La Liga Round 44 (Regular Season): San Martin edge Obras by two points

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in La Liga. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 44 in the La Liga took place in Corrientes. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Obras (21-15) to fifth ranked San Martin (23-14) 77-75 on Friday evening. The best player for the winners was swingman Lucas Gargallo (196-1995) who scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Ecuadorian center Bryan Carabali (214-1999) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) produced 22 points for the guests. San Martin have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Obras at the other side keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Boca and Platense. San Martin are looking forward to face Boca (#7) in Buenos Aires in the next round. Obras will play on the road against La Union in Formosa and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Formosa, where higher ranked San Lorenzo (22-15) lost to sixteenth ranked La Union (13-23) in a road game 79-92. American power forward Kwame Alexander (201-1990, college: CSUSB, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. Martin Fernandez contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. La Union's coach Sebastian Ginobili allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international Kevin Hernandez (205-1991) replied with 17 points for San Lorenzo. La Union have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixteenth position with 13-23 record. San Lorenzo at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 15 games lost. La Union will play against higher ranked Obras (#8) in Buenos Aires in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. San Lorenzo will play on the road against Ferro in Buenos Aires and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game took place in La Rioja, where higher ranked Obera (19-18) lost to fifteenth ranked Riachuelo (16-22) in a road game 81-95 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Franco Aguerre who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Riachuelo LR's coach Sebastian Gonzalez used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jackson Stormo responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Riachuelo maintains fifteenth position with 16-22 record. Loser Obera keeps the tenth place with 18 games lost. Riachuelo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Obera will play against Union (#19) in Santa Fe and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 44 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Boca was defeated by Gimnasia in Comodoro Rivadavia 90-85. Penarol beat Independ.O. at home 86-77. Platense lost to Olimpico on the opponent's court 65-69. Argentino managed to outperform Comunicaciones in a home game 83-68. Bottom-ranked Comunicaciones recorded a loss to Zarate on the road 66-60.
The best stats of 44th round was 16 points and 5 rebounds by Camilo Gomez of Zarate.



Gimnasia - Boca 90-85

Everything could happen in Comodoro Rivadavia at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Gimnasia and 7th ranked Boca had identical 21-14 record. This time Gimnasia used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Buenos Aires 90-85 on Thursday night. Gimnasia made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 assists and the other American import center Gerard De Vaughn (205-1988, college: Stillman) who added 17 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. De Vaughn is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 18 points and the former international Sebastian Vega (200-1988) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Boca's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Gimnasia (22-14) moved-up to fifth place. Loser Boca keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Obras and Platense. Gimnasia will meet higher ranked Olimpico (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Boca will play against Comunicaciones (#20) in Mercedes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gimnasia: T.White 30+2reb+5ast, G.De Vaughn 17+10reb+2ast, J.Cardenas 15+10reb, P.Gramajo 12+1reb+1ast, E.Toretta 6+3reb+2ast, F.Podesta 5
Boca: J.Vildoza 18+3reb+2ast, L.Schattmann 15+3reb+2ast, L.Mainoldi 13+2reb, S.Vega 13+7reb+2ast, R.Barber 11+2reb, W.Langston 8+4reb+3ast

La Union - San Lorenzo 92-79

We should mention about the upset which took place in Formosa, where higher ranked San Lorenzo (22-15) lost to sixteenth ranked La Union (13-23) in a road game 79-92. La Union outrebounded San Lorenzo 39-21 including a 28-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. American power forward Kwame Alexander (201-1990, college: CSUSB, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. The former international swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four La Union players scored in double figures. La Union's coach Sebastian Ginobili allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international Kevin Hernandez (205-1991) replied with 17 points and Sebastian Lugo (195-1998) added 13 points in the effort for San Lorenzo. La Union have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixteenth position with 13-23 record. San Lorenzo at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 15 games lost. La Union will play against higher ranked Obras (#8) in Buenos Aires in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. San Lorenzo will play on the road against Ferro in Buenos Aires and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
La Union: K.Alexander 20+12reb+3ast, M.Fernandez 15+5reb, W.Alcegaire 13+5reb+1ast, A.Lillard 11+4reb+1ast, M.Saglietti 10, L.Guerra 8+4reb+6ast
San Lorenzo: K.Hernandez 17+4reb, S.Lugo 13+2reb+2ast, F.Marin 10+1reb+2ast, G.Cordoba 10+1reb, I.Basualdo 9+6reb+2ast, F.Conrradi 8+1reb+1ast

San Martin - Obras 77-75

The most exciting game of round 44 in the La Liga took place in Corrientes. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Obras (21-15) to fifth ranked San Martin (23-14) 77-75 on Friday evening. The best player for the winners was swingman Lucas Gargallo (196-1995) who scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Ecuadorian center Bryan Carabali (214-1999) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Pedro Barral (187-1994) produced 22 points and Franco Smaniotti (194-2000) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Obras players scored in double figures. San Martin have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Obras at the other side keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Boca and Platense. San Martin are looking forward to face Boca (#7) in Buenos Aires in the next round. Obras will play on the road against La Union in Formosa and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
San Martin: L.Gargallo 20+5reb+6ast, B.Carabali 17+7reb+1ast, A.Perez 15+6reb+1ast, F.Mendez 8+8reb+5ast, G.Garcia 7+1reb+1ast, C.Buendia 5+3reb+1ast
Obras: P.Barral 22+4reb+1ast, F.Smaniotti 17+5reb, C.Clarke 12+6reb, J.Venegas 11+5reb+2ast, F.Inyaco 7+2reb, R.Andela 2+6reb

