LNB Round 7 (Regular Season): #1 Reales are defeated by Soles

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Reales (8-2) in La Vega on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Soles (3-7) 92-88. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for Brazilian center Dikembe Andre (206-1999, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Naturalized American Luis Martinez (198-1984, college: William Pater.) helped adding 13 points and 13 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Soles maintains seventh place with 3-7 record. Defending champion Reales still keep top position with two games lost. Soles are looking forward to face league's second-placed Caneros in La Romana in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Reales will play on the road against Marineros in Puerto Plata and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in La Romana. Second ranked Caneros (7-3) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Metros (5-7) 94-92 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Metros. It was an exceptional evening for Nigerian power forward Talib Zanna (206-1990, college: Pittsburgh, agency: Diamond Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds. Raimer Santana accounted for 22 points and 4 assists. American forward Emmitt Williams (198-1998, college: LSU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for Metros in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Caneros have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-3 record behind leader Reales. Metros at the other side keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Caneros will play against Soles (#7) in Santo Domingo in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Metros will play at home against Leones and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Santo Domingo between Leones and Soles. Eighth ranked Leones (2-8) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Soles (3-7). Leones managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Saturday evening. Yeison Rivera fired 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. Dikembe Andre produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Leones maintains eighth place with 2-8 record. Loser Soles keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Leones will meet higher ranked Metros (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Soles will play against the league's second-placed Caneros having rather not much hope for a victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 7: bottom-ranked Leones lost to Titanes on the opponent's court 75-87. Indios unfortunately lost to Metros in a home game 86-97. Caneros managed to beat Marineros on the road 97-92. Reales defeated Titanes on its own court 86-76. Marineros were beaten by Indios in San Francisco 83-73.



Reales - Soles 88-92

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Reales (8-2) in La Vega on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Soles (3-7) 92-88. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for Brazilian center Dikembe Andre (206-1999, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Naturalized American Luis Martinez (198-1984, college: William Pater.) helped adding 13 points and 13 rebounds. Martinez is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import point guard Quade Green (183-1998, college: Washington, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 24 points and 7 assists. Five Soles and four Reales players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Soles maintains seventh place with 3-7 record. Defending champion Reales still keep top position with two games lost. Soles are looking forward to face league's second-placed Caneros in La Romana in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Reales will play on the road against Marineros in Puerto Plata and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Soles: D.Andre 21+6reb+6ast, J.Tolbert 14+6reb+4ast, L.Martinez 13+13reb+3ast, S.Verplancken 13+4reb+2ast, Z.Cooks 11+2reb+5ast, M.Guzman 8+3reb+2ast
Reales: Q.Green 24+4reb+7ast, S.Manley 19+17reb+1ast, N.Carter 14+3reb+6ast, L.Duarte 13+3reb+1ast, A.Pena 9+3reb+1ast, V.Martinez 5+2reb+3ast

Titanes - Leones 87-75

Very expected game in San Cristobal where 8th ranked Leones (2-8) were defeated by third ranked Titanes (5-4) 87-75 on Wednesday. Titanes looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners. American Keith Jordan (198-1998, college: SHU) chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Emmitt Holt (201-1996, college: Providence) produced 18 points and 6 rebounds and Leo Cabrera added 13 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Titanes went down to fourth position due to points difference. Leones lost their seventh game in a row. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Titanes will meet at home higher ranked Indios (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Leones will play against Metros (#6) in Santiago and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Titanes: K.Jordan 26+8reb+1ast, T.Larrier 18+10reb+2ast, R.Bautista 15+9reb+13ast, K.Jackson 12+2reb+3ast, R.Bautista 7+1reb+2ast, G.Adon 5
Leones: E.Holt 18+6reb+2ast, L.Cabrera 13+11reb, K.Perez 13+2reb+1ast, A.Puello 10+5reb, D.Carrasco 5+2reb, B.Griffin 5+4reb+5ast

Indios - Metros 86-97

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in San Francisco where sixth ranked Metros (5-7) defeated 5th ranked Indios (6-5) 97-86 on Friday. Metros made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. American guard SirJabari Rice (193-1998, college: Texas) fired 25 points and 7 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Swingman Jean-Karlo Iciano (189-1997, college: Dyersburg St., agency: BMS Sport Agency) chipped in 24 points. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) produced 31 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import power forward Justin Patton (216-1997, college: Creighton) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Metros maintains sixth place with 5-7 record. Loser Indios dropped to the third position with five games lost. Metros will meet at home bottom-ranked Leones (#8) in the next round. Indios will play against Titanes (#4) in San Cristobal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Metros: S.Rice 25+4reb+7ast, J.Iciano 24+3reb+1ast, J.Tilmon Jr. 16+7reb, D.Mintz 9+3reb+2ast, M.Dicent 8+2reb+5ast, T.Owens 7+4reb+2ast
Indios: T.Farmer 31+5reb+3ast, J.Flores 12+1reb+5ast, J.Patton 12+6reb+2ast, E.Tejeda 8+5reb+2ast, D.Edge 6+2reb+1ast, J.Allen 4+2reb+1ast

