La Liga Round 41 (Regular Season): San Martin edge Instituto by one point

The Regular Season in La Liga is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 41 in the La Liga took place in Cordoba. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Instituto (25-11) to seventh ranked San Martin (21-14) 71-70 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. San Martin made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Instituto helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was point guard Gaston Garcia (187-1998) who scored 21 points and 5 steals. Franco Mendez (188-2002) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Leandro Vildoza (180-1994) produced 4 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Instituto's coach Lucas Victoriano tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. San Martin moved-up to sixth place. Instituto at the other side keeps the second position with 11 games lost. San Martin are looking forward to face higher ranked Olimpico (#3) in La Banda in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Instituto will play at home against Union and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Buenos Aires. Eleventh ranked Regatas (17-19) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 9th ranked Boca (19-14) 78-76 on Thursday evening. Naturalized Italian Federico Elias (190-1999) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Charles Thomas contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 24 points for Boca. Boca's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Regatas maintains eleventh place with 17-19 record. Boca at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Regatas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Boca will play at home against Argentino (#18) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Nineteenth-ranked Comunicaciones (9-24) made lots of trouble for tenth ranked Obera (19-16) on Sunday. Obera managed to secure only three-point victory 80-77. However their fans expected much easier game. Juan Laterza stepped up and scored 10 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Rodrigo Sanchez responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Comunicaciones' coach gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Obera maintains tenth place with 19-16 record. Comunicaciones lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 24 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 41 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Penarol defeated Obras in Mar del Plata 98-89. Platense beat Riachuelo at home 87-79. Comunicaciones lost to La Union on the opponent's court 80-92. Gimnasia managed to outperform Riachuelo in a home game 78-68. Regatas was rolled over Platense on the road 86-60. San Lorenzo was defeated by Boca on its own court 74-79. Obras was beaten by Ferro in Buenos Aires 97-84.
The best stats of 41th round was 13 points and 5 rebounds by Juan Venegas of Obras.



Obras - Penarol 89-98

There was an upset in Buenos Aires where higher ranked Obras (20-13) was defeated by twelfth ranked Penarol (16-19) 98-89 on Wednesday. Penarol shot 62.1 percent from the field. Penarol outrebounded Obras 32-20 including 23 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Penarol especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 68.8 percentage. Point guard Joaquin Valinotti (185-1998) stepped up and scored 26 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) responded with 21 points and 4 assists and Chilean point guard Felipe Inyaco (192-2002) scored 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Penarol maintains twelfth place with 16-19 record. Loser Obras keeps the seventh position with 13 games lost. Penarol will meet at home Argentino (#18) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Obras will play against the league's leader Quimsa (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Penarol: J.Valinotti 26+5reb+3ast, A.Thornton 21+6reb+1ast, T.Monacchi 15+6reb+2ast, D.Simpson 10+10reb, V.Fernandez 9+2reb+7ast, J.Morales 5+1reb+1ast
Obras: P.Barral 21+2reb+4ast, I.Felipe 19, A.Spight 15+3ast, S.Franco 11+1reb+1ast, R.Andela 8+7reb, J.Solarin 8+5reb

Boca - Regatas 76-78

Important game to mention about took place in Buenos Aires. Eleventh ranked Regatas (17-19) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 9th ranked Boca (19-14) 78-76 on Thursday evening. Naturalized Italian Federico Elias (190-1999) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four Regatas players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 24 points and the former international Sebastian Vega (200-1988) added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Boca. Boca's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Regatas maintains eleventh place with 17-19 record. Boca at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Regatas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Boca will play at home against Argentino (#18) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Regatas: F.Elias 19+5reb+5ast, C.Thomas 18+10reb+1ast, T.Franchela 13+1reb, F.Vieta 11+3reb+2ast, A.Diez 11+9reb+2ast, A.Jaime 4+3reb+7ast
Boca: J.Vildoza 24+4reb, L.Schattmann 14+2reb+3ast, S.Vega 8+9reb+5ast, L.Mainoldi 7+3reb+1ast, J.Defelippo 7+3reb+3ast, G.Juan 6

