LNB Round 16 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Los Leones defeat Valdivia

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

LNB top team - Los Leones (14-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Valdivia (2-15) in Quilpue 92-64. Los Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Valdivia's 32. Los Leones forced 24 Valdivia turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Jerry Evans (203-1990, college: Nevada) who added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side Santiago Soulodre (195-1998) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Los Leones have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-1 record. Valdivia lost thirteenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 15 games lost. Los Leones are looking forward to face Ancud (#7) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Valdivia will play against Sportiva Italiana (#4) in Valparaiso and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Valdivia. Tenth ranked Las Animas (5-12) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Puente Alto (8-9) 87-86 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) and Rashad Hassan supported him with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) did not help to save the game for Puente Alto. Puente Alto's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Las Animas maintains tenth position with 5-12 record. Puente Alto lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Ancud. Las Animas will play against bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in Talca in the next round. Puente Alto will play on the road against Espanol (#3) in Osorno and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Second ranked Univ.Concepcion (14-3) crushed at home 12th ranked Espanol (1-16) by 55 points 106-51, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Zoran Talley fired 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Rodney Simon produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Univ.Concepcion maintains second position with 14-3 record having just two point less than leader Los Leones. Espanol lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Univ.Concepcion will meet at home Colo Colo (#6) in the next round. Espanol will play against Las Animas (#10) in Valdivia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 16 Colo Colo lost to Espanol on the opponent's court 71-87. Sportiva Italiana managed to outperform Puerto Varas in a home game 98-91.



Espanol O. - Colo Colo 87-71

Rather expected game in Osorno where 6th ranked Colo Colo (8-8) was defeated by third ranked Espanol (13-4) 87-71 on Saturday. Espanol made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international Carlos Lauler (190-1996) fired 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. The former international guard Barham Amor (185-1996) chipped in 22 points and 4 assists. Four Espanol O. players scored in double figures. American swingman Dennis McKinney (194-1998, college: Mt.Mercy) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds and the former international Jorge Schuler (199-1987) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Espanol have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-4 record behind leader Los Leones. Colo Colo at the other side keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. Espanol will meet at home Puente Alto (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Colo Colo will play against the league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Espanol O.: C.Lauler 22+5reb+6ast, B.Amor 22+3reb+4ast, S.Suarez 14+10reb+3ast, Y.Rasas 14+9reb+1ast, C.Martinez 6+1reb+4ast, M.Sepulveda 4+4reb+1ast
Colo Colo: D.McKinney 28+10reb+1ast, J.Schuler 10+5reb+3ast, C.Urrutia 9+3reb+1ast, F.Atala 9+5reb, D.Valenzuela 5+5reb+1ast, F.Schuler 3+3reb+1ast

Sportiva Italiana - Puerto Varas 98-91

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Sportiva Italiana's (12-4) home victory over 5th ranked Puerto Varas (9-8) 98-91 on Saturday. Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) fired 46 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American Devante Wallace (196-1992, college: High Point, agency: BIG) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Venezuelan Luis Merida (190-1992) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Joshua Morris (203-1993, college: UTPB) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Puerto Varas players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sportiva Italiana have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-4 record. Puerto Varas at the other side keep the fifth place with eight games lost. Sportiva Italiana will meet at home Valdivia (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Puerto Varas will play against Univ.Catolica (#9) in Santiago and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sportiva Italiana: G.Hernandez 46+5reb+7ast, D.Wallace 15+7reb+2ast, M.Payton 12+5reb, B.Aguilera 8+5reb, F.Herrera 6+9reb+2ast, J.Barra 6+13reb
Puerto Varas: L.Merida 24+10reb, A.Corum 16+7reb+1ast, M.Perez 13+5reb+1ast, J.Morris 12+12reb+3ast, P.Arroyo 8+3reb+3ast, B.Vander Stell 6

Las Animas - Puente Alto 87-86

Important game to mention about took place in Valdivia. Tenth ranked Las Animas (5-12) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Puente Alto (8-9) 87-86 on Saturday evening. Las Animas made 22-of-25 charity shots (88.0 percent) during the game. Puente Alto was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) and the other American import power forward Rashad Hassan (203-1989, college: SSU) supported him with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Even a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) did not help to save the game for Puente Alto. American-Puerto Rican forward Jonathan Ocasio (196-1992, college: New Haven) added 20 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Four Puente Alto players scored in double figures. Puente Alto's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Las Animas maintains tenth position with 5-12 record. Puente Alto lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Ancud. Las Animas will play against bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in Talca in the next round. Puente Alto will play on the road against Espanol (#3) in Osorno and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Las Animas: R.Hassan 30+13reb, A.Anderson 28+14reb+4ast, G.Diaz 12+3reb+7ast, C.Naranjo 9+7reb+2ast, G.Caraboni 6+1reb+4ast, F.Figueroa 2+1ast
Puente Alto: J.Strings 24+10reb+3ast, J.Ocasio 20+6reb+2ast, F.Bravo 10+4reb+4ast, R.Munoz 10+2reb+4ast, A.Pinedo 8+4reb, M.Lobos 6+1reb+2ast

Univ.Concepcion - Espanol T. 106-51

Second ranked Univ.Concepcion (14-3) crushed at home 12th ranked Espanol (1-16) by 55 points 106-51, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Univ.Concepcion dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Espanol T.'s 34. Univ.Concepcion forced 22 Espanol turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Espanol's players. American Zoran Talley (198-1994, college: Iowa St.) fired 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. International point guard Diego Silva (186-1993) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Talley is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Univ.Concepcion players scored in double figures. Canadian center Rodney Simon (206-1997, college: Clark Atlanta, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and Vicente Guaico (-1994) added 11 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Univ.Concepcion maintains second position with 14-3 record having just two point less than leader Los Leones. Espanol lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Univ.Concepcion will meet at home Colo Colo (#6) in the next round. Espanol will play against Las Animas (#10) in Valdivia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Univ.Concepcion: S.Maxwell 20+2reb, Z.Talley 18+6reb+3ast, D.Silva 16+5reb+5ast, C.Milano 10+8reb+6ast, E.Arteaga 10+2reb+1ast, S.Carrasco 10+1reb+6ast
Espanol T.: R.Simon 12+12reb+2ast, V.Guaico 11+4reb+4ast, K.Rowan 9+4reb+3ast, M.Villagran 5+7reb+1ast, C.Cabrera 4+5reb, Y.Orelus 3+1reb

Los Leones - Valdivia 92-64

LNB top team - Los Leones (14-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Valdivia (2-15) in Quilpue 92-64. Los Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Valdivia's 32. Los Leones forced 24 Valdivia turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Jerry Evans (203-1990, college: Nevada) who added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side Santiago Soulodre (195-1998) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Erik Carrasco (181-1983) scored 7 points and 8 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Los Leones have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-1 record. Valdivia lost thirteenth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 15 games lost. Los Leones are looking forward to face Ancud (#7) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Valdivia will play against Sportiva Italiana (#4) in Valparaiso and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Los Leones: R.Johnson 21+10reb, D.Jones 16+3reb+5ast, J.Evans 15+7reb+4ast, I.Carrion 9+1reb+2ast, E.Lugo 8+1reb+1ast, A.Galaviz 6+5reb+1ast
Valdivia: S.Soulodre 14+5reb+1ast, A.Cheeseman 14+2reb, M.Ugalde 8+1ast, E.Carrasco 7+2reb+8ast, A.Di Genova 5+1ast, J.Jimenez 4+4reb