LNB Round 18 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second defeat of league's leader Los Leones (15-2) against fifth ranked Puerto Varas (11-8) 78-64 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Los Leones. Puerto Varas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. The former international guard Marcelo Perez (196-1999, college: Southern Miss) contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Ignacio Carrion (201-1993) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Los Leones. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Puerto Varas maintains fifth position with 11-8 record. Defending champion Los Leones dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Univ.Concepcion. Los Leones will play next round against Valdivia trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Puerto Varas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Sportiva Italiana in Valparaiso.
Another exciting game for Ancud (9-10) which hosted 4th ranked Sportiva Italiana (13-5). Seventh ranked Ancud won 84-80. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Sportiva Italiana. Argentinian forward Gabriel Hermosillas (202-1993) scored 23 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Franco Morales chipped in 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Ancud moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Colo Colo. Sportiva Italiana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Ancud will play against Univ.Catolica (#10) in Santiago in the next round. Sportiva Italiana will play on the road against Puerto Varas (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Puente Alto supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Univ.Concepcion (16-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Puente Alto (8-11). Univ.Concepcion smashed Puente Alto 114-82 on Thursday. Stephen Maxwell notched 31 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) by Jonathan Ocasio did not help to save the game for Puente Alto. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Univ.Concepcion have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Puente Alto lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. Univ.Concepcion will meet bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Puente Alto will play against Las Animas (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Espanol beat Espanol on the road 87-69. Colo Colo lost to Las Animas on its own court 76-90. Univ.Catolica unfortunately lost to Valdivia in a road game 66-79.



Espanol T. - Espanol O. 69-87

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Espanol (15-5) beat bottom-ranked Espanol (1-18) in Talca 87-69 on Thursday. The former international Sebastian Suarez (193-1991, college: Portland St.) notched 19 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and American forward Yahota Rasas (201-1999, college: PVAMU) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Four Espanol O. players scored in double figures. Espanol O.'s coach Jorge Luis Alvarez used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds by Canadian center Rodney Simon (206-1997, college: Clark Atlanta, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) did not help to save the game for Espanol. Vicente Guaico (-1994) added 15 points and 7 rebounds. They have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Espanol maintains third position with 15-5 record behind leader Univ.Concepcion. Espanol lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Espanol will meet Colo Colo (#7) in the next round. Espanol will play against the league's leader Univ.Concepcion (#1) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Espanol T.: R.Simon 16+14reb+3ast, Y.Orelus 15+1reb, V.Guaico 15+7reb+2ast, M.Villagran 9+5reb, M.Zerene 6+5reb+1ast, R.Montes 4+5reb+4ast
Espanol O.: S.Suarez 19+9reb+2ast, Y.Rasas 15+8reb+1ast, H.Gomez 12, C.Lauler 10+5reb+2ast, B.Amor 10+3reb+9ast, A.Moraga 7+4reb+3ast

Ancud - Sportiva Italiana 84-80

Another exciting game for Ancud (9-10) which hosted 4th ranked Sportiva Italiana (13-5). Seventh ranked Ancud won 84-80. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Sportiva Italiana. Argentinian forward Gabriel Hermosillas (202-1993) scored 23 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international point guard Franco Morales (181-1992) chipped in 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and Argentinian power forward Federico Herrera (200-1993) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ancud moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Colo Colo. Sportiva Italiana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Ancud will play against Univ.Catolica (#10) in Santiago in the next round. Sportiva Italiana will play on the road against Puerto Varas (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sportiva Italiana: G.Hernandez 22+6reb+7ast, F.Herrera 20+10reb+1ast, D.Wallace 18+8reb+3ast, M.Payton 12+2reb+1ast, J.Barra 4+11reb+1ast, B.Aguilera 3+2reb
Ancud: G.Hermosillas 23+7reb+3ast, R.Granberry 20+7reb+1ast, D.Evans 18+7reb+1ast, F.Morales 14+8reb+7ast, A.Vergara 4+7reb+7ast, P.Barraza 3+1reb+1ast

