La Liga Round 30 (Regular Season): Quimsa defeat Boca

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Boca (19-7) in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Quimsa (18-10) 76-72. Quimsa outrebounded Boca 43-32 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) who led his team to a victory with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import center Arnold Louis (201-1990, college: SSU) contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Quimsa's coach Leandro Ramella used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international swingman Martin Cuello (193-1993) replied with 26 points and 8 rebounds for Boca. Quimsa have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 18-10 record. Defending champion Boca still keeps top place with seven games lost. Quimsa are looking forward to face Platense (#16) in Florida in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Boca will play on the road against Zarate (#19) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Obras (18-9) against sixteenth ranked Platense (11-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Obras was defeated by Platense in a tough game in Florida 82-90. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Obras. Point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) scored 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Eric Flor chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Chris Clarke (196-1996, college: Texas Tech, agency: Interperformances) with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Obras' coach Diego Vadell rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Platense maintains sixteenth position with 11-19 record. Obras at the other side dropped to the third place with nine games lost. Platense will play against league's second-placed Riachuelo in La Rioja in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Obras will play at home against Atenas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An interesting game for Boca (19-7) which hosted in Buenos Aires one of their biggest challengers Riachuelo (18-8). First ranked Boca managed to get a 7-point victory 84-77. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Martin Cuello notched 18 points to lead the effort. Boca's coach Gonzalo Perez allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 15 points and 8 rebounds by Reginald Buckner did not help to save the game for Riachuelo. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-7 record. Loser Riachuelo LR dropped to the second place with eight games lost. Boca will meet Zarate (#19) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Riachuelo will play against Platense (#16) in Florida and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 30: Obera was beaten by Olimpico on the road 82-79. Independ.O. lost to Union on its own court 100-105. Union unfortunately lost to Instituto in Cordoba 93-104. Regatas managed to beat Ferro at home 84-80. Quimsa defeated Penarol on the opponent's court 81-63. La Union beat Ferro in a home game 99-86. Zarate lost to Obera on the road 66-75.
The most impressive performance of 30th round was 24 points and 10 rebounds by Edgar Merchant of Zarate.



Olimpico - Obera 82-79

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked Olimpico (15-13) edged 8th ranked Obera (16-11) in La Banda 82-79 on Tuesday. American swingman David Shriver (198-2000, college: VCU) notched 20 points to lead the effort and point guard Agustin Facello (183-1999) supported him with 15 points. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds by American forward Will Vorhees (203-1995, college: NDC) did not help to save the game for Obera. Agustin Brocal (191-1997) added 15 points and 4 assists. Four Obera players scored in double figures. Olimpico moved-up to ninth place. Loser Obera dropped to the fifth position with 11 games lost. Olimpico will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Obera will play against Regatas (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Olimpico: D.Shriver 20+3reb, D.Thomas 16+2reb, A.Facello 15+2reb+2ast, G.Aliende 8+4reb+4ast, J.Defelippo 8+6reb+4ast, J.Morales 7+4reb+3ast
Obera: W.Vorhees 18+9reb+1ast, A.Brocal 15+3reb+4ast, J.Torresi 13+6reb, A.Barreiro 12+6reb+1ast, F.Conrradi 9+2reb+1ast, J.Laterza 8+4reb+8ast

Independ.O. - Union SF 100-105

Very expected game when 16th ranked Independ.O. (10-18) lost to fifth ranked Union (16-16) in Olivia 100-105 on Tuesday. Union made 31-of-35 free shots (88.6 percent) during the game. American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) notched 19 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Daniel Hure (200-1985) supported him with 15 points. Even 24 points by forward Patricio Tabarez (195-1991) did not help to save the game for Independ.O.. Point guard Martin Cabrera (179-1996) added 19 points and 4 assists. Five Union and four Independ.O. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Union went down to seventh position due to points difference. Loser Independ.O. dropped to the seventeenth place with 18 games lost. They share the position with La Union. They will meet at home higher ranked Regatas (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Independ.O. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Union SF: D.Morrison 19+8reb+1ast, D.Hure 15+2reb+3ast, J.Alessio 15+1reb, M.Cosolito 11+3reb+5ast, P.Bombino 11+3reb, Y.Guerra 11+2reb+3ast
Independ.O.: P.Tabarez 24+3reb+2ast, M.Cabrera 19+1reb+4ast, R.Vallejos 13+2reb+1ast, E.Filippetti 10+5reb+1ast, N.Marcucci 9+3reb+1ast, A.Pautasso 8+1reb+1ast

