La Liga Round 31 (Regular Season): Boca defeat Zarate in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Nineteenth-ranked Zarate (7-19) gave a tough game to first ranked Boca (20-7) on Tuesday. The visitors from Buenos Aires managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Boca outrebounded Zarate 41-30 including 33 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points. The former international swingman Martin Cuello (193-1993) helped adding 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side point guard Lautaro Fraga (185-1992) responded with 17 points. Zarate's coach Juan Anglese rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains first place with 20-7 record. Zarate lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 19 games lost. Boca are looking forward to face Atenas (#10) in Cordoba in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zarate will play at home against San Martin (#12) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Obras (18-10) against eleventh ranked Atenas (15-13) on Monday night. Host Obras was defeated by Atenas in a tough game in Buenos Aires 76-83. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Leonardo Lema (203-1998) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Jose Montero accounted for 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Chris Clarke (196-1996, college: Texas Tech, agency: Interperformances) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists for Obras in the defeat. Obras' coach Diego Vadell tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Atenas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Olimpico. Obras at the other side keeps the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Quimsa. Atenas will play against league's leader Boca in Buenos Aires in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Obras will play at home against San Martin and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Comodoro Rivadavia between Gimnasia and Penarol. Tenth ranked Gimnasia (15-12) got a very close home victory over 14th ranked Penarol (13-15). Gimnasia managed to escape with a 2-point win 88-86 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Kenneth Horton fired 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Gimnasia's coach Martin Villagran used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Marcus Thomas produced 25 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Gimnasia have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They moved-up to ninth place. Penarol lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 15 games lost. Gimnasia will meet at home San Martin (#12) in the next round. Penarol will play against San Lorenzo in Almagro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 31: Quimsa destroyed Platense on the opponent's court 106-82. Bottom-ranked Argentino unfortunately lost to Riachuelo in a home game 69-86. Ferro recorded a loss to San Martin on the road 71-81. Union defeated Regatas on its own court 84-76. Riachuelo beat Platense in La Rioja 70-65. Bottom-ranked Argentino was destroyed by Atenas at home 66-91. Regatas unfortunately lost to Obera on the opponent's court 62-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points by Agustin Brocal of Obera.



Platense - Quimsa 82-106

Very expected game in Florida where 16th ranked Platense (11-20) was crushed by fourth ranked Quimsa (18-10) 106-82 on Sunday. Quimsa made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 53.3 percentage. American Brandon Robinson (196-1989, college: Clayton St.) fired 24 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international guard Agustin Perez (192-1999) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Quimsa's coach Leandro Ramella felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Filipino Zach Graham (198-1989, college: Ole Miss) produced 24 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Eric Flor (190-1993) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Four Platense players scored in double figures. Quimsa have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Obras. Loser Platense keeps the sixteenth position with 20 games lost. Quimsa will meet at home Olimpico (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Platense will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Quimsa: B.Robinson 24+3reb+1ast, A.Perez 16+5reb+5ast, J.Brussino 14+1reb+2ast, B.Sansimoni 12+1ast, E.Vasirani 10+2reb, A.Louis 9+7reb+1ast
Platense: Z.Graham 24+5reb, E.Flor 15+4reb+3ast, F.Vazquez 12+3reb+1ast, F.Thygesen 12+1reb+4ast, S.Barrales 9+4reb, J.Morales 5+1reb

Argentino - Riachuelo LR 69-86

Very predictable result in Junin where second ranked Riachuelo (19-8) defeated bottom-ranked Argentino (5-23) 86-69 on Sunday. American power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Diego Figueredo (185-1991, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Ramiro Frontera produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and Mexican swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Riachuelo and four Argentino players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Riachuelo maintains second place with 19-8 record behind leader Boca. Loser Argentino stay dead last with 23 lost games. Riachuelo will meet at home Independ.O. (#17) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Argentino will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Riachuelo LR: X.Carreras 19+3reb, R.Buckner 16+10reb+2ast, J.Corbalan 14+3reb+1ast, D.Figueredo 10+10reb+5ast, V.Forestier 10+3ast, F.Aguerre 5+3reb+1ast
Argentino: M.Hernandez 18+5reb, R.Frontera 14+10reb+2ast, T.Allende 10+7reb+1ast, F.Podesta 10+4reb+1ast, M.Gomez 8+1ast, A.Gennero 3

