LNB Round 25 (Regular Season): Univ.Concepcion defeat Espanol in the game between Top 4 teams

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Univ.Concepcion (22-4) which hosted in Concepcion 3rd placed Espanol (18-8). Second ranked Univ.Concepcion managed to get a 4-point victory 74-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Espanol O.. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Stephen Maxwell (201-1993, college: CSUN) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 6 rebounds. International point guard Diego Silva (186-1993) contributed with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Yahota Rasas (201-1999, college: PVAMU) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds for Espanol. Univ.Concepcion have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 22-4 record having just two points less than leader Los Leones. Espanol at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. Univ.Concepcion are looking forward to face league's leader Los Leones in Quilpue in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Espanol will play at home against Univ.Catolica and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
LNB top team - Los Leones (24-2) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat tenth ranked Univ.Catolica (9-17) in Santiago 80-71. American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Darrol Jones chipped in 10 points and 6 assists. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American forward Randy Rickards (201-2000, college: WILMU) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Los Leones have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 24-2 record. Univ.Catolica at the other side keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Los Leones will play against league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Univ.Catolica will play against Espanol (#3) in Osorno and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between fifth ranked Sportiva Italiana (15-11) and 6th ranked Puente Alto (12-14) in Valparaiso on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Sportiva Italiana outscored guests from Puente Alto 84-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Puente Alto. Devante Wallace nailed 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Justin Strings came up with 19 points for Puente Alto in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sportiva Italiana maintains fifth place with 15-11 record. Loser Puente Alto keeps the sixth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Colo Colo. Sportiva Italiana will meet Las Animas (#8) in the next round. Puente Alto will play against Ancud and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 25 were not that significant. Las Animas beat Ancud on the road 104-96. Bottom-ranked Espanol lost to Colo Colo on its own court 87-103. Puerto Varas managed to outperform Valdivia in a road game 82-65.



Ancud - Las Animas 96-104

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Las Animas and 8th ranked Ancud had identical 10-15 record. But Ancud was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Valdivia 104-96 on Sunday night. Las Animas made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Las Animas outrebounded Ancud 49-37 including a 41-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) nailed a double-double by scoring 47 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import power forward Rashad Hassan (203-1989, college: SSU) accounted for 14 points and 17 rebounds. The former international point guard Franco Morales (181-1992) came up with 37 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Devin Evans (206-2001, college: USC Aiken, agency: Haylett Sports) added 16 points and 15 rebounds respectively for Ancud in the defeat. Four Ancud players scored in double figures. Las Animas (11-15) moved-up to eighth place. Ancud lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 16 games lost. Las Animas will meet at home higher ranked Sportiva Italiana (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ancud will play against Puente Alto (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ancud: F.Morales 37+5reb+6ast, D.Evans 16+15reb+1ast, G.Hermosillas 12+8reb+1ast, R.Granberry 11+3reb+1ast, N.Martinez 9+1reb+1ast, R.Vera 9+3reb
Las Animas: A.Anderson 47+15reb+2ast, R.Hassan 14+17reb+2ast, G.Diaz 13+6reb+4ast, G.Caraboni 10+1ast, C.Naranjo 9+3reb, P.Sandoval 5+4reb+5ast

Sportiva Italiana - Puente Alto 84-63

The game between fifth ranked Sportiva Italiana (15-11) and 6th ranked Puente Alto (12-14) in Valparaiso on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Sportiva Italiana outscored guests from Puente Alto 84-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Puente Alto. Sportiva Italiana made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Puente Alto 52-26 including a 17-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. American Devante Wallace (196-1992, college: High Point, agency: BIG) nailed 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Gaspar Hernandez (-1999) accounted for 15 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Four Sportiva Italiana players scored in double figures. American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) came up with 19 points and American-Puerto Rican forward Jonathan Ocasio (196-1992, college: New Haven) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Puente Alto in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sportiva Italiana maintains fifth place with 15-11 record. Loser Puente Alto keeps the sixth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Colo Colo. Sportiva Italiana will meet Las Animas (#8) in the next round. Puente Alto will play against Ancud and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Puente Alto: J.Strings 19+1reb+2ast, J.Ocasio 14+6reb+1ast, R.Munoz 13+2reb+3ast, R.Armijo 5+5reb, F.Ibarra 5+2reb+1ast, A.Pinedo 4+1reb+2ast
Sportiva Italiana: D.Wallace 22+8reb+3ast, F.Herrera 17+10reb+1ast, G.Hernandez 15+6reb+9ast, C.Rios 12+4reb+3ast, B.Aguilera 8+7reb, J.Barra 4+6reb+1ast

