La Liga Round 36 (Regular Season): Instituto keep a leadership position

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Instituto as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Instituto edged 16th ranked Ferro in Cordoba 80-78. It was a good game for the former international forward Bautista Lugarini (203-2001) who led his team to a victory with 17 points. The former international Mauro Cosolito (192-1988) contributed with 9 points and 9 assists for the winners. point guard Emiliano Lezcano (187-2001) replied with 16 points and 6 assists for Ferro. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Instituto have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Ferro at the other side keeps the sixteenth place with 19 games lost. Ferro will play next round against strong Quimsa trying to get back on the winning streak. Instituto will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Regatas in Corrientes.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Olimpico (21-9) against twelfth ranked Regatas (15-17) on Saturday night. Host Olimpico was defeated by Regatas in a tough game in La Banda 67-73. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and Facundo Pinero who added 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Olimpico's coach Leonardo Gutierrez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Regatas have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eleventh place. Olimpico lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with nine games lost. Regatas will play against league's leader Instituto in Cordoba in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Olimpico will play at home against La Union and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between fifth ranked San Lorenzo (19-10) and 6th ranked San Martin (19-13) in Almagro on Friday ended with biggest points difference. San Lorenzo beat guests from Corrientes 87-76. The winners were led by Federico Grun who scored that evening 23 points. Even 12 points and 4 assists by Gaston Garcia did not help to save the game for San Martin. San Martin's coach Gabriel Revidatti tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. San Lorenzo have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Platense. Loser San Martin keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. San Lorenzo will meet at home bottom-ranked Union (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. San Martin will play against Obera (#10) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 36: Instituto beat Independ.O. on the road 93-87. Argentino lost to Obera on its own court 73-78. San Martin managed to outperform Penarol in Corrientes 76-69. Independ.O. recorded a loss to Regatas at home 70-78. Union was defeated by Obras on the opponent's court 97-90.
The most impressive performance of 36th round was 22 points and 11 rebounds by Dominique Morrison of Union SF.



San Lorenzo - San Martin 87-76

The game between fifth ranked San Lorenzo (19-10) and 6th ranked San Martin (19-13) in Almagro on Friday ended with biggest points difference. San Lorenzo beat guests from Corrientes 87-76. The winners were led by swingman Federico Grun (191-1996) who scored that evening 23 points and the former international center Ivan Basualdo (203-1990) supported him with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Four San Lorenzo players scored in double figures. Even 12 points and 4 assists by point guard Gaston Garcia (187-1998) did not help to save the game for San Martin. Swingman Lucas Gargallo (196-1995) added 16 points. San Martin's coach Gabriel Revidatti tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. San Lorenzo have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Platense. Loser San Martin keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. San Lorenzo will meet at home bottom-ranked Union (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. San Martin will play against Obera (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San Lorenzo: F.Grun 23+4reb+3ast, F.Marin 16+7reb+2ast, I.Basualdo 14+9reb+6ast, G.Cordoba 10+3reb, E.Dupuy 7+1ast, K.Hernandez 7+1reb
San Martin: L.Gargallo 16+3reb, G.Garcia 12+3reb+4ast, C.Bryan 9+4reb, V.Garello 9+4reb, A.Perez 8+2reb+3ast, V.Rolando 7+5reb

Independ.O. - Instituto 87-93

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Instituto (24-9) beat 14th ranked Independ.O. (12-19) in Olivia 93-87 on Friday. Instituto made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game. The winners were led by the former international forward Bautista Lugarini (203-2001) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) and American forward Nathan Hoover (193-1997, college: Wofford) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists by swingman Joaquin Noblega (194-1997) did not help to save the game for Independ.O.. Guard Agustin Pautasso (192-1997) added 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Instituto and four Independ.O. players scored in double figures. Independ.O.'s coach Martin Gonzalez let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Instituto have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Independ.O. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fifteenth place with 19 games lost. Instituto will meet Regatas (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Independ.O. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Instituto: B.Lugarini 20+11reb+1ast, J.Saiz 18+4reb+1ast, N.Hoover 17+5reb+1ast, M.Cosolito 10+3reb+5ast, N.Copello 10+4reb+1ast, M.Fausto 8+2reb+1ast
Independ.O.: A.Pautasso 15+6reb+2ast, F.Barroso 14+6reb, J.Noblega 14+7reb+10ast, S.Giletto 13+6reb+3ast, M.Nicolas 11+1ast, N.Tomas 8+7reb

Olimpico - Regatas 67-73

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Olimpico (21-9) against twelfth ranked Regatas (15-17) on Saturday night. Host Olimpico was defeated by Regatas in a tough game in La Banda 67-73. Regatas outrebounded Olimpico 43-24 including a 35-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and the former international forward Facundo Pinero (202-1988) who added 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) with 17 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Nicolas Romano (200-1987) scored 14 points. Olimpico's coach Leonardo Gutierrez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Regatas have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eleventh place. Olimpico lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with nine games lost. Regatas will play against league's leader Instituto in Cordoba in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Olimpico will play at home against La Union and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Regatas: C.Thomas 18+10reb+1ast, F.Pinero 15+6reb, F.Elias 11+2reb+1ast, F.Vieta 9+7reb, A.Jaime 7+8reb+6ast, S.Safar 5+5reb
Olimpico: N.Alex 17+5reb, N.Romano 14+1reb+1ast, J.Machuca 8+1reb, T.Zanzottera 7+2reb+3ast, P.Santiago 6+1reb, M.Hughes 5+2reb+1ast

