La Liga Round 18 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Quimsa wins another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

La Liga top team - Quimsa (14-1) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat seventeenth ranked Comunicaciones (5-13) in Mercedes 96-89. Quimsa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Comunicaciones' players. It was a good game for American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 7 assists. Swingman Emiliano Basabe (195-1992) contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) replied with 28 points for Comunicaciones. Quimsa have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-1 record. Comunicaciones at the other side keeps the seventeenth place with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Sixteenth-ranked Penarol (5-11) was very close to win a game against fourth ranked Platense (12-5) in Florida. Platense managed to secure only one-point victory 87-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Penarol. Point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) scored 19 points, 5 assists and 5 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Eric Flor chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international Tomas Monacchi (198-1997) with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Platense maintains fourth position with 12-5 record. Penarol at the other side keeps the sixteenth place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Platense (12-5) and Ferro (7-10), which took place in Florida. Higher ranked Platense lost at home to thirteenth ranked Ferro 72-80 on Sunday. Tomas Spano notched 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even 18 points by Juan Corbalan did not help to save the game for Platense. Ferro have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Ferro went down to fourteenth position due to points difference. Loser Platense keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Ferro will meet at home higher ranked Riachuelo (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Platense will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: San Martin was beaten by Boca on the road 86-71. La Union won against Union on its own court 81-64. San Martin managed to outperform Obras in Corrientes 92-83. Obera rolled over Union at home 85-64. Penarol defeated Zarate on the opponent's court 84-77. Regatas beat Independ.O. in a home game 75-67. Instituto destroyed Zarate on the road 92-69.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 26 points and 8 rebounds by Agustin Brocal of Zarate.



Boca - San Martin 86-71

Everything could happen in Buenos Aires at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Boca and 11th ranked San Martin had identical 9-7 record. This time Boca used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Corrientes 86-71 on Saturday night. Boca looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international Marcos Mata (202-1986) notched 16 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and American forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) supported him with 20 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Boca players scored in double figures. Even 25 points and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) by point guard Gaston Garcia (187-1998) did not help to save the game for San Martin. Rolando Vallejos (195-2000) added 19 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Boca maintains sixth position with 10-7 record, which they share with Regatas. Loser San Martin dropped to the eighth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
San Martin: G.Garcia 25+3reb, V.Rolando 19+7reb+1ast, C.Buendia 8+2reb+1ast, B.Nicolas 6+1reb+1ast, M.Franco 6+7reb+3ast, C.Bryan 4+7reb+1ast
Boca: W.Langston 20+3reb, M.Mata 16+7reb+1ast, J.Vildoza 15+4reb+4ast, L.Mainoldi 11+1reb+3ast, L.Schattmann 9+1reb+4ast, J.Defelippo 7+4reb+3ast

La Union - Union SF 81-64

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 19th ranked Union's (3-14) road loss to eighteenth ranked La Union (4-10) in Formosa 64-81 on Saturday. Point guard Luciano Guerra (184-1997) notched 12 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) supported him with 12 points. Four La Union players scored in double figures. Even 14 points by American forward Justin Martin (198-1990, college: SMU) did not help to save the game for Union. Center Ignacio Alessio (203-1987) added 9 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. La Union maintains eighteenth position with 4-10 record. Union lost third consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth place with 14 games lost. La Union will meet bottom-ranked Argentino (#20) in the next round. Union will play against Independ.O. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Union SF: J.Martin 14+4reb+1ast, M.Butler 11+1reb+3ast, I.Alessio 9+6reb+1ast, J.Sandrini 7+3reb+1ast, D.Hure 6+3reb+1ast, D.Valentin 5+4reb
La Union: A.Lillard 14+1reb+1ast, M.Saglietti 13+2reb, M.Fernandez 12+4reb+2ast, L.Guerra 12+5reb+3ast, A.Gonzalo 10+1reb, C.Cardo 9+2reb

