Liga Nacional Round 5: CD Castro lose to Las Animas

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Round in Liga Nacional means a new league leader. The biggest surprise took place in Valdivia where host Las Animas (3-0) beat league's leader CD Castro (3-1) 87-78 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of CD Castro. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 27 personal fouls committed by CD Castro helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American forward Kristian Clarkson (202-84, college: Widener) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. American-Jamaican center Dane Johnson (208-86, college: Hofstra) chipped in 15 points and 13 rebounds. Argentinian guard Esteban Cantarutti (185-88) produced 26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Las Animas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with CDU Concepcion. CD Castro at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with CD Valdivia. They were replaced at the leadership position by Las Animas. CD Castro will play next round against Puerto Montt trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Las Animas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked AB Ancud at home.
Important game to mention about took place in Puerto Varas. Third ranked Deportivo Valdivia (3-1) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked CD Puerto Varas (1-4) 76-75 on Saturday evening. American guard Rashad Madden (196-92, college: Arkansas) saved the victory by scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Ignacio Alessio contributed with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Deportivo Valdivia's coach Juan Manuel Cordoba allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Deangelo Kirkland (203-89, college: Columbus St., agency: Interperformances) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 17 rebounds for CD Puerto Varas. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with CD Castro. CD Puerto Varas at the other side dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Puerto Montt between AB Ancud and Puerto Montt. Sixth ranked AB Ancud (1-3) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Puerto Montt (1-3). AB Ancud managed to escape with a 1-point win 67-66 in the game for the fourth place. Lisandro Rasio stepped up and scored 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Akeem Ellis responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds. AB Ancud left bottom position moving up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Puerto Montt. AB Ancud will meet league's leader Las Animas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Puerto Montt will play against the league's second-placed CD Castro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Group Sur

Las Animas - CD Castro 87-78

Round in Liga Nacional means a new league leader. The biggest surprise took place in Valdivia where host Las Animas (3-0) beat league's leader CD Castro (3-1) 87-78 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of CD Castro. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 27 personal fouls committed by CD Castro helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American forward Kristian Clarkson (202-84, college: Widener) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. American-Jamaican center Dane Johnson (208-86, college: Hofstra) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Four Las Animas players scored in double figures. Argentinian guard Esteban Cantarutti (185-88) produced 26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Cedric Blossom (198-94, college: Morgan St.) added 21 points and 12 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Las Animas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with CDU Concepcion. CD Castro at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with CD Valdivia. They were replaced at the leadership position by Las Animas. CD Castro will play next round against Puerto Montt trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Las Animas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked AB Ancud at home.
Top scorers:
CD Castro: E.Cantarutti 26+5reb+6ast, C.Blossom 21+12reb+1ast, M.Poole 19+10reb+1ast, V.G 4+1ast, D.Arcos 4+7reb, F.Pavez 2+1reb+4ast
Las Animas: K.Clarkson 29+11reb, D.Johnson 15+13reb+3ast, F.Morales 14+7reb+6ast, C.Soto 12+2reb+2ast, D.Low 7+1reb+1ast, J.Del Solar 6+8reb

Puerto Montt - AB Ancud 66-67

A very close game took place in Puerto Montt between AB Ancud and Puerto Montt. Sixth ranked AB Ancud (1-3) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Puerto Montt (1-3). AB Ancud managed to escape with a 1-point win 67-66 in the game for the fourth place. Argentinian Lisandro Rasio (198-90, agency: Pro Sports) stepped up and scored 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Argentinian point guard Leonardo La-Bella (184-86) chipped in 8 points and 6 assists. American forward Akeem Ellis (198, college: Coppin St.) responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds and Canadian point guard Alex Johnson (178, college: NC State) scored 10 points and 5 assists. AB Ancud left bottom position moving up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Puerto Montt. AB Ancud will meet league's leader Las Animas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Puerto Montt will play against the league's second-placed CD Castro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Puerto Montt: A.Ellis 17+7reb+2ast, C.Cabrera 12+3reb+2ast, A.Johnson 10+4reb+5ast, T.Alvarez 8+3reb+2ast, F.Garrido 8+4reb+2ast, S.Deguara 6+10reb+1ast
AB Ancud: L.Rasio 28+9reb+3ast, J.Victor Jeronimo 10+4reb+1ast, L.La Bella 8+4reb+6ast, S.Suarez 6+5reb+2ast, R.Munoz 6+6reb+2ast, R.Vera 6+5reb

CD Puerto Varas - CD Valdivia 75-76

Important game to mention about took place in Puerto Varas. Third ranked Deportivo Valdivia (3-1) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked CD Puerto Varas (1-4) 76-75 on Saturday evening. American guard Rashad Madden (196-92, college: Arkansas) saved the victory by scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Argentinian center Ignacio Alessio (203-87) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Deportivo Valdivia's coach Juan Manuel Cordoba allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Deangelo Kirkland (203-89, college: Columbus St., agency: Interperformances) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 17 rebounds and guard Patricio Arroyo (185-96) added 22 points in the effort for CD Puerto Varas. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with CD Castro. CD Puerto Varas at the other side dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
CD Puerto Varas: P.Arroyo 22+3reb+3ast, D.Pereira 14+10reb+1ast, D.Kirkland 14+17reb+1ast, J.Harrison 12+1reb+1ast, P.Sandoval 9+5ast, C.Aranda 4+2reb
CD Valdivia: R.Madden 23+9reb+5ast, N.Ferreyra 15+1reb+2ast, I.Alessio 14+10reb, V.Guaico 13+1reb+2ast, G.Isla 6+6reb, E.Sepulveda 3



Tags : KRISTIAN CLARKSON, CLUB DEPORTES LAS ANIMAS, CHILEAN BASKETBALL