Liga Wplay Round 7 of Regular Season

- May 18, 2023

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Desmond Holloway

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second defeat of league's leader Titanes (5-2) against first ranked Piratas (6-1) 89-82 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Titanes. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Piratas forced 22 Titanes turnovers. 28 personal fouls committed by Titanes helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American Desmond Holloway (194-1990, college: Coastal, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!). His fellow American import point guard Jeremy Smith (180-1997, college: CSUSB) contributed with 23 points and 5 steals for the winners. Panamanian Josimar Ayarza (205-1987, college: Southern Miss) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds for Titanes. Piratas have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-1 record. Defending champion Titanes dropped to the third position with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Carrib.Storm. Titanes will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Piratas will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Corsarios in Cartagena.

Another interesting game for Motilones (1-6) which played in Cartagena against Corsarios (0-7). Fourth ranked Motilones had an easy win 62-43. It was a great evening for international forward Leyder Moreno (195-2000) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Roydell Brown helped adding 10 points and 12 rebounds. At the losing side the former international guard Yesid Mosquera-Perea (198-1996, college: Life) responded with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Motilones maintains fourth place with 1-6 record. It was Corsarios' seventh loss in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Motilones will play against league's second-placed Bucaros in Bucaramanga in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Corsarios will play on the road against the league's leader Piratas in Bogota and hope to get finally their first victory.
A very close game took place in Cali between Storm and Team Cali. First ranked Storm (5-1) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Team Cali (2-5). Storm managed to escape with a 1-point win 78-77 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Romario Roque who led the winners and scored 21 points. Franco Morales came up with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for Team Cali in the defeat. Team Cali's coach Guillermo Moreno rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Storm maintains first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Cafeteros. Team Cali lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Storm will meet Sabios (#5) in the next round. Team Cali will have a break next round.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Winless Sabios were smashed by Cimarrones on the road 76-55. Cafeteros won against Team Cali on its own court 73-57. Winless Sabios was outscored by Cafeteros in Armenia 90-59. Bucaros managed to beat Motilones at home 77-73. Winless Corsarios were crushed by Piratas on the opponent's court 99-62.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 21 points and 7 rebounds by Santiago Serna of Piratas.

Cimarrones - Sabios 76-55

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Cimarrones (4-3) crushed bottom-ranked Sabios (0-6) in Quibdo-Choco 76-55 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Deshaun Highler (188, college: Sacramento St.) who led the winners and scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Nick Evans (210-1988, college: S.Indiana) accounted for 15 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Four Cimarrones players scored in double figures. Forward Andres Sepulveda (193) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and Argentinian forward Augusto Bruera (196-1998, agency: BIG) added 11 points and 5 assists respectively for Sabios 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. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Cimarrones. They maintain third place with 4-3 record having just two points less than leader Carrib.Storm. Sabios lost their sixth game in a row. They still close the standings with six games lost. Cimarrones will meet at home league's second-placed Cafeteros in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sabios will play against the league's leader Storm and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Cimarrones: D.Highler 17+6reb+6ast, N.Evans 15+3reb+4ast, E.Gianfranco 14+3reb+2ast, A.Minota 13+1reb+3ast, M.Parra 9+3reb, V.Juan 6+2reb+2ast
Sabios: S.Andres 23+10reb+3ast, B.Augusto 11+3reb+5ast, M.Kirsch 7+3reb+2ast, C.Harold 6, C.Londono 4+8reb, M.Wilton 2

Cafeteros - Team Cali 73-57

Rather expected game when 4th placed Team Cali (2-5) lost to second ranked Cafeteros (5-1) in Armenia 57-73 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for international Alvaro Pena (197-1995) who led the winners and scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Onno Steger (196, college: WCU, agency: Helping Ballers) accounted for 5 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Uruguayan Sebastian Ottonello (200-1997) came up with 19 points and 7 rebounds and the former international forward Yildon Mendoza (206-1996, college: Angelo St.) added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for Team Cali in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Cafeteros. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Carrib.Storm. Team Cali lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fourth place with five games lost. Cafeteros will meet Cimarrones (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Team Cali will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cafeteros: A.Pena 23+8reb+2ast, M.Dunbar 13, A.Mateo 13+1ast, J.Cardenas 6+8reb+2ast, C.Arboleda 6+8reb, O.Steger 5+13reb+5ast
Team Cali: S.Ottonello 19+7reb+1ast, Y.Mendoza 9+6reb+1ast, S.Jorge 7+2reb, P.Filippakos 7+2reb, J.Merchant 6+6reb+4ast, G.Juan 3+1reb