Argentino - Obera 73-78

Very expected game when 19th ranked Argentino (8-23) lost to tenth ranked Obera (16-15) in Junin 73-78 on Saturday. Obera outrebounded Argentino 48-28 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and the former international Agustin Barreiro (205-1999) supported him with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 16 points by American point guard Manny Payton (183-1997, college: FSU) did not help to save the game for Argentino. His fellow American import forward Richard Granberry (203-1993, college: Virginia St.) added 14 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Obera maintains tenth position with 16-15 record. Argentino lost third consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Union. Obera will meet at home higher ranked San Martin (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Argentino will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Obera: J.Laterza 26+10reb+5ast, A.Barreiro 12+9reb+4ast, J.Ascanio 11+10reb+1ast, J.Stormo 9+8reb, J.Torresi 8+4reb+5ast, F.Enzo 7+3reb
Argentino: M.Payton 16+4reb+2ast, R.Granberry 14+7reb, M.Poole 13+3reb+1ast, J.Slider 8+6reb+1ast, G.Aliende 6+3reb+6ast, A.Facello 6+1reb+2ast

Penarol - San Martin 69-76

Very predictable result when sixth ranked San Martin (19-13) won against 14th ranked Penarol (12-18) in Mar del Plata 76-69 on Sunday. The winners were led by Ecuadorian center Bryan Carabali (214-1999) who scored that evening 14 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Carlos Buendia (177-1995) supported him with 16 points. Even 10 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Diamon Simpson (204-1987, college: SMC) did not help to save the game for Penarol. The former international Tomas Monacchi (198-1997) added 17 points. Four San Martin and five Penarol players scored in double figures. San Martin maintains sixth position with 19-13 record. Loser Penarol keeps the fourteenth place with 18 games lost. San Martin will meet Obera (#10) on the road in the next round. Penarol will play against Platense (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San Martin: C.Buendia 16+2reb+1ast, C.Bryan 14+7reb, L.Gargallo 10+3reb+6ast, V.Garello 10+5reb, V.Rolando 8+3reb, A.Perez 7+6reb+1ast
Penarol: T.Monacchi 17+3reb+1ast, J.Valinotti 13+5reb+3ast, V.Fernandez 12+5reb+3ast, A.Thornton 10+3reb+5ast, D.Simpson 10+8reb+3ast, T.Facundo 5+2reb

Instituto - Ferro 80-78

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Instituto as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Instituto edged 16th ranked Ferro in Cordoba 80-78. It was a good game for the former international forward Bautista Lugarini (203-2001) who led his team to a victory with 17 points. The former international Mauro Cosolito (192-1988) contributed with 9 points and 9 assists for the winners. Four Instituto players scored in double figures. Point guard Emiliano Lezcano (187-2001) replied with 16 points and 6 assists and naturalized Italian center Damian Tintorelli (205-1981) added 11 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Ferro. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Instituto have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Ferro at the other side keeps the sixteenth place with 19 games lost. Ferro will play next round against strong Quimsa trying to get back on the winning streak. Instituto will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Regatas in Corrientes.
Top scorers:
Instituto: B.Lugarini 17+3reb+2ast, N.Hoover 12+3reb, N.Copello 11+2reb+1ast, J.Saiz 10+5reb, M.Cosolito 9+3reb+9ast, L.Vildoza 8+2ast
Ferro: L.Emiliano 16+3reb+6ast, M.Fierro 13+3reb, D.Tintorelli 11+7reb+1ast, C.Juan 8+1reb, R.Felipe 8+1reb, T.Spano 7+1reb+5ast

Independ.O. - Regatas 70-78

Not a big story in a game when 14th ranked Independ.O. (12-19) lost to twelfth ranked Regatas (15-17) in Olivia 70-78 on Monday. Regatas made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds and naturalized Italian Federico Elias (190-1999) supported him with 17 points. Even 15 points and 6 rebounds by swingman Joaquin Noblega (194-1997) did not help to save the game for Independ.O.. Point guard Ezequiel Paz (190-2001, agency: Interperformances) added 14 points. Four Independ.O. players scored in double figures. Independ.O.'s coach Martin Gonzalez let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Regatas have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eleventh place. Independ.O. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fifteenth position with 19 games lost. Regatas will meet at home league's leader Instituto in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Independ.O. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Regatas: C.Thomas 17+15reb+2ast, F.Elias 17+4reb+1ast, T.Franchela 10+3reb+1ast, L.Juan 9+3reb, F.Vieta 9+5reb, A.Diez 7+6reb+1ast
Independ.O.: J.Noblega 15+6reb+2ast, P.Ezequiel 14+2reb, J.Banegas 12+2reb, S.Giletto 10+1reb, M.Nicolas 6+1reb, N.Tomas 4+5reb

Obras - Union SF 97-90

Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked Obras (18-11) defeated bottom-ranked Union (8-23) in Buenos Aires 97-90 on Tuesday. The winners were led by Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) who scored that evening 28 points and 4 assists and the former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) supported him with 22 points and 5 assists. Four Obras players scored in double figures. Even 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds by center Ignacio Alessio (203-1987) did not help to save the game for Union. American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) added 22 points and 11 rebounds. Union SF's coach Maximiliano Seigorman let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Obras have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 18-11 record. Loser Union SF dropped to the bottom place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Argentino. Obras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Union will play against Boca (#9) in Buenos Aires and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Obras: A.Spight 28+2reb+4ast, P.Barral 22+2reb+5ast, J.Solarin 20+3reb, S.Franco 16+6reb, V.Juan 4+2reb+4ast, R.Andela 3+7reb
Union SF: I.Alessio 33+6reb+1ast, D.Morrison 22+11reb+3ast, D.Hure 8+2reb+4ast, M.Butler 8+2reb+2ast, J.Sandrini 8+4reb+3ast, B.Pedro 4+1reb