Platense - Riachuelo LR 87-79

No shocking result in a game in Florida where sixth ranked Platense (21-12) defeated 13th ranked Riachuelo (14-22) 87-79 on Thursday. Platense made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. The former international Eric Flor (190-1993) stepped up and scored 25 points for the winners and American-Jamaican Quintrell Thomas (203-1990, college: UNLV) chipped in 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Naturalized Spanish guard Jonathan Maldonado (188-1990) responded with 20 points and Colombian forward Andres Ibarguen (200-1996, college: Angelo St., agency: Helping Ballers) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Riachuelo LR's coach Sebastian Gonzalez gave the chance to play for eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Platense moved-up to fourth place. Riachuelo lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Platense will meet at home league's leader Quimsa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Riachuelo will play against Union (#20) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Platense: E.Flor 25+1reb+1ast, F.Vazquez 16+2reb+1ast, J.Corbalan 16+4reb+1ast, Q.Thomas 15+6reb, S.Barrales 6+2reb+2ast, M.Mayora 4+6reb+2ast
Riachuelo LR: J.Maldonado 20+3reb+2ast, A.Ibarguen 17+6reb+1ast, A.Castillo 16+4reb+1ast, T.Rossi 10+5reb, F.Valentin 7+3reb+1ast, N.De los Santos 6+2reb+1ast

La Union - Comunicaciones 92-80

Rather expected game in Formosa where 19th ranked Comunicaciones (9-24) was defeated by seventeenth ranked La Union (12-23) 92-80 on Friday. American guard Antwon Lillard (198-1995, college: BGSU) stepped up and scored 24 points and 4 assists for the winners and point guard Luciano Guerra (184-1997) chipped in 22 points and 5 assists. Lillard is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the other American import forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) scored 14 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Comunicaciones' coach gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. La Union have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain seventeenth place with 12-23 record. Comunicaciones lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 24 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
La Union: A.Lillard 24+3reb+4ast, K.Alexander 22+8reb, L.Guerra 22+3reb+5ast, M.Fernandez 19+9reb+1ast, R.Rattero 3+2reb, A.Gonzalo 2+1reb+1ast
Comunicaciones: M.Thomas 22+5reb+3ast, K.DeShields 18+2reb+1ast, J.Strings 14+8reb, R.Sanchez 11+6reb+1ast, P.Marcos 7+3reb, F.Giorgi 4+5reb

Instituto - San Martin 70-71

The most exciting game of round 41 in the La Liga took place in Cordoba. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Instituto (25-11) to seventh ranked San Martin (21-14) 71-70 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. San Martin made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Instituto helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was point guard Gaston Garcia (187-1998) who scored 21 points and 5 steals. Franco Mendez (188-2002) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Five San Martin players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Leandro Vildoza (180-1994) produced 4 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international Javier Saiz (206-1994) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Instituto's coach Lucas Victoriano tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. San Martin moved-up to sixth place. Instituto at the other side keeps the second position with 11 games lost. San Martin are looking forward to face higher ranked Olimpico (#3) in La Banda in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Instituto will play at home against Union and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
San Martin: G.Garcia 21+4reb+2ast, M.Franco 13+5reb+5ast, C.Bryan 11+5reb, C.Buendia 10+1reb+3ast, L.Gargallo 10+6reb+3ast, A.Perez 4+5reb
Instituto: J.Saiz 12+5reb+1ast, N.Hoover 11+2reb, B.Lugarini 10+4reb+1ast, R.Acuna 9+5reb, M.Cosolito 9+3reb+3ast, N.Copello 7+7reb+3ast

Gimnasia - Riachuelo LR 78-68

Very predictable result in Comodoro Rivadavia where eighth ranked Gimnasia (19-13) beat 13th ranked Riachuelo (14-22) 78-68 on Saturday. Gimnasia outrebounded Riachuelo 42-24 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Colombian point guard Juan Cardenas (201-1997, college: Bryant) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and American center Gerard De Vaughn (205-1988, college: Stillman) chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. De Vaughn is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Gimnasia players scored in double figures. Gimnasia's coach Martin Villagran used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Colombian forward Andres Ibarguen (200-1996, college: Angelo St., agency: Helping Ballers) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) scored 12 points. Gimnasia maintains eighth place with 19-13 record. Riachuelo lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Gimnasia will meet Zarate (#15) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Riachuelo will play against Union and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gimnasia: J.Cardenas 20+12reb, G.Mariani 15+3reb, P.Gramajo 12+3ast, G.De Vaughn 10+6reb+2ast, T.White 9+1reb, T.Emiliano 5+6reb+5ast
Riachuelo LR: A.Ibarguen 16+5reb, A.Castillo 12+3reb, N.De los Santos 9+3reb+1ast, A.Franco 9+5reb, B.Jeremias 7+1reb, F.Valentin 7+2reb+1ast