Colo Colo - Las Animas 76-90

There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Colo Colo (9-10) lost to ninth ranked Las Animas (7-12) in Santiago 76-90 on Thursday. Las Animas looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) notched 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import power forward Rashad Hassan (203-1989, college: SSU) supported him with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Even 18 points and 8 rebounds by the former international Fernando Schuler (190-1991) did not help to save the game for Colo Colo. American swingman Dennis McKinney (194-1998, college: Mt.Mercy) added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Colo Colo's coach Ernesto Menchaca tested eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Las Animas have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 7-12 record. Colo Colo lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Ancud. Las Animas will meet higher ranked Puente Alto (#8) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Colo Colo will play against Espanol and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Colo Colo: F.Schuler 18+8reb+3ast, D.McKinney 16+7reb+4ast, J.Schuler 14+6reb+2ast, B.Herrera 10+5reb+4ast, D.Valenzuela 9+3reb+3ast, M.Serrano 5+1reb
Las Animas: R.Hassan 20+9reb+1ast, A.Anderson 20+7reb+5ast, P.Sandoval 17+2reb, G.Diaz 15+2reb+7ast, G.Caraboni 9+2ast, P.Campos 4+2reb+3ast

Valdivia - Univ.Catolica 79-66

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eleventh ranked Valdivia (3-16) won against at home 10th ranked Univ.Catolica (6-13) 79-66 on Thursday. American center Dishon Lowery (200-1998, college: OKBU) notched a double-double by scoring 32 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the effort and the former international guard Erik Carrasco (181-1983) supported him with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Randy Rickards (201-2000, college: WILMU) did not help to save the game for Univ.Catolica. Brazilian center Pedro Leopoldino (206-1998) added 14 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Valdivia maintains eleventh position with 3-16 record. Univ.Catolica lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 13 games lost. Valdivia will meet at home league's second-placed Los Leones in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Univ.Catolica will play against Ancud (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Univ.Catolica: R.Rickards 17+10reb+3ast, P.Leopoldino 14+6reb+2ast, S.Navarrete 12+3reb+2ast, V.Damianovic 6+2reb+1ast, D.Salcedo 5+1reb+3ast, C.Salas 5+1ast
Valdivia: D.Lowery 32+16reb+1ast, E.Carrasco 13+5reb+7ast, G.Vergara 10+5reb+2ast, A.Cheeseman 8+5reb+3ast, E.Amado 6+2reb+4ast, M.Ugalde 4+1reb

Puente Alto - Univ.Concepcion 82-114

The game in Puente Alto supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Univ.Concepcion (16-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Puente Alto (8-11). Univ.Concepcion smashed Puente Alto 114-82 on Thursday. Univ.Concepcion looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Puente Alto's players. American forward Stephen Maxwell (201-1993, college: CSUN) notched 31 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import Zoran Talley (198-1994, college: Iowa St.) supported him with 18 points and 6 assists. 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. Even 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) by American-Puerto Rican forward Jonathan Ocasio (196-1992, college: New Haven) did not help to save the game for Puente Alto. American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) added 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Univ.Concepcion have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Puente Alto lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. Univ.Concepcion will meet bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Puente Alto will play against Las Animas (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Puente Alto: J.Ocasio 26+5reb+5ast, J.Strings 22+8reb+2ast, F.Bravo 10+2reb+1ast, J.Pino 5+2reb+1ast, M.Lobos 5+2reb, F.Alippi 4+4reb+1ast
Univ.Concepcion: S.Maxwell 31+8reb+2ast, Z.Talley 18+4reb+6ast, K.Rubio 16+4reb+1ast, S.Carrasco 16+8ast, D.Silva 10+5reb+4ast, M.Rivera 9+1reb

Puerto Varas - Los Leones 78-64

Second defeat of league's leader Los Leones (15-2) against fifth ranked Puerto Varas (11-8) 78-64 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Los Leones. Puerto Varas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. The former international guard Marcelo Perez (196-1999, college: Southern Miss) contributed with 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Ignacio Carrion (201-1993) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Jerry Evans (203-1990, college: Nevada) added 9 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Los Leones. Four Los Leones players scored in double figures. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Puerto Varas maintains fifth position with 11-8 record. Defending champion Los Leones dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Univ.Concepcion. Los Leones will play next round against Valdivia trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Puerto Varas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Sportiva Italiana in Valparaiso.
Top scorers:
Los Leones: I.Carrion 17+7reb+3ast, D.Jones 12+2reb+3ast, D.Garcia 10+3reb, P.Allegrini 10+3reb+1ast, J.Evans 9+6reb+3ast, S.Mijares 4+3reb+2ast
Puerto Varas: A.Corum 23+13reb+2ast, M.Perez 15+5reb+2ast, J.Morris 11+4reb+5ast, B.Vander Stell 10+2reb+2ast, P.Arroyo 7+7reb+5ast, C.Villagran 7+4reb+5ast