Platense - Obras 90-82

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Obras (18-9) against sixteenth ranked Platense (11-19) on Wednesday night. Visiting Obras was defeated by Platense in a tough game in Florida 82-90. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Obras. Platense made 17-of-19 charity shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) scored 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the former international Eric Flor (190-1993) chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Platense players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Chris Clarke (196-1996, college: Texas Tech, agency: Interperformances) with 19 points and 9 rebounds and Peruvian point guard Juan Venegas (183-2000) scored 17 points and 7 assists. Obras' coach Diego Vadell rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Platense maintains sixteenth position with 11-19 record. Obras at the other side dropped to the third place with nine games lost. Platense will play against league's second-placed Riachuelo in La Rioja in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Obras will play at home against Atenas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Platense: F.Vazquez 25+8reb+7ast, E.Flor 21+7reb+2ast, Z.Graham 13, W.Graterol 13+7reb+2ast, J.Morales 8+2reb+2ast, F.Smaniotti 5+6reb+1ast
Obras: C.Clarke 19+9reb+3ast, J.Venegas 17+2reb+7ast, M.Mata 10+1reb, F.Inyaco 8+4reb+4ast, L.Mainoldi 8+3reb, T.Chapero 6+6reb

Boca - Quimsa 72-76

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Boca (19-7) in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Quimsa (18-10) 76-72. Quimsa outrebounded Boca 43-32 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) who led his team to a victory with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import center Arnold Louis (201-1990, college: SSU) contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Quimsa's coach Leandro Ramella used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international swingman Martin Cuello (193-1993) replied with 26 points and 8 rebounds and the former international guard Santiago Scala (186-1991) added 10 points and 5 assists in the effort for Boca. Quimsa have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 18-10 record. Defending champion Boca still keeps top place with seven games lost. Quimsa are looking forward to face Platense (#16) in Florida in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Boca will play on the road against Zarate (#19) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Quimsa: B.Robinson 15+8reb+5ast, T.Miller 14+7reb, A.Louis 13+9reb+1ast, J.Brussino 7+4reb+6ast, E.Basabe 6+6reb+2ast, B.Sansimoni 6+3reb
Boca: M.Cuello 26+8reb+3ast, F.Pinero 13+2reb+1ast, S.Scala 10+3reb+5ast, S.Vega 7+5reb+3ast, M.Delia 7+4reb+2ast, T.Cooper 6+1reb

Instituto - Union SF 104-93

There was a surprise result when ninth ranked Instituto (15-9) won against higher ranked Union (16-16) in Cordoba 104-93 on Thursday. Instituto made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) notched 20 points and 6 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Bautista Lugarini (203-2001) supported him with 15 points. Even 21 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) by Cuban center Pedro Bombino (206-2000) did not help to save the game for Union. Naturalized Italian point guard Gaston Whelan (187-1994) added 11 points and 6 assists. Five Instituto and four Union players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Instituto moved-up to eighth place. Loser Union SF dropped to the seventh position with 16 games lost. Instituto will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Union will play against Regatas (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Instituto: A.Negrete 20+4reb+6ast, N.Copello 17+2reb+1ast, B.Lugarini 15+3reb+3ast, L.Guerra 13+1reb+2ast, N.Pomoli 12+4reb+3ast, E.Holt 10+4reb+1ast
Union SF: P.Bombino 21+3reb+1ast, Y.Guerra 14+4reb+3ast, G.Whelan 11+4reb+6ast, M.Craion 10+5reb+1ast, D.Morrison 9+5reb, M.Cabot 8+5ast

Regatas - Ferro 84-80

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Ferro (13-13) lost to eighth ranked Regatas (16-13) in Corrientes 80-84 on Thursday. Regatas shot 28 for 39 from the free-throw line, while Ferro only scored twelve points from the stripe. They outrebounded Ferro 43-30 including a 37-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international Pablo Gramajo (193-1996) notched 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international forward Claudio Ramirez (200-1990) supported him with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Even 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Paraguayan center Leonel Bettiga (208) did not help to save the game for Ferro. Point guard Tomas Spano (183-1998) added 13 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Regatas have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Ferro keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. They share it with Atenas. Regatas will meet higher ranked Obera (#5) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ferro will play against San Martin (#14) in Corrientes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Regatas: P.Gramajo 20+5reb+1ast, S.Giletto 12+5reb+1ast, C.Ramirez 11+7reb, T.Franchela 10+1reb+1ast, C.Thomas 10+7reb+1ast, A.Jaime 9+4reb+4ast
Ferro: L.Bettiga 16+5reb+5ast, A.Diez 14+4reb, T.Spano 13+3reb+4ast, F.Rodriguez 10+5reb, E.Lezcano 9+6reb+1ast, R.Gallegos 7+2reb+3ast

