LBS Round 1 of Semi-Finals. ARBA and Escazu record wins

Alajuela - ARBA 45-106

ARBA cruised past Alajuela in the opener. ARBA dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Alajuela's 20. ARBA forced 20 Alajuela turnovers and outrebounded them 67-31 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Alajuela's players. ARBA brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. The former international forward Amaurys Ripool (196-86) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international swingman Deon Lynch (-95) accounted for 21 points and 10 rebounds. Four ARBA players scored in double figures. Jhan Mayorga came up with 9 points and 11 rebounds and Alonso Mora (-2) added 8 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Alajuela 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.
Top scorers:
Alajuela: S.Caleb 11+2reb, M.Jhan 9+11reb+1ast, M.Alonso 8+6reb, C.Fernandez 7, M.Christopher 5+5reb+2ast, G.Saul 2+1reb+2ast
ARBA: D.Lynch 21+10reb, A.Ripool 19+14reb, L.Conejo 14+3reb+1ast, B.Milton 11+1reb+1ast, D.Jeikel 10+17reb+1ast, M.Jose 8+2reb

Heredia - Escazu 49-73

Escazu knocked down Heredia to take the lead. Escazu forced 24 Heredia turnovers and outrebounded them 55-32 including a 45-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international guard Daniel Shedden (190-96, college: MSUB) stepped up and scored 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Mario Herrera (174-97) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. Escazu's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Panamanian Amir Alvarado (198-84, college: Marshalltown) responded with 20 points and 9 rebounds and the former international power forward Daniel Simmons (194-80) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.
Top scorers:
Heredia: A.Alvarado 20+9reb+3ast, D.Simmons 11+16reb+4ast, G.Victor 7, L.Herny 6+2reb+1ast, A.Luis 3, V.Kevin 2+2reb+2ast
Escazu: D.Shedden 19+9reb+1ast, A.Sanchez 13+1ast, M.Herrera 11+11reb+2ast, C.Quesada 6+8reb+1ast, S.Mcdonald 6+2reb+1ast, J.Esquivel 4+3reb+1ast



Tags : AMAURYS RIPOOL, COOPENAE ARBA, COSTA RICAN BASKETBALL