Libobasquet Round 5: Calero loses to Pichincha in the game between Top 4 teams

T.J. Robinson

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Pichincha. Leader host Pichincha (4-0) smashed 4th placed Calero (2-3) 90-51. Pichincha dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Calero's 28. They outrebounded Calero 44-29 including a 35-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward TJ Robinson (203-89, college: LBSU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international swingman Rene Calvo (193-93) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Pichincha's coach Sergio Salas felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Argentinian swingman Alejo Montes (191-91) responded with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Pichincha have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record. Calero lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the fourth position with three games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Oruro. First ranked host CAN Potosi (4-1) smashed 4th placed Univ. Santa Cruz (1-2) 113-74. The former international forward Cristhian Camargo (194-92) nailed a triple-double by scoring 31 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and Adriano Barrera accounted for 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Coach Gaston Fernandez's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Richard Ford (205-85, college: So.Poly State) came up with 25 points and 8 rebounds for Univ. Santa Cruz in the defeat. CAN Potosi maintains first place with 4-1 record, which they share with Amistad. Univ. Santa Cruz at the other side keeps the fourth position with two games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Quillacollo. 4th placed host Penarol (1-3) was smashed by third ranked Rubair (3-1) 80-59. The best player for the winners was Gregory Curvelo who scored 18 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Marvin Cairo produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Rubair moved-up to second place, which they share with Carl A-Z. Loser Penarol dropped to the fifth position with three games lost.
Bottom-ranked AND1 La Paz (0-5) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fifth consecutive match to third ranked Carl A-Z (3-1) 101-82. DeVaughn Jones orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 17 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Carl A-Z have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Rubair. AND1 La Paz at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost.
The game in Cochabamba supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked CAN Oruro (3-2) played at the court of 6th ranked La Salle CBBA (1-4). CAN Oruro smashed La Salle CBBA 96-73 on Friday. Erbel De-Pietro stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 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. CAN Oruro have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 3-2 record having just one point less than leader CAN Potosi. La Salle CBBA lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth position with four games lost.

In the last game of round 5 La Salle Tarija lost to Amistad on the opponent's court 64-77.