Round 9: Real Esteli lose to Libertadores

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Nicaraguan Real Esteli (4-2) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by Mexican Libertadores (5-1) 101-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Real Esteli. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Libertadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was Cuban-Puerto Rican center Ismael Romero (205-1991, agency: BeoBasket) who scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Spanish-Colombian power forward Juan Palacios-Tello (206-1985) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Libertadores' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Davon Jefferson (203-1986, college: USC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Libertadores have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Flamengo and Quimsa. Defending Nicaraguan champion Real Esteli dropped to the second position with two games lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hamilton. First ranked Nicaraguan Real Esteli faced 3rd placed Canadian Hamilton. Guests from Esteli (4-2) defeated host Hamilton (0-6) 99-93. It was a good game for American Thomas Robinson (208-1991, college: Kansas) who led his team to a victory with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Jezreel De Jesus contributed with 25 points and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Jahvon Henry-Blair (193-1998, college: Georgetown) answered with 24 points for Hamilton. Real Esteli have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory Real Esteli went down to second position due to points difference. Defending Canadian champion Hamilton still closes the standings with six games lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Montevideo. First ranked Brazilian Flamengo faced second-best Uruguayan Penarol. Guests from Rio de Janeiro (5-1) defeated host Penarol (2-3) 92-74. Rafael Mineiro stepped up and scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Charles Thomas with 26 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Flamengo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Quimsa and Libertadores. Penarol at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost.

In the last two games of round 9 Libertadores crushed Hamilton in Queretaro 107-86. Instituto beat Penarol at home 78-71.
The best stats of 9th round was 15 points by Mateo Chiarini of Instituto.

Hamilton - Real Esteli 93-99

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hamilton. First ranked Nicaraguan Real Esteli faced 3rd placed Canadian Hamilton. Guests from Esteli (4-2) defeated host Hamilton (0-6) 99-93. Real Esteli dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Hamilton's 36 and made 25-of-33 charity shots (75.8 percent) during the game. Real Esteli players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a good game for American Thomas Robinson (208-1991, college: Kansas) who led his team to a victory with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Puerto Rican guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-1991, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 25 points and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Jahvon Henry-Blair (193-1998, college: Georgetown) answered with 24 points and power forward Elijah Lufile (201-1997, college: ORU) added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Hamilton. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Real Esteli have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory Real Esteli went down to second position due to points difference. Defending Canadian champion Hamilton still closes the standings with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.De Jesus 25+3reb+5ast, D.Jefferson 20+8reb+3ast, T.Robinson 19+9reb+6ast, E.Andujar 13+4reb+5ast, T.Holloway 11+3reb+4ast, T.Bishop 9+4reb+1ast
Hamilton: J.Henry-Blair 24+1reb+3ast, E.Lufile 15+10reb, M.Burnatowski 12+4reb+3ast, S.Miller-Moore 11+6reb+4ast, K.Osse 11+5reb+3ast, S.Osayande 6+5reb+2ast

Penarol - Flamengo 74-92

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Montevideo. First ranked Brazilian Flamengo faced second-best Uruguayan Penarol. Guests from Rio de Janeiro (5-1) defeated host Penarol (2-3) 92-74. Flamengo looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Forward Rafael Mineiro (208-1988) stepped up and scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Argentinian point guard Jose Vildoza (191-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 19 points. The best for the losing side was American power forward Charles Thomas (202-1986, college: Arkansas) with 26 points and 5 rebounds and Alex Lopez (186-1993) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Flamengo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Quimsa and Libertadores. Penarol at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: J.Vildoza 19+4reb+2ast, R.Hettsheimeir 14+3reb, R.Mineiro 14+7reb+4ast, G.Pereira 10+1reb+4ast, G.Galvanini 9+6reb, O.Rodriguez 9+6reb+5ast
Penarol: C.Thomas 26+5reb+1ast, A.Lopez 12+8reb+1ast, L.Roberts 11+5reb+1ast, N.Borsellino 7+6reb+3ast, G.Mateo 6+1reb, J.Zanotta 4+4reb+5ast

