Round 9 (Regular Season): Toros Del Valle lose to Real Esteli

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Colombian Toros (1-1) on the court of leader Nicaraguan Real Esteli on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by Real Esteli 87-68. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Real Esteli had a 37-26 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Puerto Rican point guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-1991, agency: Interperformances) stepped up and scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Puerto Rican-Nicaraguan Jared Ruiz (188-1992) chipped in 18 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Soren De Luque (200-1998) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Nicaraguan champion maintains first place with 2-0 record. Toros Del Valle at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost.
One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Colombia. The game took place in Cali where third ranked Toros outleveled visiting Paisas (0-2) 102-68. Forward Michael Jackson (192-1987) nailed 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Josimar Ayarza accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Eric Crawford (193, college: Maine-Augusta) came up with 13 points and 5 rebounds for Paisas in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros (1-1) left bottom position moving up to second place. Paisas at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Esteli. Leader Nicaraguan host Real Esteli (2-0) defeated 3rd placed Colombian Paisas (0-2) 79-70. The best player for the winners was Jared Ruiz who scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Glenn Cosey who recorded 20 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Nicaraguan champion maintains first place with 2-0 record. Loser Paisas still closes the standings with two games lost.




Real Esteli - Toros Del Valle 87-68

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Colombian Toros (1-1) on the court of leader Nicaraguan Real Esteli on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by Real Esteli 87-68. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Real Esteli had a 37-26 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Puerto Rican point guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-1991, agency: Interperformances) stepped up and scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Puerto Rican-Nicaraguan Jared Ruiz (188-1992) chipped in 18 points and 5 assists. Four Real Esteli players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Soren De Luque (200-1998) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and Nicaraguan guard Christian Pizarro (180-1995, college: Miami Dade CC) scored 9 points and 9 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Nicaraguan champion maintains first place with 2-0 record. Toros Del Valle at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.De Jesus 20+5reb+4ast, J.Ruiz 18+4reb+5ast, J.Martinez 17+5reb+2ast, G.Giron 11+5reb+2ast, J.Campbell 8+11reb+1ast, F.Garth 7+4reb+3ast
Toros Del Valle: S.De Luque 15+12reb+3ast, J.Ayarza 15+4reb+1ast, C.Pizarro 9+4reb+9ast, L.Almanza 9+6reb+1ast, B.Santiago 8+1reb+3ast, M.Jackson 6+7reb+3ast

Toros Del Valle - Paisas 102-68

One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Colombia. The game took place in Cali where third ranked Toros outleveled visiting Paisas (0-2) 102-68. Toros Del Valle had a 41-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. Forward Michael Jackson (192-1987) nailed 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Panamanian Josimar Ayarza (205-1987, college: Southern Miss) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds. Five Toros players scored in double figures. American guard Eric Crawford (193, college: Maine-Augusta) came up with 13 points and 5 rebounds and Dominican center Eloy Vargas (211-1988, college: Kentucky, agency: BIG) added 8 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Paisas in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros (1-1) left bottom position moving up to second place. Paisas at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Toros Del Valle: M.Jackson 22+9reb+2ast, B.Santiago 17+2reb+3ast, J.Ayarza 14+7reb+2ast, S.De Luque 11+9reb+3ast, L.Almanza 10+6reb, C.Pizarro 10+5reb+5ast
Paisas: E.Crawford 13+5reb+3ast, G.Cosey 11+2reb+1ast, M.McCadney 9+6reb+3ast, E.Vargas 8+10reb+1ast, O.Munoz 7+6reb+3ast, Y.Llerena 6+4reb+2ast

Real Esteli - Paisas 79-70

The game between Top Four teams took place in Esteli. Leader Nicaraguan host Real Esteli (2-0) defeated 3rd placed Colombian Paisas (0-2) 79-70. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Real Esteli made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican-Nicaraguan Jared Ruiz (188-1992) who scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Panamanian-Mexican Gabriel Giron (192-1988) chipped in 20 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Glenn Cosey (183-1992, college: EKU) who recorded 20 points and 5 assists and Dominican center Eloy Vargas (211-1988, college: Kentucky, agency: BIG) added 7 points and 17 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Nicaraguan champion maintains first place with 2-0 record. Loser Paisas still closes the standings with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: G.Giron 20+3reb+1ast, J.Ruiz 17+8reb+2ast, J.De Jesus 12+5reb+5ast, J.Martinez 8+7reb+1ast, F.Garth 5+3reb, J.Campbell 5+1ast
Paisas: G.Cosey 20+1reb+5ast, M.McCadney 16+5reb, E.Crawford 14+5reb+1ast, E.Vargas 7+17reb+2ast, Y.Llerena 5+6reb+3ast, S.Serna 2+3reb