LBS Round 5: ARBA hand first loss to Escazu

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Escazu (3-1) in San Jose on Thursday night. Visitors were edged by ARBA (4-0) 63-60. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Escazu. It was a key game for the top position in the league. ARBA forced 21 Escazu turnovers. The former international point guard Isaac Conejo (182-94) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The former international center Jeffney Anderson (208-83, college: Southern) contributed with 14 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Steven Mcdonald (197-98) answered with 9 points and 10 rebounds for Escazu. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. ARBA have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 4-0 record. Escazu at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Siquirres. ARBA will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Escazu will play against Alajuela and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
An interesting game for Siquirres (3-1) which played road game in against their close opponent Alajuela (2-3). Third ranked Siquirres managed to get a 13-point victory 86-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Alajuela. Jermiaine Acon stepped up and scored 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Reinner Archer chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Jeikol Rojas (-2) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Alajuela's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Siquirres moved-up to second place, which they share with Escazu. Alajuela at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. Siquirres will play against Heredia (#4) in the next round. Alajuela will play against the league's second-placed Escazu in San Jose and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Asobasca is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to fifth ranked Heredia (2-2) 76-71 on Saturday evening. Amir Alvarado nailed 21 points and 4 steals for the winning side. Jorge Santiesteban came up with 17 points and 6 rebounds for Asobasca in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Heredia moved-up to fourth place. Loser Asobasca still closes the standings with four games lost. Heredia will meet higher ranked Siquirres (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Asobasca will play against Perez Zeledon (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Perez Zeledon is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to third ranked Siquirres (3-1) 87-77. The best player for the winners was Harold Mitchell who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Siquirres moved-up to second place, which they share with Escazu. Perez Zeledon at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Siquirres' next round opponent will be Heredia (#4). Perez Zeledon will play against Asobasca and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

Alajuela - Siquirres 73-86

An interesting game for Siquirres (3-1) which played road game in against their close opponent Alajuela (2-3). Third ranked Siquirres managed to get a 13-point victory 86-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Alajuela. Strangely Alajuela outrebounded Siquirres 48-27 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Alajuela was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Jermiaine Acon stepped up and scored 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Reinner Archer chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Four Siquirres players scored in double figures. Jeikol Rojas (-2) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Alonso Mora (-2) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds. Alajuela's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Siquirres moved-up to second place, which they share with Escazu. Alajuela at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. Siquirres will play against Heredia (#4) in the next round. Alajuela will play against the league's second-placed Escazu in San Jose and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Siquirres: A.Jermiaine 22+9reb+2ast, K.Ramirez 21+1reb+1ast, A.Reinner 16+7reb+3ast, J.Villegas 13+5reb+4ast, S.Kervin 6+2reb, B.Andric 6+3reb
Alajuela: R.Jeikol 14+10reb+4ast, P.Johan 11+6reb+3ast, M.Alonso 10+14reb, C.Fernandez 9+1ast, D.Josephe 8+6reb+1ast, O.Esteban 7+1reb+1ast

ARBA - Escazu 63-60

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Escazu (3-1) in San Jose on Thursday night. Visitors were edged by ARBA (4-0) 63-60. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Escazu. It was a key game for the top position in the league. ARBA forced 21 Escazu turnovers. The former international point guard Isaac Conejo (182-94) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The former international center Jeffney Anderson (208-83, college: Southern) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Steven Mcdonald (197-98) answered with 9 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Mario Herrera (174-97) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Escazu. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. ARBA have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 4-0 record. Escazu at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Siquirres. ARBA will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Escazu will play against Alajuela and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
ARBA: I.Conejo 16+8reb+8ast, J.Anderson 14+14reb+2ast, A.Ripool 9+3reb, D.Lynch 6+9reb+1ast, M.Zuniga 5, L.Conejo 5+4reb+1ast
Escazu: D.Shedden 13+3reb+2ast, S.Mcdonald 9+10reb, M.Herrera 9+8reb+2ast, G.Letford 8+5reb, V.Arias 7+7reb+1ast, C.Quesada 4+5reb+1ast

Heredia - Asobasca 76-71

Bottom-ranked Asobasca is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to fifth ranked Heredia (2-2) 76-71 on Saturday evening. Heredia forced 19 Asobasca turnovers. Panamanian Amir Alvarado (198-84, college: Marshalltown) nailed 21 points and 4 steals for the winning side and Herny Linton (-91) accounted for 18 points and 5 rebounds. Jorge Santiesteban came up with 17 points and 6 rebounds and Jorge Murillo (-81) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Asobasca in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Heredia moved-up to fourth place. Loser Asobasca still closes the standings with four games lost. Heredia will meet higher ranked Siquirres (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Asobasca will play against Perez Zeledon (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Heredia: A.Alvarado 21+4reb+1ast, L.Herny 18+5reb+1ast, D.Simmons 14+10reb, C.Alexander 7+5reb+1ast, B.Daniel 6, C.Tomas 5+1reb+1ast
Asobasca: S.Jorge 17+6reb, M.Jorge 16+5reb+1ast, A.Jaime 15+1reb, S.Dario 8+3reb, J.Chacon 7+1reb, A.Andrey 4+2reb

Siquirres - Perez Zeledon 87-77

Bottom-ranked Perez Zeledon is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to third ranked Siquirres (3-1) 87-77. 24 personal fouls committed by Perez Zeledon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international center Harold Mitchell (200-83) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. Kenneth Ramirez (-94) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. Four Siquirres players scored in double figures. Forward Fernando Fuentes (188-88) produced 17 points and 6 rebounds and Jonathan Loaiza added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Siquirres moved-up to second place, which they share with Escazu. Perez Zeledon at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Siquirres' next round opponent will be Heredia (#4). Perez Zeledon will play against Asobasca and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Siquirres: H.Mitchell 21+15reb+2ast, K.Ramirez 14+9reb, A.Jermiaine 10+7reb+1ast, C.Christopher 10+2reb+1ast, A.Reinner 9+2reb, J.Villegas 8+7reb+4ast
Perez Zeledon: F.Fuentes 17+6reb+1ast, J.Loaiza 16+7reb, G.Steven 9+2reb, F.Ruben 9+8reb, Q.Oscar 9+2reb+1ast, F.Mora 6+11reb+2ast



Tags : ISAAC CONEJO, COOPENAE ARBA, COSTA RICAN BASKETBALL