Hamilton - Libertadores 86-107

There was no surprise when 3rd placed Canadian Hamilton (0-6) was crushed at home by first ranked Mexican Libertadores (5-1) 107-86 on Thursday. Libertadores shot 60.7 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. Libertadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Hamilton's players. Cuban-Puerto Rican center Ismael Romero (205-1991, agency: BeoBasket) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners and American guard Branden Frazier (191-1992, college: Fordham, agency: BeoBasket) chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. Libertadores' coach felt very confident that he used 11 players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was power forward Elijah Lufile (201-1997, college: ORU) with 19 points and 8 rebounds and guard Sean Miller-Moore (193-1998, college: GCU) scored 15 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Libertadores. They maintain first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Flamengo and Quimsa. Hamilton lost their fourth game in a row. Defending Canadian champion still closes the standings with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Libertadores: I.Romero 26+11reb+2ast, E.Holman 15+4reb, B.Frazier 14+3reb+7ast, T.Burrell 13+2reb+1ast, J.Avila 9+3reb+6ast, V.Liz 9+1reb+1ast
Hamilton: E.Lufile 19+8reb+1ast, J.Henry-Blair 15+3reb+4ast, S.Miller-Moore 15+3reb+5ast, C.Posthumus 10+4reb, K.Osse 9+2reb+1ast, S.Osayande 7+1reb

Real Esteli - Libertadores 90-101

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Nicaraguan Real Esteli (4-2) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by Mexican Libertadores (5-1) 101-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Real Esteli. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Libertadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was Cuban-Puerto Rican center Ismael Romero (205-1991, agency: BeoBasket) who scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Spanish-Colombian power forward Juan Palacios-Tello (206-1985) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Libertadores' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Davon Jefferson (203-1986, college: USC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and Puerto Rican guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-1991, agency: Interperformances) added 23 points respectively. Four Libertadores and five Real Esteli players scored in double figures. Libertadores have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Flamengo and Quimsa. Defending Nicaraguan champion Real Esteli dropped to the second position with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Libertadores: I.Romero 19+9reb+4ast, J.Palacios-Tello 16+7reb+2ast, B.Frazier 13+5ast, G.Giron 12+6reb+4ast, J.Avila 12+1reb, J.Gutierrez 10+1reb+2ast
Real Esteli: J.De Jesus 23+3reb+3ast, D.Jefferson 21+11reb+2ast, T.Robinson 17+11reb+1ast, T.Bishop 13+4reb+2ast, T.Holloway 12+5reb+8ast, B.Lopez 2+1reb

Instituto - Penarol 78-71

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Cordoba where third ranked Argentinian Instituto (2-4) defeated second-best Uruguayan Penarol (2-3) 78-71 on Wednesday. Guard Luciano Gonzalez (194-1990) stepped up and scored 17 points for the winners and Mateo Chiarini (190-1998) chipped in 15 points. Instituto's coach used entire bench saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American power forward Lee Roberts (203-1987, college: Findlay, OH) with 14 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Rodney Green (197-1988, college: La Salle) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Defending Argentinian champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Concepcion. Loser Penarol keeps the second position with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Instituto: L.Gonzalez 17+4reb, M.Chiarini 15+4reb+1ast, T.Gallizzi 12+6reb, B.Lugarini 9+4reb+2ast, F.Elias 9+1reb+2ast, N.Romano 6+3reb+3ast
Penarol: L.Roberts 14+8reb, A.Lopez 12+2reb+1ast, R.Green 12+5reb+2ast, M.Mayora 9+3reb+2ast, N.Borsellino 8+4reb+2ast, J.Zanotta 6+4reb+6ast



Tags : ISMAEL ROMERO, LIBERTADORES DE QUERETARO, BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AMERICAS BASKETBALL