LNB Round 23 (Regular Season): Puerto Varas edge Ancud by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Ancud (10-14) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Puerto Varas (15-9) on Thursday. Puerto Varas managed to secure only two-point victory 104-102. However their fans expected easier game. Puerto Varas dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Ancud's 34 and made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. Puerto Varas looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Ancud helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was guard Patricio Arroyo (185-1996) who scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) chipped in 16 points and 12 rebounds. Puerto Varas' coach Damian Gamarra used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Richard Granberry (203-1993, college: Virginia St.) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds for the guests. Puerto Varas maintains fourth place with 15-9 record. Ancud at the other side keeps the seventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Colo Colo. Puerto Varas are looking forward to face higher ranked Espanol (#3) in Osorno in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ancud will play on the road against the league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion (#2) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Leader Los Leones delivered the twenty second victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Sportiva Italiana (14-10) 77-64 in Quilpue. American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 7 rebounds. Eduardo Lugo contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) answered with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Sportiva Italiana. Los Leones (22-2) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place. Sportiva Italiana at the other side keeps the fifth position with ten games lost. Los Leones will play against bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in Talca in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Sportiva Italiana will play on the road against Colo Colo (#8) in Santiago and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Puente Alto supposed to be also quite interesting. 6th ranked Colo Colo (10-14) played at the court of eighth ranked Puente Alto (11-13). Puente Alto did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 97-77 on Thursday. It was a great evening for Jonathan Ocasio who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 8 rebounds. Puente Alto's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dennis McKinney responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Puente Alto moved-up to sixth place. Loser Colo Colo dropped to the seventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Ancud. Puente Alto will meet Univ.Catolica (#10) in the next round. Colo Colo will play against Sportiva Italiana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Univ.Catolica defeated Espanol in Santiago 69-58. Las Animas were smashed by Univ.Concepcion at home 80-114. Valdivia was destroyed by Espanol on the opponent's court 94-66.



Espanol T. - Univ.Catolica 58-69

There was no surprise in Talca where 12th ranked Espanol (2-22) was defeated by tenth ranked Univ.Catolica (9-15) 69-58 on Thursday. Univ.Catolica outrebounded Espanol 44-26 including a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Randy Rickards (201-2000, college: WILMU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Vicente Damianovic (-1997) helped adding 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international Mohunir Zerene (187-1994) responded with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Vicente Guaico (-1994) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Univ.Catolica moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Las Animas. Loser Espanol T. stay dead last with 22 lost games. Univ.Catolica will meet at home higher ranked Puente Alto (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Espanol will play against the league's leader Los Leones (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Univ.Catolica: R.Rickards 21+11reb+1ast, P.Leopoldino 13+6reb, V.Damianovic 10+8reb+4ast, S.Navarrete 8+5reb+2ast, J.Dlugoszewski 8+7reb+6ast, D.Salcedo 4+4reb+2ast
Espanol T.: M.Zerene 14+5reb+5ast, V.Guaico 12+6reb+2ast, R.Simon 11+6reb+2ast, R.Montes 8+3reb, M.Villagran 5, C.Cabrera 5+4reb+2ast

Las Animas - Univ.Concepcion 80-114

No shocking result in a game in Valdivia where second ranked Univ.Concepcion (20-4) smashed 9th ranked Las Animas (9-15) 114-80 on Thursday. Univ.Concepcion dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Las Animas' 36. Univ.Concepcion had a 26-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Las Animas' players. It was a great evening for international point guard Diego Silva (186-1993) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 assists. American forward Stephen Maxwell (201-1993, college: CSUN) helped adding 25 points and 5 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field). Gabriel Diaz (-1999) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 assists and American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Univ.Concepcion and four Las Animas players scored in double figures. 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 maintains second place with 20-4 record having just two points less than leader Los Leones. Loser Las Animas keep the ninth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Univ.Catolica. Univ.Concepcion will meet at home Ancud (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Las Animas' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Valdivia Valdivia.
Top scorers:
Univ.Concepcion: S.Maxwell 25+5reb+1ast, S.Carrasco 19+3reb+6ast, D.Silva 18+4reb+11ast, C.Milano 14+7reb+4ast, N.Aguirre 11+2reb+3ast, K.Rubio 11+6reb
Las Animas: R.Hassan 15+3reb, P.Sandoval 15+2reb, A.Anderson 15+6reb, G.Diaz 11+2reb+10ast, G.Caraboni 8+1reb+1ast, P.Campos 7+3reb

