LNB Round 27 (Regular Season): Espanol lose to Sportiva Italiana

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.

The game between third ranked Espanol (19-9) and fifth ranked Sportiva Italiana (17-11) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Espanol was defeated by Sportiva Italiana in a tough game in Osorno 72-77. It was a good game for American-Haitian forward Wes Alcegaire (198-1994, college: BGSU) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 6 rebounds. American Devante Wallace (196-1992, college: High Point, agency: BIG) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American forward DeAndre Daniels (206-1992, college: UConn, agency: BIG) answered with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for Espanol. Sportiva Italiana have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 17-11 record. Espanol at the other side keeps the third position with nine games lost. Sportiva Italiana are looking forward to face league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Espanol will play against the league's leader Los Leones and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
LNB top team - Los Leones (25-3) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat ninth ranked Las Animas (11-17) in Valdivia 95-86. It was a great evening for the former international forward Darrol Jones (193-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Roquez Johnson helped adding 23 points. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) with 38 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first place with 25-3 record. Las Animas at the other side keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. Los Leones will play against Espanol (#3) in Osorno in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Las Animas will play at home against Univ.Catolica (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Puente Alto was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Puerto Varas (18-10) played at the court of 6th ranked Puente Alto (12-16). Puerto Varas managed to secure a 5-point victory 80-75 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for Andrew Corum who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Puerto Varas' coach Damian Gamarra used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Justin Strings came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds for Puente Alto in the defeat. Puerto Varas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 18-10 record. Puente Alto lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with 16 games lost. They share it with Ancud. Puerto Varas will meet bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Puente Alto will play against Valdivia (#11) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 27: Ancud smashed Espanol on the road 99-64. Univ.Concepcion destroyed Univ.Catolica on its own court 92-45. Valdivia was outscored by Colo Colo in Santiago 85-42.
The most impressive performance of 27th round was 17 points and 5 rebounds by Dennis McKinney of Colo Colo.



Puente Alto - Puerto Varas 75-80

The game in Puente Alto was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Puerto Varas (18-10) played at the court of 6th ranked Puente Alto (12-16). Puerto Varas managed to secure a 5-point victory 80-75 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Andrew Corum (201-1997, college: Virginia St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Joshua Morris (203-1993, college: UTPB) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Five Puerto Varas players scored in double figures. Puerto Varas' coach Damian Gamarra used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Justin Strings (201-1996, college: Sacramento St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds and the former international Joaquin Pino (193-2000) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Puente Alto in the defeat. Puerto Varas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 18-10 record. Puente Alto lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with 16 games lost. They share it with Ancud. Puerto Varas will meet bottom-ranked Espanol (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Puente Alto will play against Valdivia (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Puerto Varas: J.Morris 14+9reb, A.Corum 14+12reb+3ast, P.Arroyo 14+4reb+1ast, L.Merida 12+1reb, B.Vander Stell 11+1reb+4ast, M.Perez 5+1reb+2ast
Puente Alto: J.Pino 19+7reb+2ast, J.Strings 15+15reb+3ast, J.Ocasio 15+2reb+2ast, F.Alippi 9+5reb+4ast, F.Ibarra 9+4reb+3ast, A.Pinedo 4

Espanol T. - Ancud 64-99

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Ancud (12-16) crushed bottom-ranked Espanol (3-25) in Talca 99-64 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Franco Morales (181-1992) who led the winners and scored 18 points and 7 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Richard Granberry (203-1993, college: Virginia St.) accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Four Ancud players scored in double figures. Canadian center Rodney Simon (206-1997, college: Clark Atlanta, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and the former international Mohunir Zerene (187-1994) added 22 points respectively for Espanol 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. Ancud moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Puente Alto. Loser Espanol T. stay dead last with 25 lost games. Ancud will meet higher ranked Colo Colo (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Espanol will play against Puerto Varas (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ancud: N.Martinez 20+2reb+2ast, F.Morales 18+4reb+7ast, R.Granberry 17+10reb+1ast, R.Amardi 13+13reb+2ast, R.Vera 9+2reb, G.Hermosillas 6+1reb+1ast
Espanol T.: M.Zerene 22+4reb, R.Montes 17+4reb+2ast, R.Simon 14+10reb+2ast, V.Guaico 5+5reb+2ast, C.Cabrera 4+6reb+2ast, T.Lueiza 2+1reb