Espanol T. - Colo Colo 87-103

Very expected game when 12th ranked Espanol (2-24) lost to seventh ranked Colo Colo (12-14) in Talca 87-103 on Sunday. Colo Colo shot 63.2 percent from the field and made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Colo Colo had a 25-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. Colo Colo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American swingman Dennis McKinney (194-1998, college: Mt.Mercy) nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and Argentinian guard Alejo Britos (187-1994) accounted for 18 points and 9 assists. Colo Colo's coach Ernesto Menchaca used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ramiro Montes came up with 32 points and Vicente Guaico (-1994) added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Espanol in the defeat. Five Colo Colo and four Espanol players scored in double figures. Colo Colo moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Puente Alto. Espanol lost their fourth game in a row. They stay dead last with 24 lost games. Colo Colo will meet at home higher ranked Puerto Varas (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Espanol will play against Valdivia (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Espanol T.: R.Montes 32+3reb+3ast, M.Zerene 17+3ast, C.Cabrera 17+4reb+3ast, V.Guaico 15+8reb+4ast, T.Lueiza 4, Y.Orelus 2+4reb+7ast
Colo Colo: D.McKinney 28+11reb+3ast, A.Britos 18+2reb+9ast, B.Herrera 14+5reb+4ast, S.Silva 12+3reb+3ast, J.Schuler 10+4reb+2ast, M.Serrano 6+1ast

Valdivia - Puerto Varas 65-82

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Puerto Varas (16-10) won against on the road 11th ranked Valdivia (5-21) 82-65 on Sunday. Puerto Varas outrebounded Valdivia 47-26 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Puerto Varas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Venezuelan Luis Merida (190-1992) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) accounted for 10 points and 12 rebounds. Puerto Varas' coach Damian Gamarra used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center Dishon Lowery (200-1998, college: OKBU) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds and the former international guard Erik Carrasco (181-1983) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for Valdivia in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Puerto Varas maintains fourth place with 16-10 record. Valdivia lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 21 games lost. Puerto Varas will meet Colo Colo (#7) in the next round. Valdivia will play against Espanol (#12) in Talca and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valdivia: E.Carrasco 19+4reb+5ast, G.Vergara 13+2reb+2ast, D.Lowery 12+16reb+2ast, B.Coro 10+2reb+2ast, E.Amado 8+1reb+2ast, M.Ugalde 3+1reb+2ast
Puerto Varas: M.Perez 19+1reb+3ast, L.Merida 16+11reb+1ast, J.Morris 10+10reb+1ast, A.Corum 10+12reb+2ast, P.Arroyo 8+3reb+5ast, J.Ovando 6+1reb

Univ.Catolica - Los Leones 71-80

LNB top team - Los Leones (24-2) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat tenth ranked Univ.Catolica (9-17) in Santiago 80-71. Los Leones players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and the former international forward Darrol Jones (193-1994) chipped in 10 points and 6 assists. Four Los Leones players scored in double figures. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American forward Randy Rickards (201-2000, college: WILMU) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds and Brazilian center Pedro Leopoldino (206-1998) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Los Leones have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 24-2 record. Univ.Catolica at the other side keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Los Leones will play against league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Univ.Catolica will play against Espanol (#3) in Osorno and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Univ.Catolica: R.Rickards 24+8reb+1ast, J.Dlugoszewski 14+2reb+3ast, P.Leopoldino 12+7reb+3ast, V.Damianovic 8+4reb+3ast, J.Aguayo 8+2reb+3ast, S.Navarrete 3+2reb
Los Leones: R.Johnson 19+7reb+4ast, I.Carrion 12+2reb+1ast, J.Evans 11+4reb+3ast, D.Jones 10+3reb+6ast, S.Mijares 9+2reb+1ast, P.Allegrini 6+1reb+3ast

Univ.Concepcion - Espanol O. 74-70

An interesting game for Univ.Concepcion (22-4) which hosted in Concepcion 3rd placed Espanol (18-8). Second ranked Univ.Concepcion managed to get a 4-point victory 74-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Espanol O.. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Stephen Maxwell (201-1993, college: CSUN) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 6 rebounds. International point guard Diego Silva (186-1993) contributed with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Yahota Rasas (201-1999, college: PVAMU) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import forward DeAndre Daniels (206-1992, college: UConn, agency: BIG) added 11 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Espanol. Four Espanol players scored in double figures. Univ.Concepcion have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 22-4 record having just two points less than leader Los Leones. Espanol at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. Univ.Concepcion are looking forward to face league's leader Los Leones in Quilpue in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Espanol will play at home against Univ.Catolica and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Espanol O.: Y.Rasas 15+11reb, B.Amor 15+3reb+5ast, H.Gomez 13+3reb+4ast, D.Daniels 11+10reb+3ast, C.Martinez 7+2reb+1ast, A.Moraga 5+3reb+1ast
Univ.Concepcion: S.Maxwell 23+6reb, K.Rubio 10+3reb+1ast, D.Silva 10+6reb+4ast, D.Low 9+4reb+2ast, S.Carrasco 9+2reb+5ast, C.Milano 8+7reb+2ast