San Martin - Ferro 81-71

There was a minor upset in Corrientes where 12th ranked Ferro (13-14) was defeated by fourteenth ranked San Martin (14-14) 81-71 on Monday. San Martin outrebounded Ferro 41-30 including 31 on the defensive glass. American forward Samuel Givens (198-1989, college: Drexel) fired 20 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the winners. His fellow American import power forward Dario Hunt (204-1989, college: Nevada) chipped in 6 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Emiliano Lezcano (187-2001) produced 11 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Rodrigo Gallegos (186-1991) added 8 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. San Martin moved-up to twelfth place. Ferro lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. San Martin will meet higher ranked Obras (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ferro will play against Instituto (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San Martin: S.Givens 20+5reb, L.Gargallo 12+4reb+1ast, F.Mendez 11+6reb+1ast, V.Garello 8+6reb+2ast, S.Acevedo 8+3reb+6ast, F.Grun 7+2reb+2ast
Ferro: T.Spano 13+1reb+2ast, F.Rodriguez 13+3reb, E.Lezcano 11+5reb+3ast, V.Malachias 10+2reb+1ast, A.Diez 9+5reb+1ast, R.Gallegos 8+4reb+5ast

Union SF - Regatas 84-76

There was a small surprise in Santa Fe where seventh ranked Union (17-16) beat their close opponent Regatas (16-15) 84-76 on Monday. The former international Mauro Cosolito (192-1988) fired 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Uruguayan point guard Marcos Cabot (180-1989) chipped in 13 points and 4 assists. Four Union SF players scored in double figures. The former international forward Claudio Ramirez (200-1990) produced 20 points and Mexican point guard Gustavo Aguirre (189-1988) added 5 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Union moved-up to sixth place. Loser Regatas keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Union SF: M.Cabot 13+4reb+4ast, J.Alessio 12+4reb+1ast, M.Cosolito 12+7reb+5ast, D.Morrison 11+4reb, Y.Guerra 10+5reb+4ast, D.Hure 9+4reb
Regatas: C.Ramirez 20+2reb+2ast, F.Elias 12+1reb+2ast, A.Jaime 11+3reb+1ast, S.Giletto 8+5reb+1ast, K.Alexander 6+7reb, G.Aguirre 5+8reb+3ast

Obras - Atenas 76-83

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Obras (18-10) against eleventh ranked Atenas (15-13) on Monday night. Host Obras was defeated by Atenas in a tough game in Buenos Aires 76-83. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Leonardo Lema (203-1998) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Swingman Jose Montero (193-1995) accounted for 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Four Atenas players scored in double figures. American forward Chris Clarke (196-1996, college: Texas Tech, agency: Interperformances) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international power forward Tomas Chapero (211-2001) added 14 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Obras in the defeat. Obras' coach Diego Vadell tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Atenas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Olimpico. Obras at the other side keeps the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Quimsa. Atenas will play against league's leader Boca in Buenos Aires in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Obras will play at home against San Martin and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Atenas: L.Lema 23+12reb, J.Montero 16+5reb+6ast, J.Cruz Oberto 15+6reb, C.Buendia 10+1reb+2ast, L.Arn 8+2reb+1ast, N.Sanders 6+5reb+1ast
Obras: C.Clarke 27+16reb+5ast, T.Chapero 14+2reb+1ast, P.Barral 10+2reb+4ast, L.Schattmann 9+1reb+1ast, F.Inyaco 7+1reb, J.Venegas 3+2ast

Platense - Riachuelo LR 65-70

There was no surprise in Florida where 16th ranked Platense (11-20) was defeated by second ranked Riachuelo (19-8) 70-65 on Tuesday. Point guard Juan Corbalan (185-1998) fired 22 points for the winners. American power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds. Venezuelan center Windi Graterol (204-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and the former international Eric Flor (190-1993) added 17 points respectively for lost side. Riachuelo maintains second place with 19-8 record behind leader Boca. Loser Platense keeps the sixteenth position with 20 games lost. Riachuelo will meet at home Independ.O. (#17) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Platense will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Riachuelo LR: J.Corbalan 22+4reb+1ast, D.Figueredo 19+3reb+3ast, R.Buckner 11+14reb+1ast, T.Trocha-Morelos 6, V.Forestier 6+3reb+1ast, F.Aguerre 4+10reb+1ast
Platense: E.Flor 17+4reb+2ast, W.Graterol 14+11reb+1ast, F.Smaniotti 9+3reb+2ast, F.Vazquez 7+1reb+2ast, J.Morales 7+3reb+1ast, S.Barrales 6+8reb+2ast

