La Liga Round 7 (Regular Season): Argentino record their first victory

After 7 rounds played we can already see who rules in the La Liga and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Argentino has finally registered their first victory this season after six consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Penarol (1-4) 81-66 on Saturday. Argentino outrebounded Penarol 42-28 including 35 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American point guard Manny Payton (183-1997, college: FSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 5 rebounds. point guard Agustin Facello (183-1999) helped adding 15 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Penarol's coach Mariano Rodriguez rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Argentino maintains twentieth place with 1-6 record. It was Penarol's third loss in a row. They keep the eighteenth position with four games lost. Argentino are looking forward to face higher ranked Platense (#5) in Florida in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Penarol will play on the road against San Lorenzo (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
The game in Mercedes was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked San Lorenzo (5-1) played at the court of 8th ranked Comunicaciones (4-3). San Lorenzo defeated Comunicaciones 77-64. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Comunicaciones. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Kevin Hernandez (205-1991) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Lucas Perez accounted for 12 points and 4 assists. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds for Comunicaciones in the defeat. Comunicaciones' coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Lorenzo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Quimsa and Olimpico. Comunicaciones at the other side dropped to the ninth place with three games lost. San Lorenzo will play against Independ.O. (#15) in Olivia in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Comunicaciones will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Mercedes between Comunicaciones and La Union. Eighth ranked Comunicaciones (4-3) got a very close home victory over 16th ranked La Union (2-5). Comunicaciones managed to escape with a 1-point win 76-75 on Sunday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Keron DeShields fired a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Martin Fernandez produced 14 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Despite that victory Comunicaciones went down to ninth position due to points difference. La Union lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth place with five games lost. They share the position with Zarate. Comunicaciones will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. La Union will play against San Martin (#13) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 7: Independ.O. was destroyed by Riachuelo LR on the opponent's court 79-50. Ferro lost to defending champion Quimsa in a home game 64-74. San Lorenzo managed to beat San Martin on the road 66-64. Instituto was defeated by Obras on its own court 88-94. Quimsa beat Gimnasia in Santiado del Estero 93-89. Union SF lost to Obras at home 91-98. Zarate unfortunately lost to Platense on the opponent's court 67-79. Instituto managed to beat Independ.O. in a home game 84-66.



Comunicaciones - La Union 76-75

A very close game took place in Mercedes between Comunicaciones and La Union. Eighth ranked Comunicaciones (4-3) got a very close home victory over 16th ranked La Union (2-5). Comunicaciones managed to escape with a 1-point win 76-75 on Sunday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. American point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Diamond Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. His fellow American import guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) chipped in 21 points and 4 assists. Five Comunicaciones players scored in double figures. The former international swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) produced 14 points and 9 rebounds and American-Haitian forward Wes Alcegaire (198-1994, college: BGSU) added 19 points respectively for lost side. Despite that victory Comunicaciones went down to ninth position due to points difference. La Union lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth place with five games lost. They share the position with Zarate. Comunicaciones will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. La Union will play against San Martin (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Comunicaciones: M.Thomas 21+1reb+4ast, E.Maxwell 13+8reb, K.DeShields 12+12reb+4ast, F.Giorgi 11+5reb+1ast, J.Strings 10+3reb, A.Montes 6+1reb+3ast
La Union: W.Alcegaire 19+2reb+1ast, M.Fernandez 14+9reb, L.Guerra 11+6reb+3ast, M.Eidintas 9+2reb+3ast, R.Rattero 7+1reb, C.Cardo 5+2reb

Riachuelo LR - Independ.O. 79-50

There was an upset in La Rioja where higher ranked Independ.O. (2-4) was crushed by eighteenth ranked Riachuelo LR (2-3) 79-50 on Tuesday. Riachuelo LR outrebounded Independ.O. 47-36 including a 40-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. Valentin Forestier (194-2003) fired 10 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American Anthony Young (200-1989, college: KWC) chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds. Salvador Giletto (195-1993) produced 12 points and center Franco Barroso (207-1994) added 10 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Riachuelo LR moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with San Martin. Newly promoted Independ.O. keeps the fourteenth position with four games lost. They share it with Ferro. Riachuelo LR will meet higher ranked Obras (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Independ.O. will play against San Lorenzo (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Riachuelo LR: A.Young 13+5reb+1ast, V.Fernandez 11+2reb+1ast, A.Ibarguen 11+5reb+2ast, F.Valentin 10+8reb+2ast, S.Maxwell 9+9reb, S.Arese 8+6reb+3ast
Independ.O.: S.Giletto 12+2reb, F.Barroso 10+4reb, C.Scaramuzzino 6+7reb, M.Nicolas 5+2reb+1ast, J.Banegas 5+1reb, A.Pautasso 4+5reb+1ast

