LBS Round 6: Heredia defeat Siquirres in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Siquirres (3-2) to fourth ranked Heredia (3-2) 61-60 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Siquirres. Panamanian Amir Alvarado (198-84, college: Marshalltown) had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and Herny Linton (-91) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international center Harold Mitchell (200-83) with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Heredia moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Siquirres. Heredia is looking forward to face Asobasca (#6) in the next round. Siquirres will play against Perez Zeledon and are hoping to win this game.
Seventh ranked Asobasca (1-4) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Perez Zeledon (1-4) 75-74 in the fight for the sixth place. Guard Jaime Alfaro (185-3) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and Jorge Murillo supported him with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds by the former international forward Yackie Acuna (190-80) did not help to save the game for Perez Zeledon. Asobasca left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Perez Zeledon. Asobasca will play against higher ranked Heredia (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perez Zeledon will play against Siquirres (#4) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Perez Zeledon has finally registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they outplayed Alajuela (2-5) 94-71 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was Yackie Acuna who scored 31 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Alonso Mora who recorded 13 points and 6 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. Perez Zeledon maintains sixth position with 1-4 record, which they share with Asobasca. It was Alajuela's third loss in a row. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Perez Zeledon will meet at home higher ranked Siquirres (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Alajuela will play against the league's leader ARBA and hope to secure a win.
Second ranked Escazu (4-1) crushed at home 5th ranked Alajuela (2-5) by 36 points 72-36, which is the biggest margin this round. It was a good game for Daniel Shedden who led his team to a victory with 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Escazu maintains second position with 4-1 record having just one point less than leader ARBA. Alajuela lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Escazu's next round opponent will be Heredia (#3), which may be the game of the day. Alajuela will play against the league's leader ARBA and hope to win that game.

Alajuela - Perez Zeledon 71-94

Perez Zeledon has finally registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in , where they outplayed Alajuela (2-5) 94-71 on Thursday. Perez Zeledon forced 23 Alajuela turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Yackie Acuna (190-80) who scored 31 points and 6 rebounds. Jose Granados chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Alonso Mora (-2) who recorded 13 points and 6 rebounds and Johan Paul added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who 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. Perez Zeledon maintains sixth position with 1-4 record, which they share with Asobasca. It was Alajuela's third loss in a row. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Perez Zeledon will meet at home higher ranked Siquirres (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Alajuela will play against the league's leader ARBA and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Perez Zeledon: Y.Acuna 31+6reb+3ast, J.Loaiza 12+1reb+2ast, F.Fuentes 12+2reb+2ast, G.Jose 10+9reb+2ast, Q.Oscar 9, C.Esteban 8+2reb+1ast
Alajuela: M.Alonso 13+6reb+2ast, O.Esteban 12+2ast, P.Johan 11+8reb, R.Jeikol 11+6reb, C.Fernandez 9+5reb+2ast, S.Caleb 5

Siquirres - Heredia 60-61

This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Siquirres (3-2) to fourth ranked Heredia (3-2) 61-60 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Siquirres. Panamanian Amir Alvarado (198-84, college: Marshalltown) had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and Herny Linton (-91) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international center Harold Mitchell (200-83) with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds and Kenneth Ramirez (-94) scored 9 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Heredia moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Siquirres. Heredia is looking forward to face Asobasca (#6) in the next round. Siquirres will play against Perez Zeledon and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Heredia: A.Alvarado 28+14reb, L.Herny 14+8reb+1ast, A.Luis 6+3reb, D.Simmons 5+8reb+3ast, C.Tomas 4+2reb+2ast, A.Fabio 2+3reb+1ast
Siquirres: C.Christopher 20+3reb, H.Mitchell 17+17reb, K.Ramirez 9+12reb+4ast, J.Villegas 7+6reb+1ast, A.Jermiaine 3+10reb+2ast, L.Johanan 2+3reb+1ast

Asobasca - Perez Zeledon 75-74

Seventh ranked Asobasca (1-4) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Perez Zeledon (1-4) 75-74 in the fight for the sixth place. Asobasca dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Perez Zeledon's 26. Guard Jaime Alfaro (185-3) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and Jorge Murillo (-81) supported him with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds by the former international forward Yackie Acuna (190-80) did not help to save the game for Perez Zeledon. Forward Fernando Fuentes (188-88) added 5 points and 13 rebounds. Asobasca left bottom position moving up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Perez Zeledon. Asobasca will play against higher ranked Heredia (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perez Zeledon will play against Siquirres (#4) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Asobasca: A.Jaime 27+11reb, M.Jorge 23+11reb, S.Dario 12+4reb+2ast, J.Chacon 7+6reb+3ast, M.Eduardo 4+2reb, C.Victor 2+2reb+1ast
Perez Zeledon: Y.Acuna 17+11reb, C.Esteban 12+3reb, J.Loaiza 6+1reb+1ast, F.Fuentes 5+13reb, Q.Oscar 4+1reb, D.Jimenez 2+2reb

Escazu - Alajuela 72-36

Second ranked Escazu (4-1) crushed at home 5th ranked Alajuela (2-5) by 36 points 72-36, which is the biggest margin this round. Escazu held Alajuela to an opponent 22.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 42.9 percent accuracy of the winners. Escazu forced 29 Alajuela turnovers and outrebounded them 55-34 including a 43-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for the former international guard Daniel Shedden (190-96, college: MSUB) who led his team to a victory with 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The former international center Steven Mcdonald (197-98) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Jeffry Tercero (-2) replied with 8 points and 6 rebounds and Josephe Delgado (-95) added 7 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Alajuela. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Escazu maintains second position with 4-1 record having just one point less than leader ARBA. Alajuela lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Escazu's next round opponent will be Heredia (#3), which may be the game of the day. Alajuela will play against the league's leader ARBA and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Escazu: D.Shedden 15+6reb+2ast, V.Arias 11+8reb+1ast, S.Mcdonald 10+10reb+1ast, J.Esquivel 9, C.Quesada 6+10reb+1ast, D.Shedden 6+5reb
Alajuela: T.Jeffry 8+6reb, D.Josephe 7+6reb, P.Johan 7+4reb, V.Sebastian 4+1reb, R.Jeikol 2+4reb+1ast, C.Fernandez 2+3reb



Tags : AMIR ALVARADO, ASOHEBA HEREDIA, COSTA RICAN BASKETBALL