Gimnasia - Penarol 88-86

A very close game took place in Comodoro Rivadavia between Gimnasia and Penarol. Tenth ranked Gimnasia (15-12) got a very close home victory over 14th ranked Penarol (13-15). Gimnasia managed to escape with a 2-point win 88-86 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Gimnasia's coach Martin Villagran used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Marcus Thomas (191-1995, college: Rosemont) produced 25 points and 7 rebounds and forward Al Thornton (203-1983, college: FSU, agency: BIG) added 24 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Gimnasia have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They moved-up to ninth place. Penarol lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 15 games lost. Gimnasia will meet at home San Martin (#12) in the next round. Penarol will play against San Lorenzo in Almagro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gimnasia: K.Horton 18+5reb+1ast, A.Nation 17+5reb, R.Whitfield 15+2reb+2ast, A.Cisneros 13+3reb+1ast, T.Daniels 8+7reb+1ast, E.Toretta 7+5reb+6ast
Penarol: M.Thomas 25+7reb, A.Thornton 24+6reb+1ast, V.Fernandez 14+2reb+3ast, L.Andujar 10+7reb+3ast, D.Pineda 7+2reb, R.Acuna 6+3reb

Zarate - Boca 72-73

Nineteenth-ranked Zarate (7-19) gave a tough game to first ranked Boca (20-7) on Tuesday. The visitors from Buenos Aires managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Boca outrebounded Zarate 41-30 including 33 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points. The former international swingman Martin Cuello (193-1993) helped adding 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side point guard Lautaro Fraga (185-1992) responded with 17 points and center Julian Aprea (210-1987) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Zarate's coach Juan Anglese rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains first place with 20-7 record. Zarate lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth position with 19 games lost. Boca are looking forward to face Atenas (#10) in Cordoba in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zarate will play at home against San Martin (#12) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Boca: A.Ibarguen 17+3reb, J.Vildoza 16+3reb+1ast, T.Cooper 11+2reb+1ast, M.Cuello 9+5reb+6ast, M.Delia 9+8reb+1ast, F.Pinero 6+9reb
Zarate: L.Fraga 17+3reb+2ast, J.Aprea 12+9reb+1ast, C.Gomez 10+1reb+5ast, P.Pinero 8+1reb+1ast, M.Trelles 8+1reb+3ast, F.Capponi 6+2reb

Argentino - Atenas 66-91

No shocking result in a game in Junin where eleventh ranked Atenas (15-13) outleveled bottom-ranked Argentino (5-23) 91-66 on Wednesday. Atenas made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Atenas outrebounded Argentino 44-28 including a 37-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international Leonardo Lema (203-1998) fired 16 points for the winners. Point guard Nicolas Zurschmitten (183-1995) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Five Atenas players scored in double figures. Center Fernando Podesta (205-1992) produced 15 points and Ignacio Bednarek (206-2001) added 14 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Atenas. They moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Olimpico. Loser Argentino stay dead last with 23 lost games. Atenas will meet league's leader Boca in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Argentino will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Atenas: L.Lema 16+3reb+2ast, C.Buendia 13+2reb+4ast, N.Zurschmitten 12+7reb+2ast, R.Ledesma 12+5reb, L.Arn 11+4reb+3ast, J.Cruz Oberto 10+6reb+1ast
Argentino: F.Podesta 15+2reb+1ast, I.Bednarek 14+3reb, M.Gomez 9+2reb+1ast, J.Slider 9+5reb+2ast, M.Hernandez 9+3reb, R.Frontera 5+6reb+2ast

Obera - Regatas 69-62

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Regatas' (16-15) road loss to sixth ranked Obera (17-11) 62-69 on Wednesday. Obera outrebounded Regatas 43-31 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) fired a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 assists and 5 steals for the winners. American forward Will Vorhees (203-1995, college: NDC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Vorhees is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Obera players scored in double figures. American power forward Charles Thomas (203-1986, college: Arkansas) produced 16 points and 5 rebounds and Sebastian Lugo (195-1998) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Obera moved-up to fifth place. Loser Regatas keeps the seventh position with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Obera: A.Brocal 19+4reb+2ast, J.Laterza 14+3reb+10ast, W.Vorhees 12+11reb+3ast, A.Barreiro 12+12reb, N.Quiroga 7+4reb, J.Torresi 2+3reb
Regatas: C.Thomas 16+5reb+1ast, S.Lugo 10+5reb+1ast, S.Giletto 10+2reb+2ast, A.Jaime 7+5reb+3ast, K.Alexander 6+4reb, C.Ramirez 6+3reb+1ast