Libobasquet Round 3: CAN Potosi loses to Penarol

Marvin Cairo

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in Libobasque. The round was rather attractive and full of interesting results. The round ended with change at the leadership position and favorites losing the games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The biggest surprise of round 3 in Libobasque took place in Quillacollo where host Penarol (1-1) beat CAN Potosi (2-1) 108-101 on Sunday evening. 28 personal fouls committed by CAN Potosi helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) who had a double-double by scoring 49 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds. Cuban forward Alejandro Alvarez (194-92) chipped in 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Spanish Adriano Barrera (-92) who recorded 44 points (!!!). CAN Potosi's coach Gaston Fernandez rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. CAN Potosi will play next round against strong Rubair trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Penarol will try to continue on its current victory against CAN Oruro on the road.
Calero (2-1) recorded a loss in Potosi. Hosts were defeated by Carl A-Z (2-1) 80-71. It was a good game for American Decorey Jones (201-90, college: Faulkner) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. John Merchant contributed with 16 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Carl A-Z's coach Marcelo Mendieta allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Argentinian swingman Alejo Montes (191-91) answered with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for Calero. Carl A-Z will play against Pichincha at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Calero will play against Pichincha and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game was played in Cochabamba. Rubair faced La Salle CBBA. Guests from (2-0) smashed host La Salle CBBA (1-2) 79-60. It was a great evening for Reimer Machado who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was Leonardo Catelotti with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rubair will meet at home CAN Potosi in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. La Salle CBBA will play against Univ. Santa Cruz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Pichincha delivered the third consecutive victory. This time they crushed La Salle Tarija (0-3) 94-62. It was a quality performance for Muusa Dama who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Pichincha's next round opponent will be Calero (#3) in Potosi, which may be the game of the day. La Salle Tarija will play at home against AND1 La Paz and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Oruro was also quite interesting. Univ. Santa Cruz (0-1) played at the court of CAN Oruro (1-2). CAN Oruro defeated Univ. Santa Cruz 83-72 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Erbel De Pietro who scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. CAN Oruro will face Penarol (#3) in Quillacollo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Univ. Santa Cruz will play at home against La Salle CBBA and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 3 winless AND1 La Paz was defeated by Amistad in Sucre 112-95.