LNB Round 7 (Regular Season): Metros beat Indios by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LNB took place in Santiago. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of their biggest opponent Indios (8-2) to first ranked Metros (9-1) 99-97 in the game for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Metros looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Anthony Fairley (205-1999, college: Miles, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Troy Cracknell (193-1999, college: Augusta) contributed with 20 points for the winners. American guard BJ Fitzgerald (198-2000, college: Virginia St.) answered with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for Indios. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Metros have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Indios at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. Metros are looking forward to face Marineros (#6) in Puerto Plata in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Indios will play on the road against Titanes (#5) in San Cristobal and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Bottom-ranked Soles managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of five consecutive losses. This time they outleveled eighth-ranked Leones in Santo Domingo 117-84. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 33-point difference suggests that Soles is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. It was a great evening for American guard Devontae Shuler (188-1998, college: Ole Miss) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Terry Larrier helped adding 19 points. At the losing side naturalized American Angel Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) responded with 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Soles (2-7) moved-up to eighth place. Leones lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with eight games lost. Soles will play against higher ranked Heroes (#3) in Moca in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Leones will play at home against Reales (#4) and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in San Cristobal was also quite interesting. 4th placed Reales (4-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Titanes (4-5). Titanes managed to secure a 4-point victory 87-83 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for Jhonatan Araujo who led the winners and scored 17 points and 5 assists. Sekou Sylla came up with 13 points and 8 rebounds for Reales in the defeat. Reales' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Titanes have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Marineros. Loser Reales keep the fourth position with four games lost. Titanes will meet at home league's second-placed Indios in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Reales will play against Leones in Santo Domingo and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Leones were beaten by Marineros on the road 95-89. Bottom-ranked Soles lost to Heroes on its own court 86-88. Heroes managed to outperform Caneros in Moca 79-70.



Marineros - Leones 95-89

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Marineros (4-5) beat bottom-ranked Leones (2-8) in Puerto Plata 95-89 on Tuesday. Marineros looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Leones' players. It was an exceptional evening for forward Andersson Mejia (201-2000, college: Texas A&M) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals. Nigerian-American power forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St.) accounted for 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Marineros' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Reggie Quezada (190, college: USAO) came up with 31 points and 4 assists and naturalized American Angel Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) added 16 points respectively for Leones in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Marineros maintains fifth place with 4-5 record, which they share with Titanes. Leones lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with eight games lost. Marineros will meet at home league's leader Metros in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Leones will play against Reales (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Leones: Q.Reggie 31+4reb+4ast, A.Gerardo Suero 16+4reb, R.Thomas 14+4reb+1ast, R.Yeison 11+3reb, K.Richardson 9+6reb+1ast, L.Jose 6+4reb+2ast
Marineros: M.Andersson 21+15reb+11ast, O.Emmanuel 19+9reb+4ast, F.Luis 13+1reb+3ast, P.Rich 12+3reb+2ast, C.Carlos 9+2reb+2ast, A.Fulgencio 6+1reb+4ast

Soles - Heroes 86-88

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Soles (2-7) were edged by sixth ranked Heroes (5-4) in Santo Domingo 88-86 on Tuesday. It was an exceptional evening for center Eloy Vargas (211-1988, college: Kentucky, agency: BIG) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds. American guard Caleb Huffman (193-2000, college: Nicholls) accounted for 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Power forward Jean Quezada (206-2000) came up with 15 points and 21 rebounds and American forward Levi Bradley (201-1996, college: NIU, agency: BIG) added 30 points respectively for Soles in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Heroes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Soles lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with seven games lost. Heroes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Soles will play again against Heroes (#3) in Moca and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Soles: L.Bradley 30+3reb+2ast, J.Quezada 15+21reb+2ast, J.Bello 13+6reb+10ast, T.Larrier 10+3reb+2ast, D.Shuler 8+2reb+2ast, C.Dimas 4+1reb
Heroes: H.Caleb 21+8reb, V.Jaison 19+2reb+3ast, V.Eloy 13+15reb+2ast, C.Jack 11+7reb+1ast, O.Ferreira 9+3reb+1ast, O.Kevin 7+7reb+1ast