Cafeteros - Sabios 90-59

Rather predictable result when second ranked Cafeteros (5-1) rolled over bottom-ranked Sabios (0-6) in Armenia 90-59 on Saturday. Cafeteros forced 19 Sabios turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for American guard JaQuaylon Mays (185-2000, college: Fort Lewis) who led the winners and scored 22 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import forward Onno Steger (196, college: WCU, agency: Helping Ballers) accounted for 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Five Cafeteros players scored in double figures. Forward Andres Sepulveda (193) came up with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Argentinian forward Augusto Bruera (196-1998, agency: BIG) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Sabios 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. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Cafeteros. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Carrib.Storm. Sabios lost their sixth game in a row. They still close the standings with six games lost. Cafeteros will meet Cimarrones (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sabios will play against the league's leader Storm and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Cafeteros: J.Mays 22+4reb+5ast, O.Steger 17+6reb+5ast, A.Pena 15+8reb+2ast, M.Dunbar 12+2reb+1ast, J.Cardenas 11+6reb+1ast, L.Yustin 8
Sabios: S.Andres 15+7reb+3ast, B.Augusto 15+5reb+2ast, M.Kirsch 11+1reb+3ast, M.Jerson 9+2reb+2ast, S.Cristian 5+7reb, C.Londono 2+5reb

Team Cali - Carrib.Storm 77-78

A very close game took place in Cali between Storm and Team Cali. First ranked Storm (5-1) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Team Cali (2-5). Storm managed to escape with a 1-point win 78-77 on Saturday evening. Storm made 16-of-16 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for the former international guard Romario Roque (180-1998) who led the winners and scored 21 points. International forward Andres Ibarguen (200-1996, college: Angelo St., agency: Helping Ballers) accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Chilean guard Franco Morales (179-1992) came up with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists and American guard John Merchant (187-1989, college: Dowling) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Team Cali in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Team Cali's coach Guillermo Moreno rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Storm maintains first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Cafeteros. Team Cali lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Storm will meet Sabios (#5) in the next round. Team Cali will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Carrib.Storm: R.Roque 21+4reb+3ast, A.Ibarguen 16+9reb+1ast, M.Solanas 15+2reb+1ast, J.Newby 15+2reb+4ast, K.Walters 7+6reb+2ast, J.Hernandez 2+4reb
Team Cali: S.Jorge 17+2reb+3ast, J.Merchant 16+6reb+5ast, P.Filippakos 15+7reb, F.Morales 13+7reb+9ast, S.Ottonello 9+4reb, Y.Mendoza 7+3reb+1ast

Corsarios - Motilones 43-62

Another interesting game for Motilones (1-6) which played in Cartagena against Corsarios (0-7). Fourth ranked Motilones had an easy win 62-43. It was a great evening for international forward Leyder Moreno (195-2000) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. American guard Roydell Brown (198-1998, college: McNeese St.) helped adding 10 points and 12 rebounds. At the losing side the former international guard Yesid Mosquera-Perea (198-1996, college: Life) responded with 13 points and 6 rebounds and Carlos Morales (192) scored 10 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Motilones maintains fourth place with 1-6 record. It was Corsarios' seventh loss in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Motilones will play against league's second-placed Bucaros in Bucaramanga in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Corsarios will play on the road against the league's leader Piratas in Bogota and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Motilones: L.Moreno 15+11reb+1ast, C.Rodriguez 13+6reb+2ast, R.Brown 10+12reb+3ast, M.Juan 8+2reb, P.Julio 5+1ast, F.Enzo 4+7reb+1ast
Corsarios: Y.Mosquera-Perea 13+6reb, M.Carlos 10+4reb+2ast, L.Santiago 6+2reb, K.Cuesta 6+5reb, G.Saavedra 4+6reb+1ast, R.Canate 2+3reb