Platense - Ferro 72-80

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Platense (12-5) and Ferro (7-10), which took place in Florida. Higher ranked Platense lost at home to thirteenth ranked Ferro 72-80 on Sunday. Point guard Tomas Spano (183-1998) notched 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and naturalized Italian center Damian Tintorelli (205-1981) supported him with 19 points. Four Ferro players scored in double figures. Even 18 points by point guard Juan Corbalan (185-1998) did not help to save the game for Platense. Point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) added 12 points. Ferro have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Ferro went down to fourteenth position due to points difference. Loser Platense keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Ferro will meet at home higher ranked Riachuelo (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Platense will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Platense: J.Corbalan 18+4reb+2ast, S.Morales 12+6reb, F.Vazquez 12+4reb+3ast, I.Pedro 9+6reb, Q.Thomas 8+5reb, E.Flor 6+5reb+2ast
Ferro: D.Tintorelli 19+3reb, M.Fierro 16+3reb+1ast, T.Spano 16+8reb+6ast, L.Emiliano 13+2reb+4ast, V.Bettiga 9+6reb+2ast, C.Juan 5+1reb+2ast

Obras - San Martin 83-92

There was a small surprise when eleventh ranked San Martin (9-8) won against 8th ranked Obras (8-6) in Buenos Aires 92-83 on Monday. San Martin dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Obras' 36. Naturalized Italian Vicente Garello (203-1997, agency: BIG) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and Franco Mendez (188-2002) supported him with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) by the former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) did not help to save the game for Obras. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (190-1995, college: N.Colorado, agency: Helping Ballers) added 21 points. Five San Martin and four Obras players scored in double figures. Obras' coach Peter Dominguez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Martin moved-up to eighth place. Loser Obras dropped to the tenth position with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Obras: A.Spight 21+1reb+2ast, P.Barral 19+3reb+2ast, J.Solarin 14+8reb, L.Cerminato 11+5reb+1ast, I.Felipe 11+1reb, S.Franco 4+6reb+2ast
San Martin: V.Garello 20+10reb+2ast, C.Buendia 20+1reb+4ast, M.Franco 19+5reb+5ast, G.Garcia 14+8reb+1ast, C.Bryan 10+6reb, B.Nicolas 5+4reb

Obera - Union SF 85-64

Not a big story in a game when 19th ranked Union (3-14) was outscored on the road by twelfth ranked Obera (8-7) 85-64 on Monday. Obera outrebounded Union 44-30 including 33 on the defensive glass. The former international Agustin Barreiro (205-1999) notched 20 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and Venezuelan forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996, agency: Pro Sports) supported him with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Four Obera players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 5 rebounds by center Ignacio Alessio (203-1987) did not help to save the game for Union. American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) added 8 points 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. Obera moved-up to eleventh place. Union lost third consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 14 games lost. Obera will meet at home higher ranked Gimnasia (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Union will play against Independ.O. (#15) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Union SF: I.Alessio 19+5reb, M.Gomez 9+3reb, M.Butler 8+2reb+4ast, D.Valentin 6+3reb, B.Pedro 6+4reb, M.Gomez 5+2reb
Obera: A.Barreiro 20+7reb, F.Enzo 16+6reb, J.Ascanio 13+11reb+1ast, J.Torresi 12+5reb+2ast, J.Laterza 8+5reb+7ast, Q.Nicolas 7+2reb+1ast

Zarate - Penarol 77-84

There was a surprise result when sixteenth ranked Penarol (5-11) defeated on the road higher ranked Zarate (8-9) 84-77 on Tuesday. American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) notched 22 points to lead the effort and point guard Joaquin Valinotti (185-1998) supported him with 19 points. Four Penarol players scored in double figures. Even 31 points and 8 rebounds by Agustin Brocal (191-1997) did not help to save the game for Zarate. Point guard Lucas Andujar (185-1996) added 10 points and 5 assists. Zarate's coach Juan Anglese rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Penarol have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixteenth position with 5-11 record. Zarate lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the twelfth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Zarate: A.Brocal 31+8reb+1ast, G.Camilo 10+5reb, L.Andujar 10+3reb+5ast, D.Pineda 9+7reb, J.Aprea 6+5reb+2ast, S.Chaine 6+3reb
Penarol: A.Thornton 22+4reb, J.Valinotti 19+3reb+3ast, J.Morales 14+3reb, T.Monacchi 13+2reb, K.Barlow 9+2reb, R.Whitfield 4+5reb+3ast