Ferro - Quimsa 64-74

Very predictable result in Buenos Aires where third ranked Quimsa (5-1) defeated 14th ranked Ferro (2-4) 74-64 on Wednesday. Quimsa dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Ferro's 28. American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) fired 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Juan Brussino (185-1991) chipped in 9 points and 6 assists. Forward Mariano Fierro (200-1986) produced 24 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Tomas Spano (183-1998) added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Olimpico and San Lorenzo. Loser Ferro keeps the fourteenth place with four games lost. They share the position with Independ.O.. Quimsa will meet at home Obera (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Ferro will play against Penarol (#18) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Quimsa: B.Robinson 25+5reb+3ast, E.Vasirani 11+4reb+1ast, J.Brussino 9+3reb+6ast, E.Basabe 7+3reb+2ast, F.Zezular 6+4reb, T.Gallizzi 5+5reb+1ast
Ferro: M.Fierro 24+9reb+1ast, L.Emiliano 12+1reb+2ast, T.Spano 8+7reb+2ast, L.Mare 6+4reb, V.Bettiga 5+5reb+6ast, D.Tintorelli 3+7reb

San Martin - San Lorenzo 64-66

Not a big story in a game in Corrientes where 12th ranked San Martin (2-3) was edged by fourth ranked San Lorenzo (5-1) 66-64 on Wednesday. Point guard Lucas Perez (184-1987) fired 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. Swingman Federico Grun (191-1996) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Point guard Carlos Buendia (177-1995) produced 19 points and Ecuadorian center Bryan Carabali (214-1999) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) respectively for lost side. San Lorenzo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Quimsa and Olimpico. Loser San Martin keeps the twelfth place with three games lost. They share the position with Riachuelo LR. San Lorenzo will meet at home Independ.O. (#15) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. San Martin will play against La Union in Formosa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San Lorenzo: L.Perez 16+2reb+4ast, F.Grun 14+7reb, I.Basualdo 11+5reb+2ast, C.Francisco 7+1reb+1ast, K.Hernandez 6+2reb, S.Lugo 5+6reb+3ast
San Martin: C.Buendia 19+3reb+1ast, C.Bryan 14+5reb+2ast, L.Gargallo 13+3reb+1ast, V.Rolando 9+4reb, M.Franco 6+2reb+2ast, A.Perez 3+2reb

Instituto - Obras 88-94

Everything went according to plan in Cordoba where ninth ranked Obras (4-1) beat 12th ranked Instituto (3-3) 94-88 on Thursday. Obras looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (190-1995, college: N.Colorado, agency: Helping Ballers) fired 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) chipped in 13 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. The former international Javier Saiz (206-1994) produced 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Bryan Jefferson (201-1994, college: Mary) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Obras and four Instituto players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Obras have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Instituto dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. Obras will meet at home Riachuelo LR (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Instituto will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Obras: A.Spight 16+5reb+7ast, S.Franco 15+3reb+2ast, J.Solarin 15+7reb+1ast, P.Barral 13+6reb+9ast, I.Felipe 13+3reb+3ast, L.Cerminato 11+12reb+1ast
Instituto: N.Hoover 20+3reb+2ast, B.Jefferson 20+6reb+2ast, J.Saiz 20+9reb+4ast, L.Vildoza 14+9reb+4ast, M.Cosolito 5+5reb+5ast, F.Elias 5+2reb

Gimnasia - Quimsa 89-93

There was no surprise in Comodoro Rivadavia where 10th ranked Gimnasia (3-5) was defeated by third ranked Quimsa (5-1) 93-89 on Friday. Quimsa made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) fired 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Claudio Ramirez (200-1990) chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) produced 22 points and 4 assists and the other American import center Vaughn De (205-1988, college: Stillman) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Quimsa and five Gimnasia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Olimpico and San Lorenzo. Gimnasia lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with five games lost. Quimsa will meet at home Obera (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Gimnasia will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Quimsa: B.Robinson 18+5reb, E.Basabe 13+1reb, J.Brussino 11+3reb+2ast, E.Vasirani 10+2reb, C.Ramirez 10+7reb+2ast, T.Gallizzi 9+2reb+1ast
Gimnasia: J.Webster 22+4reb+4ast, G.De Vaughn 16+7reb+2ast, B.Nazione 14+5reb+1ast, G.Mariani 12+4reb, C.Marcos 11+4reb+3ast, S.Norberto 5+1ast

Comunicaciones - San Lorenzo 64-77

The game in Mercedes was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked San Lorenzo (5-1) played at the court of 8th ranked Comunicaciones (4-3). San Lorenzo defeated Comunicaciones 77-64. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Comunicaciones. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Kevin Hernandez (205-1991) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Lucas Perez (184-1987) accounted for 12 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Four San Lorenzo players scored in double figures. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Comunicaciones in the defeat. Comunicaciones' coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Lorenzo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Quimsa and Olimpico. Comunicaciones at the other side dropped to the ninth place with three games lost. San Lorenzo will play against Independ.O. (#15) in Olivia in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Comunicaciones will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San Lorenzo: C.Francisco 12+1reb+2ast, K.Hernandez 12+10reb+2ast, L.Perez 12+2reb+4ast, I.Basualdo 12+5reb+1ast, G.Cordoba 9+3reb+1ast, S.Lugo 7+5reb
Comunicaciones: M.Thomas 22+5reb+1ast, J.Strings 10+8reb, K.DeShields 8+2reb+2ast, A.Montes 6+1reb+1ast, E.Maxwell 4+11reb+1ast, A.Santiago 3+2reb+1ast