Espanol O. - Sportiva Italiana 72-77

The game between third ranked Espanol (19-9) and fifth ranked Sportiva Italiana (17-11) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Espanol was defeated by Sportiva Italiana in a tough game in Osorno 72-77. It was a good game for American-Haitian forward Wes Alcegaire (198-1994, college: BGSU) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 6 rebounds. American Devante Wallace (196-1992, college: High Point, agency: BIG) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Sportiva Italiana players scored in double figures. American forward DeAndre Daniels (206-1992, college: UConn, agency: BIG) answered with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international Sebastian Suarez (193-1991, college: Portland St.) added 17 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Espanol. Sportiva Italiana have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 17-11 record. Espanol at the other side keeps the third position with nine games lost. Sportiva Italiana are looking forward to face league's second-placed Univ.Concepcion on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Espanol will play against the league's leader Los Leones and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sportiva Italiana: W.Alcegaire 22+6reb+2ast, G.Hernandez 20+2reb+2ast, D.Wallace 16+7reb+2ast, F.Herrera 11+8reb+3ast, B.Aguilera 4+5reb+1ast, C.Rios 3+2reb
Espanol O.: S.Suarez 17+5reb+2ast, B.Amor 13+5reb+5ast, Y.Rasas 11+4reb+2ast, C.Lauler 9+1reb+1ast, D.Daniels 9+11reb+6ast, A.Moraga 8+1reb+1ast

Las Animas - Los Leones 86-95

LNB top team - Los Leones (25-3) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat ninth ranked Las Animas (11-17) in Valdivia 95-86. Los Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Las Animas' 26. Los Leones players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a great evening for the former international forward Darrol Jones (193-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. American center Roquez Johnson (201-1992, college: MSU, agency: BIG) helped adding 23 points. Los Leones' coach Jose Angel Samaniego allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) with 38 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and the other American import power forward Rashad Hassan (203-1989, college: SSU) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first place with 25-3 record. Las Animas at the other side keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. Los Leones will play against Espanol (#3) in Osorno in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Las Animas will play at home against Univ.Catolica (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Los Leones: R.Johnson 23+2reb+3ast, D.Jones 21+5reb+7ast, I.Carrion 12+2reb, N.Rebolledo 10+2reb+3ast, D.Garcia 9+8reb+1ast, J.Evans 8+3ast
Las Animas: A.Anderson 38+5reb+2ast, P.Sandoval 14+2reb+5ast, R.Hassan 12+8reb+2ast, F.Figueroa 8+3reb, C.Naranjo 6+5reb, G.Caraboni 5+2reb+1ast

Univ.Concepcion - Univ.Catolica 92-45

Very expected game when 10th ranked Univ.Catolica (9-19) was smashed on the road by second ranked Univ.Concepcion (24-4) 92-45 on Saturday. Univ.Concepcion dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Univ.Catolica's 28. They outrebounded Univ.Catolica 47-31 including a 39-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Univ.Concepcion looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Univ.Catolica's players. It was an exceptional evening for American Zoran Talley (198-1994, college: Iowa St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. International point guard Diego Silva (186-1993) accounted for 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. 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. Brazilian center Pedro Leopoldino (206-1998) came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Sebastian Navarrete (-2003) added 7 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Univ.Catolica 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. Univ.Concepcion have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 24-4 record behind leader Los Leones. Univ.Catolica lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 19 games lost. Univ.Concepcion will meet at home Sportiva Italiana (#5) in the next round. Univ.Catolica will play against Las Animas (#9) in Valdivia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Univ.Concepcion: S.Maxwell 18+4reb+1ast, S.Carrasco 16+3reb+4ast, Z.Talley 14+10reb+2ast, D.Silva 14+5reb+5ast, M.Rivera 10+6reb+1ast, C.Milano 6+5reb+1ast
Univ.Catolica: P.Leopoldino 17+7reb+1ast, S.Navarrete 7+8reb+1ast, M.Ortiz 6, V.Damianovic 5+1reb+1ast, R.Rickards 4+3reb+3ast, D.Salcedo 4+5reb+1ast

Colo Colo - Valdivia 85-42

Very predictable result when sixth ranked Colo Colo (13-15) rolled over 11th ranked Valdivia (5-23) in Santiago 85-42 on Saturday. Colo Colo outrebounded Valdivia 42-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. Colo Colo looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Valdivia's players. It was an exceptional evening for Argentinian guard Alejo Britos (187-1994) who led the winners and scored 22 points. American swingman Dennis McKinney (194-1998, college: Mt.Mercy) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Spanish Guillermo Vergara (191-1997) came up with 10 points and 5 rebounds and Argentinian point guard Enzo Amado (183-1995) added 11 points respectively for Valdivia 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. Colo Colo maintains sixth place with 13-15 record. Valdivia lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 23 games lost. Colo Colo will meet at home Ancud (#7) in the next round. Valdivia will play against Puente Alto (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Colo Colo: A.Britos 22+4reb+2ast, D.McKinney 17+5reb+3ast, F.Atala 16+7reb, D.Valenzuela 8+3reb+3ast, M.Serrano 6+5reb+1ast, B.Herrera 5+3reb+8ast
Valdivia: E.Amado 11+1reb+3ast, G.Vergara 10+5reb, D.Lowery 6+5reb, G.Isla 4+4reb, A.Di Genova 4, J.Jimenez 2+4reb+1ast