Penarol - Quimsa 63-81

Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Quimsa (18-10) defeated 12th ranked Penarol (13-14) in Mar del Plata 81-63 on Friday. American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) notched 25 points to lead the effort and Bahamas center Tavario Miller (203-1994, college: Texas A&M) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Miller is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Quimsa's coach Leandro Ramella allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 23 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Penarol. His fellow American import guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) added 12 points. Quimsa have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 18-10 record. Loser Penarol dropped to the thirteenth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with San Martin. Quimsa will meet Platense (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Penarol will play against Gimnasia in Comodoro Rivadavia and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Quimsa: B.Robinson 25+3reb+3ast, T.Miller 16+6reb, B.Sansimoni 9+3reb+4ast, A.Louis 9+7reb+1ast, E.Vasirani 8+3reb, A.Perez 7+4reb+2ast
Penarol: A.Thornton 23+8reb+1ast, M.Thomas 12+3reb+3ast, L.Andujar 7+6reb+2ast, D.Pineda 7+5reb+1ast, V.Fernandez 5+2reb+1ast, R.Acuna 5+8reb

Boca - Riachuelo LR 84-77

An interesting game for Boca (19-7) which hosted in Buenos Aires one of their biggest challengers Riachuelo (18-8). First ranked Boca managed to get a 7-point victory 84-77. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Boca made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Boca had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international swingman Martin Cuello (193-1993) notched 18 points to lead the effort and the former international Sebastian Vega (200-1988) supported him with 14 points and 5 assists. Boca's coach Gonzalo Perez allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 15 points and 8 rebounds by American power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) did not help to save the game for Riachuelo. Point guard Juan Corbalan (185-1998) added 20 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-7 record. Loser Riachuelo LR dropped to the second place with eight games lost. Boca will meet Zarate (#19) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Riachuelo will play against Platense (#16) in Florida and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Boca: M.Cuello 18+4reb+2ast, S.Vega 14+2reb+5ast, J.Guerrero 13+6reb+2ast, A.Ibarguen 12+4reb, J.Vildoza 9, S.Scala 8+6reb
Riachuelo LR: J.Corbalan 20+2reb+2ast, R.Buckner 15+8reb+1ast, F.Aguerre 12+5reb+1ast, D.Figueredo 10+3reb+2ast, X.Carreras 9+4reb+2ast, V.Forestier 7+2reb

La Union - Ferro 99-86

There was an upset when higher ranked Ferro (13-13) lost to eighteenth ranked La Union (10-18) in Formosa 86-99 on Saturday. La Union outrebounded Ferro 40-22 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. American power forward DeMarco Owens (203-1996, college: Montevallo) notched 20 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and naturalized American guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) supported him with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Owens is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. La Union's coach Jose Luis Pisani used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 9 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists by Paraguayan center Leonel Bettiga (208) did not help to save the game for Ferro. Swingman Felipe Rodriguez (195-2003) added 15 points and 4 steals. Five La Union and four Ferro players scored in double figures. La Union moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Independ.O. Loser Ferro keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. They share it with Atenas. La Union will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ferro will play against San Martin (#14) in Corrientes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
La Union: D.Owens 20+7reb+1ast, R.Ferguson 17+5reb+6ast, R.Roque 15+10reb+2ast, R.Sanchez 12+4reb+1ast, N.Franco 11+5reb, J.Sandrini 10+4reb+2ast
Ferro: F.Rodriguez 15+4reb, V.Malachias 14+2reb+1ast, A.Diez 13+3reb+1ast, T.Spano 12+3reb+3ast, R.Gallegos 11+1reb+3ast, E.Lezcano 9+2reb+2ast

Obera - Zarate 75-66

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Obera (16-11) beat at home 19th ranked Zarate (7-18) 75-66 on Saturday. The former international Agustin Barreiro (205-1999) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) supported him with 15 points and 8 assists. Four Obera players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds by Edgar Merchant (200-2002) did not help to save the game for Zarate. Uruguayan guard Martin Trelles (187-1996) added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Obera moved-up to fifth place. Zarate lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 18 games lost. Obera will meet at home Regatas (#6) in the next round. Zarate will play against the league's leader Boca (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Obera: A.Barreiro 20+12reb+1ast, J.Laterza 15+8ast, W.Vorhees 12+10reb+1ast, A.Brocal 10+3reb+2ast, J.Torresi 8+3reb, F.Conrradi 4+2reb
Zarate: E.Merchant 24+10reb+1ast, M.Trelles 10+5reb+4ast, P.Pinero 9+2reb, C.Gomez 6+1reb, A.Diggs 5+3reb, L.Fernandez 4+1reb