Los Leones - Sportiva Italiana 77-64

Leader Los Leones delivered the twenty second victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Sportiva Italiana (14-10) 77-64 in Quilpue. Los Leones forced 19 Sportiva Italiana turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 7 rebounds. Eduardo Lugo (-2001) contributed with 11 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) answered with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Argentinian power forward Federico Herrera (200-1993) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Sportiva Italiana. Los Leones (22-2) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place. Sportiva Italiana at the other side keeps the fifth position with ten games lost. Los Leones will play against bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in Talca in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Sportiva Italiana will play on the road against Colo Colo (#8) in Santiago and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Los Leones: R.Johnson 21+7reb, E.Lugo 11+5reb+2ast, S.Mijares 9+1reb+5ast, P.Allegrini 9+6reb+2ast, J.Evans 8+4reb+1ast, D.Jones 6+3reb+6ast
Sportiva Italiana: G.Hernandez 17+5reb+6ast, C.Rios 13+3reb, F.Herrera 9+8reb+3ast, B.Aguilera 6+4reb+1ast, M.Payton 5+2reb+3ast, L.Musrri 5

Espanol O. - Valdivia 94-66

Very expected game in Osorno where 11th ranked Valdivia (5-19) was rolled over by third ranked Espanol (17-7) 94-66 on Wednesday. Espanol dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Valdivia's 36. Espanol looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Valdivia's players. It was a great evening for forward Milenko Sepulveda (187-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Yahota Rasas (201-1999, college: PVAMU) helped adding 15 points and 11 rebounds. American center Dishon Lowery (200-1998, college: OKBU) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and the other American import AJ Cheeseman (202-1998, college: UMES) scored 15 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. Espanol maintains third place with 17-7 record having five points less than leader Los Leones. Loser Valdivia keeps the eleventh position with 19 games lost. Espanol will meet Puerto Varas (#4) on the road in the next round. Valdivia's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Valdivia to the arena Las Animas.
Top scorers:
Espanol O.: M.Sepulveda 20+5reb+3ast, Y.Rasas 15+11reb, D.Daniels 14+5reb+2ast, B.Amor 9+6reb+7ast, M.Gonzales 8+2reb+1ast, A.Moraga 7+1reb+1ast
Valdivia: D.Lowery 23+13reb+1ast, A.Cheeseman 15+5reb+2ast, M.Ugalde 10+2reb+1ast, E.Amado 5, G.Vergara 5+1reb, S.Soulodre 4+8reb+2ast

Puente Alto - Colo Colo 97-77

The game in Puente Alto supposed to be also quite interesting. 6th ranked Colo Colo (10-14) played at the court of eighth ranked Puente Alto (11-13). Puente Alto did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 97-77 on Thursday. Puente Alto outrebounded Colo Colo 42-25 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American-Puerto Rican forward Jonathan Ocasio (196-1992, college: New Haven) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) helped adding 25 points and 5 rebounds. Puente Alto's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Dennis McKinney (194-1998, college: Mt.Mercy) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Benjamin Herrera (-2003) scored 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Puente Alto moved-up to sixth place. Loser Colo Colo dropped to the seventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Ancud. Puente Alto will meet Univ.Catolica (#10) in the next round. Colo Colo will play against Sportiva Italiana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Puente Alto: J.Ocasio 30+8reb+3ast, J.Strings 25+5reb+2ast, R.Armijo 12+7reb+2ast, F.Alippi 8+6reb+1ast, R.Munoz 8+8reb+6ast, A.Pinedo 7+1reb+2ast
Colo Colo: D.McKinney 27+6reb+4ast, M.Serrano 9+1reb+1ast, S.Silva 9+1reb+1ast, B.Herrera 8+7reb+4ast, A.Britos 7+2reb+1ast, J.Collao 6+3reb+1ast

Puerto Varas - Ancud 104-102

Seventh-ranked Ancud (10-14) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Puerto Varas (15-9) on Thursday. Puerto Varas managed to secure only two-point victory 104-102. However their fans expected easier game. Puerto Varas dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Ancud's 34 and made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. Puerto Varas looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Ancud helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was guard Patricio Arroyo (185-1996) who scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Puerto Varas' coach Damian Gamarra used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Richard Granberry (203-1993, college: Virginia St.) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Franco Morales (181-1992) added 16 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists respectively for the guests. Five Puerto Varas and four Ancud players scored in double figures. Puerto Varas maintains fourth place with 15-9 record. Ancud at the other side keeps the seventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Colo Colo. Puerto Varas are looking forward to face higher ranked Espanol (#3) in Osorno in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ancud will play on the road against the league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion (#2) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Puerto Varas: P.Arroyo 25+6reb+3ast, L.Merida 16+2reb+1ast, A.Corum 16+12reb+1ast, M.Perez 14+4reb+5ast, J.Morris 11+9reb+4ast, B.Vander Stell 9+1reb+5ast
Ancud: R.Granberry 29+10reb+1ast, N.Martinez 27+5ast, F.Morales 16+5reb+12ast, G.Hermosillas 12+5reb+1ast, P.Barraza 9+1ast, A.Lopez 5+1reb+1ast