Metros - Indios 99-97

The most exciting game of round 7 in the LNB took place in Santiago. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of their biggest opponent Indios (8-2) to first ranked Metros (9-1) 99-97 in the game for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Metros looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Anthony Fairley (205-1999, college: Miles, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Troy Cracknell (193-1999, college: Augusta) contributed with 20 points for the winners. Five Metros players scored in double figures. American guard BJ Fitzgerald (198-2000, college: Virginia St.) answered with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and Luismal Ferreiras (200-2003) added 25 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Indios. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Metros have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Indios at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. Metros are looking forward to face Marineros (#6) in Puerto Plata in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Indios will play on the road against Titanes (#5) in San Cristobal and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Indios: L.Ferreiras 25+10reb, B.Fitzgerald 24+7reb+8ast, C.Brown Jr. 18+4reb+2ast, W.Austin 8+9reb+2ast, T.Edgar 7+1reb+4ast, J.Rosario 4+2reb
Metros: C.Troy 20+1reb+2ast, G.Jordan 15+2reb+2ast, F.Anthony 15+6reb+5ast, H.Jordan 14+4reb+4ast, D.Adris 10+5reb+8ast, B.Mendez 9+2reb+1ast

Titanes - Reales 87-83

The game in San Cristobal was also quite interesting. 4th placed Reales (4-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Titanes (4-5). Titanes managed to secure a 4-point victory 87-83 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for naturalized Spanish power forward Jhonatan Araujo (206-1996) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 5 assists. American guard Shaun Williams (192-2000, college: OBU) accounted for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Five Titanes players scored in double figures. Guinean-American forward Sekou Sylla (195-2000, college: Towson) came up with 13 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Malachi Richardson (197-1996, college: Syracuse) added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Reales in the defeat. Reales' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Titanes have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Marineros. Loser Reales keep the fourth position with four games lost. Titanes will meet at home league's second-placed Indios in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Reales will play against Leones in Santo Domingo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Reales: S.Sylla 13+8reb+1ast, A.Acevedo 11+2reb+4ast, F.Alanzo 10+2reb+1ast, A.Mirambeaux 10+6reb+2ast, S.Randy 9+4reb+2ast, D.McNeill 8+1reb+1ast
Titanes: A.Jhonatan 17+4reb+5ast, X.Reyes 16+5reb+1ast, F.Romeao 15+1reb+4ast, T.Dana 13+3reb, W.Shaun 12+6reb+6ast, W.Tyree 11+7reb

Caneros - Heroes 70-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Heroes' (5-4) road victory over 7th ranked Caneros (4-6) in La Romana 79-70 on Thursday. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Caleb Huffman (193-2000, college: Nicholls) who led the winners and scored 18 points. Center Eloy Vargas (211-1988, college: Kentucky, agency: BIG) accounted for 7 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Marvin Smith (198-1995, college: UNCG) came up with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Eusebio Suero added 21 points respectively for Caneros in the defeat. Four Caneros players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Heroes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Loser Caneros keep the seventh position with six games lost. Heroes will meet at home Soles (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Caneros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Caneros: S.Eusebio 21+2reb+1ast, M.Smith 15+9reb+4ast, B.Martinez 13+7reb, B.Luixander 10+5reb+5ast, C.Boyd 6+6ast, B.Polanco 3+2reb
Heroes: H.Caleb 18+2reb+2ast, N.Ulloa 15+4reb+1ast, O.Kevin 11+5reb+2ast, G.Robert 9+4reb, C.Jack 8+7reb+1ast, V.Eloy 7+11reb+2ast

Soles - Leones 117-84

Bottom-ranked Soles managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of five consecutive losses. This time they outleveled eighth-ranked Leones in Santo Domingo 117-84. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 33-point difference suggests that Soles is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 34. It was a great evening for American guard Devontae Shuler (188-1998, college: Ole Miss) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). His fellow American import forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) helped adding 19 points. At the losing side naturalized American Angel Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) responded with 19 points and American power forward Kerry Richardson (202-1999, college: Morehouse) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. 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. Soles (2-7) moved-up to eighth place. Leones lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with eight games lost. Soles will play against higher ranked Heroes (#3) in Moca in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Leones will play at home against Reales (#4) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Leones: A.Gerardo Suero 19+2reb+2ast, Q.Reggie 17+1reb+1ast, K.Richardson 14+5reb, R.Thomas 13+1reb+1ast, L.Jose 9+4reb, C.Leo 6
Soles: S.Devontae 24+1reb+3ast, L.Terry 19+2reb+1ast, C.Reyes 16+2reb, B.Jonathan 12+4reb+4ast, B.Levi 11+3reb+1ast, D.Carrasco 9+5reb+2ast