Platense - Regatas 86-60

Not a big story in a game in Florida where 11th ranked Regatas (17-19) was outplayed by sixth ranked Platense (21-12) 86-60 on Saturday. Platense made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. Platense outrebounded Regatas 45-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Point guard Juan Corbalan (185-1998) stepped up and scored 25 points for the winners and the former international Eric Flor (190-1993) chipped in 19 points. Four Platense players scored in double figures. Naturalized Italian Federico Elias (190-1999) responded with 20 points (was perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line !!!) and American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) scored 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Platense moved-up to fourth place. Loser Regatas keeps the eleventh position with 19 games lost. Platense will meet at home league's leader Quimsa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Regatas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Platense: J.Corbalan 25+3reb+2ast, E.Flor 19+2reb+3ast, Q.Thomas 12+9reb, S.Morales 10+8reb, M.Mayora 8+11reb+3ast, S.Barrales 7+6reb
Regatas: F.Elias 20+3reb+2ast, C.Thomas 13+4reb, F.Vieta 9+2reb+2ast, A.Diez 8+6reb, L.Juan 6+5reb, M.Joaquin 4+1reb

San Lorenzo - Boca 74-79

There was a surprise result in Almagro where ninth ranked Boca (19-14) won against 4th placed San Lorenzo (21-13) 79-74 on Sunday. The former international Leonel Schattmann (193-1987) stepped up and scored 18 points and 9 assists for the winners and American forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. Naturalized Italian swingman Federico Marin (199-1982) responded with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and swingman Federico Grun (191-1996) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Five San Lorenzo players scored in double figures. Boca maintains ninth place with 19-14 record. Loser San Lorenzo dropped to the fifth position with 13 games lost. Boca will meet at home Argentino (#18) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. San Lorenzo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Boca: W.Langston 19+6reb+1ast, L.Schattmann 18+3reb+9ast, S.Vega 10+7reb+1ast, L.Mainoldi 9+3reb+1ast, J.Vildoza 7+3reb+2ast, G.Juan 6+3reb+3ast
San Lorenzo: L.Perez 16+1reb+1ast, K.Hernandez 13+4reb, F.Marin 12+6reb+5ast, F.Grun 10+6reb+2ast, I.Basualdo 10+4reb, S.Lugo 8+2reb+1ast

Obera - Comunicaciones 80-77

Nineteenth-ranked Comunicaciones (9-24) made lots of trouble for tenth ranked Obera (19-16) on Sunday. Obera managed to secure only three-point victory 80-77. However their fans expected much easier game. Point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) stepped up and scored 10 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners and swingman Jonatan Torresi (190-1994) chipped in 16 points. Forward Rodrigo Sanchez (200-1989) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Comunicaciones' coach gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Obera maintains tenth place with 19-16 record. Comunicaciones lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 24 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Obera: J.Torresi 16+4reb+1ast, F.Enzo 14+3reb, J.Ascanio 12+6reb, C.Guyton 12+4reb+4ast, J.Stormo 10+6reb, J.Laterza 10+5reb+9ast
Comunicaciones: R.Sanchez 15+9reb+1ast, M.Thomas 15+6reb+3ast, J.Strings 13+5reb+2ast, L.Francisco 13+3reb+1ast, F.Pais 11+1reb+2ast, D.Garcia 8+2ast

Ferro - Obras 97-84

There was an upset in Buenos Aires where higher ranked Obras (20-13) was defeated by fifteenth ranked Ferro (14-21) 97-84 on Sunday. Ferro made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Power forward Marco Luchi (198-1992) stepped up and scored 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and point guard Emiliano Lezcano (187-2001) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) responded with 16 points and Peruvian point guard Juan Venegas (183-2000) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ferro moved-up to thirteenth place. Loser Obras keeps the seventh position with 13 games lost. Ferro 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 Quimsa (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Ferro: M.Luchi 17+6reb+3ast, T.Spano 16+2reb+1ast, L.Emiliano 13+7reb+5ast, R.Felipe 12+3reb+1ast, M.Fierro 11+7reb, R.Gallegos 10+2reb+2ast
Obras: P.Barral 16+4reb+3ast, V.Juan 13+5reb+3ast, A.Spight 12+3reb+3ast, J.Solarin 11+2reb, R.Andela 9+5reb, A.Digon 9+2reb+1ast