Libobasquet Round 14: Univ. Santa Cruz climbs to the leadership position

The Regular Season in Libobasquet just ended. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for sixth-ranked Univ. Santa Cruz as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Univ. Santa Cruz defeated second-ranked Rubair on the road 86-72. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Univ. Santa Cruz shot 23 for 32 from the free-throw line, while Rubair only scored five points from the stripe. 24 personal fouls committed by Rubair helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Richard Ford (205-85, college: So.Poly State) had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Oscar Barrancos (-98) chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Venezuelan guard Reimer Machado (185-89) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Rubair's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Rubair at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Oruro: CAN Oruro (#3) and Carl A-Z (#3). CAN Oruro (6-6) smashed visiting Carl A-Z (6-6) by 19 points 87-68. Argentinian forward Sebastian Picton (196-92) notched 29 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Fernando Cadario supported him with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 25 points and 9 rebounds by guard Mauricio Tola (184-92) did not help to save the game for Carl A-Z. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. CAN Oruro moved-up to second place, which they share with La Salle Tarija and Carl A-Z.
The game in was also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Penarol (4-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Univ. Santa Cruz (4-8). Univ. Santa Cruz managed to secure a 6-point victory 78-72 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Luis Mercado who scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. Alejandro Alvarez produced a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Univ. Santa Cruz moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Penarol.
Fifth ranked La Salle CBBA (4-8) crushed at home 6th ranked Univ. Santa Cruz (4-8) by 34 points 100-66, which is the biggest margin this round. Giyoh Shey orchestrated the victory by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. La Salle CBBA have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Univ. Santa Cruz.

CAN Oruro - Carl A-Z 87-68

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Oruro: CAN Oruro (#3) and Carl A-Z (#3). CAN Oruro (6-6) smashed visiting Carl A-Z (6-6) by 19 points 87-68. They outrebounded Carl A-Z 51-35 including 36 on the defensive glass. CAN Oruro players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Argentinian forward Sebastian Picton (196-92) notched 29 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the former international guard Fernando Cadario (184-89) supported him with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Four CAN Oruro players scored in double figures. Even 25 points and 9 rebounds by guard Mauricio Tola (184-92) did not help to save the game for Carl A-Z. American guard John Merchant (187-89, college: Dowling) added 13 points and 15 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. CAN Oruro moved-up to second place, which they share with La Salle Tarija and Carl A-Z.
Top scorers:
CAN Oruro: S.Picton 29+6reb+5ast, F.Cadario 18+11reb+4ast, E.De Pietro 15+5reb+4ast, A.Flores 12+15reb+3ast, J.Sanjinez 4+3reb, C.Alanes 4+6reb+4ast
Carl A-Z: M.Tola 25+9reb+1ast, J.Merchant 13+15reb+3ast, J.Amado 9+3ast, D.Jones 8+2reb+1ast, A.Heredia 5+2reb+1ast, E.Alekzander 3+2reb

Univ. Santa Cruz - Penarol 78-72

The game in was also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Penarol (4-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Univ. Santa Cruz (4-8). Univ. Santa Cruz managed to secure a 6-point victory 78-72 on Friday. Univ. Santa Cruz made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Luis Mercado (205-97) who scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. Guard Oscar Barrancos (-98) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Univ. Santa Cruz players scored in double figures. Cuban forward Alejandro Alvarez (194-92) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) added 24 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Univ. Santa Cruz moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Penarol.
Top scorers:
Univ. Santa Cruz: L.Mercado 25+6reb+2ast, R.Ford 18+8reb+1ast, C.Pablo 16+2reb+5ast, O.Barrancos 14+10reb+3ast, J.Rojas 5+10reb+1ast, M.Jorge 0
Penarol: M.Cairo 24+11reb+1ast, A.Alvarez 20+13reb+5ast, B.Antezana 13+4reb, R.Teodoro 8+3reb, F.Jaime 7+1reb+2ast, P.Rino 0

Rubair - Univ. Santa Cruz 72-86

The game had a very big importance for sixth-ranked Univ. Santa Cruz as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Univ. Santa Cruz defeated second-ranked Rubair on the road 86-72. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Univ. Santa Cruz shot 23 for 32 from the free-throw line, while Rubair only scored five points from the stripe. 24 personal fouls committed by Rubair helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Richard Ford (205-85, college: So.Poly State) had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Oscar Barrancos (-98) chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Ford is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Univ. Santa Cruz players scored in double figures. Venezuelan guard Reimer Machado (185-89) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and the former international guard Diego Olguin (186-95) scored 15 points and 4 assists. Rubair's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Rubair at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Univ. Santa Cruz: R.Ford 25+10reb+2ast, O.Barrancos 18+8reb+6ast, L.Mercado 18+8reb+3ast, C.Pablo 16+3reb+2ast, B.Edgar 7+3reb, J.Rojas 2+5reb+2ast
Rubair: R.Machado 25+10reb+6ast, D.Olguin 15+4reb+4ast, J.Jaca 13+7reb+2ast, P.Agreda 9+4reb+1ast, C.Ruben 6+3reb+1ast, R.Vila 2+2reb+2ast

La Salle CBBA - Univ. Santa Cruz 100-66

Fifth ranked La Salle CBBA (4-8) crushed at home 6th ranked Univ. Santa Cruz (4-8) by 34 points 100-66, which is the biggest margin this round. La Salle CBBA forced 24 Univ. Santa Cruz turnovers. Cameroonian-American swingman Giyoh Shey (193-88) orchestrated the victory by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Uruguayan forward Miguel Barriola (191-90) contributed with 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Guard Oscar Barrancos (-98) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds and Argentinian swingman Pablo Crausaz (194-97) added 18 points and 4 assists in the effort for Univ. Santa Cruz. Four Univ. Santa Cruz players scored in double figures. La Salle CBBA have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Univ. Santa Cruz.
Top scorers:
La Salle CBBA: G.Shey 40+5reb+2ast, M.Barriola 28+9reb+1ast, M.Guillen 11+8reb, M.Asbun 8+3reb+1ast, A.Callau 7+3reb+2ast, J.Cordova 4+5reb+4ast
Univ. Santa Cruz: C.Pablo 18+3reb+4ast, R.Ford 17+1reb, L.Mercado 17+4reb+2ast, O.Barrancos 10+14reb+3ast, B.Edgar 4+6reb+1ast, K.Johnathan 0+1reb