Marineros - Caneros 92-97

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 3rd placed Marineros' (5-5) home loss to second ranked Caneros (7-3) 92-97 on Friday. Caneros shot 60.3 percent from the field. Yeison Colome (190-1996, agency: BMS Sport Agency) fired 28 points and 4 assists for the winners. Point guard Raimer Santana (183-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) chipped in 21 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Bernardo Polanco (189-1994, agency: BMS Sport Agency) produced 24 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Jonatan Bello (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Caneros. They maintain second place with 7-3 record behind leader Reales. Loser Marineros dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Caneros will meet at home Soles (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Marineros will play against the league's leader Reales and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caneros: Y.Colome 28+4reb+4ast, R.Santana 21+3reb+2ast, T.Cooper 15+2reb+3ast, E.Suero 8+3reb, T.Zanna 6+4reb+1ast, M.Herasme 5+2reb+1ast
Marineros: B.Polanco 24+5reb, J.Bello 19+5reb+4ast, A.Mirambeaux 16+4reb+2ast, B.De La Cruz 8+10reb+1ast, C.Carela 7+1reb+3ast, J.Wilson-Frame 6+3ast

Soles - Leones 82-83

A very close game took place in Santo Domingo between Leones and Soles. Eighth ranked Leones (2-8) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Soles (3-7). Leones managed to escape with a 1-point win 83-82 on Saturday evening. Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Soles' 28. Yeison Rivera (178-1999) fired 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. American forward Emmitt Holt (201-1996, college: Providence) chipped in 19 points. Brazilian center Dikembe Andre (206-1999, agency: BMS Sport Agency) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Steven Verplancken (193-2000, college: Weber St.) added 21 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Leones maintains eighth place with 2-8 record. Loser Soles keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Leones will meet higher ranked Metros (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Soles will play against the league's second-placed Caneros having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Leones: E.Holt 19+4reb+1ast, Y.Rivera 15+4reb+5ast, H.Ortiz 12+7reb+2ast, J.Quezada 9+5reb, L.Cabrera 8+4reb, D.Carrasco 6+6reb
Soles: S.Verplancken 21+2reb+1ast, D.Andre 11+12reb+4ast, L.Martinez 9+2reb+1ast, O.Liriano 8+2reb+1ast, J.Salazar 4+2ast, J.Tolbert 4+5reb+1ast

Reales - Titanes 86-76

Everything went according to plan in La Vega where first ranked Reales (8-2) beat 3rd placed Titanes (5-4) 86-76 on Saturday. American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington, agency: BMS Sport Agency) fired 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Forward Yeikson Montero (196-1996, college: EMU) chipped in 24 points and 9 rebounds. Point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) produced 16 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and American forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) added 18 points respectively for lost side. Five Titanes players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-2 record. Loser Titanes dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Reales will meet Marineros (#5) in the next round. Titanes will play against Indios and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Reales: N.Carter 26+7reb+4ast, Y.Montero 24+9reb+2ast, Q.Green 16+5reb+6ast, A.Pena 8+2reb+3ast, A.Acevedo 4+2reb+1ast, M.Simon 4+5reb
Titanes: T.Larrier 18+3reb+1ast, R.Bautista 16+6reb+8ast, K.Jordan 10+6reb+1ast, M.Evangelista 10+6reb, K.Jackson 10+4reb+4ast, G.Adon 5+3reb+1ast

Indios - Marineros 83-73

There was a minor upset in San Francisco where 3rd placed Marineros (5-5) were defeated by fifth ranked Indios (6-5) 83-73 on Sunday. Naturalized American point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 23 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Isaac Hamilton (196-1994, college: UCLA) produced 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and U.S. Virgin Islands power forward Rakeem Christmas (206-1991, college: Syracuse) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Marineros players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Indios moved-up to third place. Loser Marineros dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Indios will meet Titanes (#4) in the next round. Marineros will play against the league's leader Reales and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Indios: E.Polanco 23+6reb+3ast, T.Farmer 20+7reb+4ast, J.Patton 16+8reb+1ast, L.Ferreiras 9+8reb, H.Gravett 8+3reb+3ast, N.Morillo 3+2reb+2ast
Marineros: J.Wilson-Frame 17+3reb+1ast, I.Hamilton 16+5reb+4ast, R.Christmas 15+9reb, J.Bello 10+1reb+2ast, S.Ballas 4+1reb, B.De La Cruz 4+6reb+1ast

Caneros - Metros 94-92

Important game to mention about took place in La Romana. Second ranked Caneros (7-3) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Metros (5-7) 94-92 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Metros. Caneros forced 20 Metros turnovers. Metros were plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for Nigerian power forward Talib Zanna (206-1990, college: Pittsburgh, agency: Diamond Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds. Point guard Raimer Santana (183-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) accounted for 22 points and 4 assists for the winning side. American forward Emmitt Williams (198-1998, college: LSU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and center Eloy Vargas (211-1988, college: Kentucky, agency: BIG) added 16 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Metros in the defeat. Four Metros players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Caneros have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-3 record behind leader Reales. Metros at the other side keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Caneros will play against Soles (#7) in Santo Domingo in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Metros will play at home against Leones and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Caneros: R.Santana 22+3reb+4ast, T.Zanna 15+16reb+1ast, L.Belbere 10+7reb+2ast, E.Suero 9+4reb+1ast, M.Herasme 9+1reb, T.Cooper 9+2reb
Metros: E.Williams 20+10reb+4ast, F.Gaines 18+2reb+1ast, E.Vargas 16+14reb+2ast, J.Iciano 14+5reb+3ast, M.Dicent 8+7reb+1ast, O.Garcia 8+2reb+3ast