97, agency: Duran International) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Obras' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Estudiantes C. maintains nineteenth place with 6-17 record. Loser Obras dropped to the thirteenth position with ten games lost. Estudiantes C. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Obras will play against the league's leader Comunicaciones (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Estudiantes C.: E.Gamboa 17+5reb+7ast, X.Carreras 15+5reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 9+3reb+1ast, G.Torres 8+2reb+1ast, J.Nzeakor 6+4reb, C.Lufile 6+10reb
Obras: R.Barber 14+6reb+2ast, F.Zurbriggen 13+5reb+3ast, J.Montero 9+2reb, A.Zurbriggen 8+4reb, P.Barral 6+5reb+2ast, L.Valussi 4+5reb

Boca Jrs - Olimpico LB 71-66

No shocking result in a game in Buenos Aires where tenth ranked Boca Juniors (9-10) won against 15th ranked Olimpico de La Banda (7-10) 71-66 on Thursday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Boca Juniors outrebounded Olimpico de La Banda 37-25 including 28 on the defensive glass. The former international forward Federico Aguerre (203-88) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and the former international swingman Adrian Boccia (195-82) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. The former international point guard Nicolas De-los-Santos (180-88) responded with 12 points and Cuban Karel Guzman (188-95) scored 12 points. Boca Juniors maintains tenth place with 9-10 record. Loser Olimpico de La Banda keeps the fifteenth position with ten games lost. Boca Juniors will face higher ranked Bahia Basket (#9) in Bahia Blanca in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Olimpico de La Banda will play on the road against Ferro (#7) in Buenos Aires and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Boca Jrs: F.Aguerre 24+12reb+1ast, A.Boccia 14+6reb+3ast, L.Gargallo 9+4reb+3ast, E.Flor 8+2reb+2ast, M.Sandes 6+1reb+4ast, K.Washington 4+2reb+2ast
Olimpico LB: N.De los Santos 12+3reb+3ast, K.Guzman 12+2reb+1ast, R.Glenn 10+3reb, T.Gaskins 9+3reb+2ast, D.Tintorelli 8+4reb+1ast, R.Gallegos 5+5reb+3ast



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