Libobasquet Round 4: CAN Potosi defeats leader Rubair

Cristhian Camargo

The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team, favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Rubair (2-1) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by CAN Potosi (3-1) 86-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rubair. It was a key game for the top position in the league. CAN Potosi shot 27 for 39 from the free-throw line, while Rubair only scored eleven points from the stripe. They outrebounded Rubair 42-21 including a 35-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. 26 personal fouls committed by Rubair helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Cristhian Camargo (194-92) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. Spanish Adriano Barrera (-92) contributed with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international guard Diego Olguin (186-95) replied with 12 points and 6 rebounds for Rubair. Rubair's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. CAN Potosi keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Amistad. Rubair at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Carl A-Z. CAN Potosi is looking forward to face Univ. Santa Cruz (#4) in the next round. Rubair will play against Penarol in Quillacollo and is hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game for Amistad (3-1) which played in Potosi against Calero (2-2). Second ranked Amistad won 76-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Kris Frazier (201, college: Peru St.) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 8 rebounds and Marttavius Adams who added 15 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American power forward Jon Cathey-Macklin (206-91, college: Tarleton St.) responded with 28 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Amistad keeps a position of league leader, which they share with CAN Potosi. Defending champion Calero keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with CAN Oruro. Amistad will play against La Salle Tarija (#5) at home in the next round. Calero will play against the league's leader Pichincha and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Penarol (1-2) against fifth ranked CAN Oruro (2-2) on Wednesday night. Visiting Penarol was crushed by CAN Oruro in Oruro 101-67. The winners were led by Erbel De-Pietro who scored that evening 28 points. CAN Oruro's coach Guillermo Tasso felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 21 points and 9 rebounds by Marvin Cairo did not help to save the game for Penarol. CAN Oruro moved-up to third place, which they share with Calero. Loser Penarol dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. CAN Oruro will meet La Salle CBBA (#6) in the next round. Penarol will play against the league's second-placed Rubair and hope to win that game.
La Salle Tarija's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat AND1 La Paz (0-4) 103-72. Martin Ochoa fired 11 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. La Salle Tarija (1-3) left bottom position moving up to fifth place, which they share with La Salle CBBA. It was AND1 La Paz's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. La Salle Tarija's next round opponent will be league's second-placed Amistad in Sucre and it may be quite challenging game. AND1 La Paz will play at home against Carl A-Z (#3) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Univ. Santa Cruz's fans can celebrate the first win of their team after one consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat La Salle CBBA (1-3) 86-80 on Tuesday. It was a very good performance for Diego Burgos who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. La Salle CBBA's coach Osvaldo Saidman rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Univ. Santa Cruz (1-1) left bottom position moving up to fourth place. Loser La Salle CBBA keeps the fifth position with three games lost. Univ. Santa Cruz will face league's leader CAN Potosi in Oruro in the next round and it may be the game of the week. La Salle CBBA will play at home against CAN Oruro (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.