Union SF - Obras 91-98

No shocking result in a game in Santa Fe where ninth ranked Obras (4-1) won against 19th ranked Union SF (1-5) 98-91 on Saturday. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (190-1995, college: N.Colorado, agency: Helping Ballers) fired 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Center Ignacio Alessio (203-1987) produced 24 points and Cuban center Pedro Bombino (206-2000, agency: Pro Sports) added 22 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Obras have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Union SF keeps the nineteenth position with five games lost. Obras will meet at home Riachuelo LR (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Union SF will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Obras: A.Spight 25+5reb+7ast, P.Barral 16+5reb+8ast, S.Franco 15+8reb, L.Cerminato 14+14reb, V.Juan 13+4reb+3ast, I.Felipe 13+1reb+1ast
Union SF: I.Alessio 24+4reb+2ast, B.Pedro 22+6reb+1ast, F.Pais 11+10reb+3ast, J.Sandrini 10+1reb+7ast, M.Gomez 10+1reb+4ast, T.Moore 4+9reb+1ast

Platense - Zarate 79-67

Very expected game in Florida where 15th ranked Zarate (2-5) was defeated by sixth ranked Platense (5-2) 79-67 on Saturday. Platense outrebounded Zarate 45-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. Australian center Matthew McCarthy (205-1996, college: USF) fired 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. The former international Eric Flor (190-1993) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. Agustin Brocal (191-1997) produced 12 points and 6 rebounds and center Sebastian Chaine (201-1986) added 11 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Platense moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Boca. Newly promoted Zarate dropped to the sixteenth position with five games lost. They share it with La Union. Platense will meet bottom-ranked Argentino (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Zarate will play against Independ.O. (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Platense: M.McCarthy 17+7reb, E.Flor 16+5reb+3ast, S.Morales 13+4reb+1ast, J.Corbalan 9+4reb, F.Vazquez 8+7reb+5ast, I.Pedro 6+8reb
Zarate: A.Brocal 12+6reb+1ast, S.Chaine 11+3reb+2ast, P.Emilio 8+5reb+1ast, G.Camilo 8+2reb+1ast, E.Rupcic 7+4reb, M.Perez 7+2reb

Instituto - Independ.O. 84-66

Everything could happen in Cordoba at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Instituto and 14th ranked Independ.O. had identical 2-3 record. This time Instituto used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Olivia 84-66 on Saturday night. Instituto made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. The former international forward Bautista Lugarini (203-2001) fired 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Uruguayan-Italian swingman Nicola Pomoli (195-1999) chipped in 14 points. Five Instituto players scored in double figures. Swingman Joaquin Noblega (194-1997) produced 12 points and 6 assists and Salvador Giletto (195-1993) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Instituto (3-3) moved-up to tenth place. Newly promoted Independ.O. keeps the fourteenth position with four games lost. They share it with Ferro. Instituto will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Independ.O. will play against San Lorenzo (#3) in Almagro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Instituto: B.Lugarini 18+7reb+3ast, J.Saiz 16+3reb+1ast, P.Nicola 14+4reb+3ast, L.Vildoza 12+3reb+2ast, N.Hoover 12+3reb+1ast, B.Jefferson 7+3reb
Independ.O.: S.Giletto 15+1reb+4ast, J.Noblega 12+4reb+6ast, J.Banegas 11+2reb+2ast, P.Ezequiel 7+2reb+1ast, A.Pautasso 7+7reb+3ast, F.Barroso 6+7reb

Argentino - Penarol 81-66

Argentino has finally registered their first victory this season after six consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Penarol (1-4) 81-66 on Saturday. Argentino outrebounded Penarol 42-28 including 35 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American point guard Manny Payton (183-1997, college: FSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 5 rebounds. Point guard Agustin Facello (183-1999) helped adding 15 points and 5 rebounds. Payton is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Argentino players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Joaquin Valinotti (185-1998) scored 16 points. Penarol's coach Mariano Rodriguez rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Argentino maintains twentieth place with 1-6 record. It was Penarol's third loss in a row. They keep the eighteenth position with four games lost. Argentino are looking forward to face higher ranked Platense (#5) in Florida in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Penarol will play on the road against San Lorenzo (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Argentino: M.Payton 24+5reb+2ast, A.Facello 15+5reb+2ast, G.Aliende 11+5reb+6ast, N.Gimenez 10+5reb, R.Granberry 8+6reb, J.Slider 7+8reb+2ast
Penarol: J.Valinotti 16+2reb+2ast, A.Thornton 15+7reb, F.Filippa 8+1ast, M.Lado 8+6reb, S.Octavio 6+4reb+1ast, J.Morales 5+2reb+1ast