Penarol - Independ.O. 86-77

No shocking result in a game in Mar del Plata where twelfth ranked Penarol (18-20) defeated 17th ranked Independ.O. (12-25) 86-77 on Friday. Penarol looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Victor Fernandez (180-1999) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 assists and American forward Diamon Simpson (204-1987, college: SMC) who added 12 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Point guard Ezequiel Paz (190-2001, agency: Interperformances) responded with 19 points and forward Tomas Nally (202-2002, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Five Penarol and four Independ.O. players scored in double figures. Independ.O.'s coach Martin Gonzalez rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Penarol maintains twelfth position with 18-20 record. Independ.O. lost tenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth place with 25 games lost. Penarol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Independ.O. will play against Platense (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Penarol: V.Fernandez 20+2reb+7ast, A.Thornton 17+5reb+1ast, T.Monacchi 15+5reb+1ast, J.Valinotti 13+1reb+6ast, D.Simpson 12+13reb+2ast, J.Morales 4+3reb+4ast
Independ.O.: E.Paz 19+3reb+3ast, T.Nally 11+10reb, J.Banegas 11+3reb, S.Giletto 10+7reb+2ast, A.Alonso 9+4reb, J.Noblega 7+4reb+4ast

Riachuelo LR - Obera 95-81

An interesting game took place in La Rioja, where higher ranked Obera (19-18) lost to fifteenth ranked Riachuelo (16-22) in a road game 81-95 on Friday. Riachuelo made 24-of-25 free shots (96.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Franco Aguerre who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and the former international point guard Nicolas De los Santos (180-1988) who added 23 points and 7 assists during the contest. Riachuelo LR's coach Sebastian Gonzalez used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward Jackson Stormo (206-1999, college: Siena) responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) and point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Riachuelo maintains fifteenth position with 16-22 record. Loser Obera keeps the tenth place with 18 games lost. Riachuelo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Obera will play against Union (#19) in Santa Fe and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Riachuelo LR: F.Aguerre 28+16reb+4ast, N.De los Santos 23+4reb+7ast, A.Ibarguen 12+6reb+1ast, M.Beigier 12+2reb+2ast, J.Maldonado 11+3reb+2ast, M.Corso 5+3reb+2ast
Obera: J.Stormo 21+7reb+2ast, J.Laterza 15+7reb+8ast, A.Hilliard 14+8reb+3ast, C.Guyton 11+5reb, J.Torresi 10+1reb, A.Azpilicueta 5+3reb

Olimpico - Platense 69-65

Very expected game in La Banda where 8th ranked Platense (21-15) was defeated by third ranked Olimpico (24-12) 69-65 on Friday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Nicolas Aguirre (189-1988) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds and American center Michael Hughes (203-1998, college: Duquesne) who added 13 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The former international Eric Flor (190-1993) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Olimpico maintains third position with 24-12 record having four points less than leader Quimsa. Platense lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Obras and Boca. Olimpico will meet league's leader Quimsa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Platense will play against Independ.O. (#17) in Olivia and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Olimpico: N.Aguirre 19+7reb+1ast, J.Machuca 18+2reb, M.Hughes 13+9reb+2ast, A.Negrete 9+2reb, P.Lockett 4+3reb+2ast, N.Romano 2+4reb
Platense: E.Flor 19+13reb+2ast, F.Vazquez 13+5reb+3ast, J.Corbalan 9+1reb, S.Morales 8+5reb, Q.Thomas 6+1reb, P.Ianguas 6+4reb

Argentino - Comunicaciones 83-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with nineteenth ranked Argentino's (11-27) home victory over bottom-ranked Comunicaciones (9-27) 83-68 on Saturday. Argentino dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Comunicaciones' 28. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Manny Payton (183-1997, college: FSU) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and the other American import forward Richard Granberry (203-1993, college: Virginia St.) who added 14 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Payton is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Argentino players scored in double figures. Felipe Pais (183-1990) responded with 10 points and 7 rebounds and Uruguayan guard Diego Garcia (186-1992) scored 13 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Argentino moved-up to eighteenth place. Comunicaciones lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Argentino will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Comunicaciones will play against Boca (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Argentino: M.Payton 20+3reb+2ast, R.Granberry 14+6reb, J.Cangelosi 11+1reb+1ast, M.Poole 10+2reb, J.Slider 10+5reb+1ast, F.Centeno 10+7reb+1ast
Comunicaciones: D.Garcia 13+3reb+2ast, F.Pais 10+7reb+1ast, J.Strings 10+6reb+2ast, F.Llanos 8+1reb+2ast, M.Thomas 7+5reb+1ast, T.Pereyra 6+2reb

Zarate - Comunicaciones 66-60

Not a big story in a game when 20th ranked Comunicaciones (9-27) was defeated on the road by fourteenth ranked Zarate (16-21) 66-60 on Thursday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Worth to mention a great performance of Camilo Gomez who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 5 rebounds and Agustin Brocal (191-1997) who added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. American guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) responded with 10 points and 5 assists and Felipe Pais (183-1990) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Zarate have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Ferro. Comunicaciones lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Zarate will meet Ferro (#14) in the next round. Comunicaciones will play against Boca (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zarate: C.Gomez 16+5reb+2ast, S.Chaine 13+3reb, A.Brocal 8+5reb+5ast, E.Rupcic 6+5reb, D.Pineda 5+3reb, F.Pascolatt 5+2reb+2ast
Comunicaciones: F.Pais 12+4reb, M.Thomas 10+3reb+5ast, R.Sanchez 8+7reb, D.Garcia 7+4reb+1ast, F.Maeso 7+6reb+1ast, J.Strings 5+7reb