Regatas - Independ.O. 75-67

There was no surprise when 15th ranked Independ.O. (7-11) lost to seventh ranked Regatas (10-7) in Corrientes 67-75 on Wednesday. Guard Franco Vieta (194-1992) notched 15 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and forward Alejandro Diez (201-1987) supported him with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Four Regatas players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Augusto Alonso (187-1998, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Independ.O.. Guard Agustin Pautasso (192-1997) added 11 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Regatas moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Boca. Independ.O. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fifteenth position with 11 games lost. Regatas will meet at home Gimnasia (#9) in the next round. Independ.O. will play against Union (#19) in Santa Fe and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Independ.O.: A.Alonso 15+5reb, A.Pautasso 11+7reb+1ast, P.Ezequiel 11+2reb, J.Banegas 8+3reb+3ast, M.Nicolas 5+4reb+1ast, S.Giletto 5+6reb+2ast
Regatas: F.Vieta 15+2reb+4ast, C.Thomas 11+3reb, F.Elias 11+2reb+2ast, A.Jaime 10+1reb+3ast, A.Diez 10+8reb+1ast, X.Carreras 9+8reb

Platense - Penarol 87-86

Sixteenth-ranked Penarol (5-11) was very close to win a game against fourth ranked Platense (12-5) in Florida. Platense managed to secure only one-point victory 87-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Penarol. Point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) scored 19 points, 5 assists and 5 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the former international Eric Flor (190-1993) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international Tomas Monacchi (198-1997) with 15 points and 6 rebounds and American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) scored 17 points. Four Platense and five Penarol players scored in double figures. Platense maintains fourth position with 12-5 record. Penarol at the other side keeps the sixteenth place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Penarol: J.Morales 17+3reb, A.Thornton 17+3reb, T.Monacchi 15+6reb, J.Valinotti 11+3reb+4ast, K.Barlow 10+4reb+4ast, D.Simpson 8+3reb+1ast
Platense: F.Vazquez 19+3reb+5ast, E.Flor 16+5reb+6ast, J.Corbalan 15+1reb, I.Pedro 14+6reb, Q.Thomas 10+3reb+2ast, S.Barrales 8+8reb+1ast

Comunicaciones - Quimsa 89-96

La Liga top team - Quimsa (14-1) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat seventeenth ranked Comunicaciones (5-13) in Mercedes 96-89. Quimsa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Comunicaciones' players. It was a good game for American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 7 assists. Swingman Emiliano Basabe (195-1992) contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) replied with 28 points and forward Rodrigo Sanchez (200-1989) added 18 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Comunicaciones. Five Quimsa and four Comunicaciones players scored in double figures. Quimsa have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-1 record. Comunicaciones at the other side keeps the seventeenth place with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Comunicaciones: M.Thomas 28+4reb+1ast, K.DeShields 21+3reb+3ast, R.Sanchez 18+8reb+2ast, J.Strings 13+2reb, F.Giorgi 6+3reb+1ast, D.Garcia 3+4ast
Quimsa: B.Robinson 17+1reb+7ast, R.Fortunato 15+5ast, E.Basabe 15+5reb+3ast, B.Sansimoni 11+3reb+6ast, T.Gallizzi 10+7reb+2ast, S.Acevedo 8+2reb

Zarate - Instituto 69-92

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Instituto (12-4) crushed on the road 12th ranked Zarate (8-9) 92-69 on Thursday. Instituto made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Guard Nicolas Copello (193-1992) notched 17 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and American forward Nathan Hoover (193-1997, college: Wofford) supported him with 19 points. Four Instituto players scored in double figures. Instituto's coach Lucas Victoriano felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 26 points and 8 rebounds by Agustin Brocal (191-1997) did not help to save the game for Zarate. Swingman Damian Pineda (194-1988) added 18 points. Instituto have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-4 record having just one point less than leader Quimsa. Zarate lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the twelfth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Zarate: A.Brocal 26+8reb, D.Pineda 18+3reb, G.Camilo 10+2reb+1ast, J.Aprea 6+7reb+1ast, S.Chaine 4+2reb, P.Facundo 3+2ast
Instituto: N.Hoover 19+1reb+1ast, N.Copello 17+6reb, B.Lugarini 15+2reb+2ast, P.Nicola 10+5reb, J.Saiz 7+1reb+1ast, R.Acuna 6+7reb