Piratas - Titanes 89-82

Second defeat of league's leader Titanes (5-2) against first ranked Piratas (6-1) 89-82 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Titanes. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Piratas forced 22 Titanes turnovers. 28 personal fouls committed by Titanes helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American Desmond Holloway (194-1990, college: Coastal, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!). His fellow American import point guard Jeremy Smith (180-1997, college: CSUSB) contributed with 23 points and 5 steals for the winners. Panamanian Josimar Ayarza (205-1987, college: Southern Miss) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds and Argentinian Jose Defelippo (186-1997) added 13 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Titanes. Four Titanes players scored in double figures. Piratas have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 6-1 record. Defending champion Titanes dropped to the third position with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Carrib.Storm. Titanes will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Piratas will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Corsarios in Cartagena.
Top scorers:
Piratas: D.Holloway 25+10reb+2ast, J.Smith 23+3reb+3ast, S.David 17+1reb+1ast, S.Santiago 8+6reb, V.Sebastian 8+9reb+2ast, A.Yorbis 3+4reb
Titanes: J.Ayarza 19+6reb+1ast, A.Carmona 15+2reb+1ast, J.Defelippo 13+10reb+2ast, J.Lozano 13+4reb, J.Laterza 11+2reb+1ast, D.Luque Soren 9+7reb+1ast

Bucaros - Motilones 77-73

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th placed Motilones' (1-6) road loss to third ranked Bucaros (6-2) in Bucaramanga 73-77 on Monday. It was an exceptional evening for the former international forward Stalin Ortiz (190-1981, college: Valpo) who led the winners and scored 20 points. Argentinian guard Alejo Montes (191-1991) accounted for 15 points for the winning side. American-Panamanian point guard CJ Rodriguez (188-1994, college: S.Nazarene) came up with 15 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and American guard Roydell Brown (198-1998, college: McNeese St.) added 15 points respectively for Motilones in the defeat. Four Motilones players scored in double figures. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Bucaros. They moved-up to second place. Motilones at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. Bucaros will again meet at home Motilones (#4) in the next round. Motilones will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bucaros: S.Ortiz 20+4reb+2ast, A.Montes 15+3reb, M.Bermudez 13+2reb+1ast, S.Andre 12+4reb+1ast, O.Munoz 9+3reb+5ast, S.Mojica 8+6reb+4ast
Motilones: C.Rodriguez 15+4reb+2ast, R.Brown 15+3reb, F.Enzo 13+4reb, L.Moreno 12+3reb+2ast, J.Valinotti 9+3reb+2ast, M.Colina 6+2reb

Piratas - Corsarios 99-62

Everything went according to plan when first ranked Piratas (6-1) outplayed bottom-ranked Corsarios (0-7) in Bogota 99-62 on Monday. Piratas dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Corsarios' 36. Piratas forced 27 Corsarios turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for the former international power forward Santiago Serna (203-2001) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Jeremy Smith (180-1997, college: CSUSB) accounted for 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals for the winning side. Piratas' coach Jose Tapias felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Argentinian center Guillermo Saavedra (200-1986) came up with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds and Carlos Morales (192) added 13 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Corsarios in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Piratas. They maintain first place with 6-1 record. Corsarios lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Piratas will again meet at home Corsarios (#5) in the next round. Corsarios will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Piratas: S.Santiago 21+7reb+1ast, D.Holloway 18+3reb+2ast, J.Smith 15+6reb+5ast, A.Yorbis 13+3reb+1ast, J.Sandoval 10+3ast, J.Dupree 10+11reb+1ast
Corsarios: M.Carlos 13+7reb, L.Santiago 13+2reb+1ast, T.Yeison 11+5reb, G.Saavedra 11+14reb+1ast, Y.Mosquera-Perea 7+6reb+3ast, A.Beiker 4+1reb

Tags : DESMOND HOLLOWAY, PIRATAS DE BOGOTA, COLOMBIAN BASKETBALL