LNB Round 22: Puente Alto defeat Valdivia in the closest game of the week

Marquez Letcher-Ellis

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 22 in the LNB took place in Puente Alto. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 7th ranked Valdivia (12-10) to fourth ranked Puente Alto (15-6) 77-75 on Friday evening. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Puente Alto made 9 blocks. American forward Marquez Letcher-Ellis (203-1997, college: Nevada) had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and forward Renato Munoz (-2003) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Argentinian Juan Manuel Rivero (191-1985) responded with 23 points. Puente Alto have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 15-6 record. Valdivia at the other side keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Concepcion. First ranked host Concepcion (20-2) smashed their biggest opponent Los Leones (17-4) 92-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Los Leones. Venezuelan Carlos Milano (198) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Miles Bowman Jr supported him with 24 points and 6 rebounds. Even 16 points and 5 rebounds by American Tyrone Lee (203-1990, college: GVSU) did not help to save the game for Los Leones. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-2 record. Los Leones at the other side keep the second place with four games lost. Concepcion will play against Catolica (#12) in Santiago in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Los Leones will have a break next round.
Fifth ranked Las Animas (15-8) crushed at home 13th ranked Espanol T. (4-15) by 35 points 101-66, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Cristian Amicucci fired a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Nicolas Gimenez produced 26 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Las Animas have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 15-8 record. Espanol T. lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 15 games lost. Las Animas will meet at home Tinguiririca (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Espanol T. will play against Espanol O. and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 22 Valdivia destroyed Quilicura on the opponent's court 79-56. Espanol O. outscored Tinguiririca in a home game 98-66.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points and 10 rebounds by Anthony Lee of Espanol O..