LNB Round 5 (Second Stage): Metros keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Metros as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Metros edged 6th ranked Titanes in Santiago 88-86. Metros made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metros made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American swingman Jordan Hall (203-2002, college: St.Joseph's) who scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte) chipped in 15 points. point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Metros have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Defending champion Titanes keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Titanes will play next round against strong Reales trying to get back on the winning streak. Metros will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Caneros in La Romana.
Top ranked Indios (16-6) recorded its sixth loss in San Francisco. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Reales (11-11) 93-89. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Indios. American forward Corey Sanders (188-1997, college: Rutgers) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Ramon Galloway contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American guard BJ Fitzgerald (198-2000, college: Virginia St.) answered with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for Indios. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Reales moved-up to third place, which they share with Caneros and Heroes. Indios at the other side dropped to the second position with six games lost. Reales will play against Titanes (#6) in San Cristobal in the next round. Indios will play on the road against Heroes (#3) in Moca and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Moca between Heroes and Caneros. Fifth ranked Heroes (11-11) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Caneros (11-11). Heroes managed to escape with a 2-point win 92-90 in the game for the third place. Caleb Huffman stepped up and scored 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Yeison Colome responded with 31 points and 6 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Heroes moved-up to third place, which they share with Caneros and Reales. Heroes will meet at home league's second-placed Indios in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caneros will play against the league's leader Metros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.




Metros - Titanes 88-86

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Metros as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Metros edged 6th ranked Titanes in Santiago 88-86. Metros made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metros made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American swingman Jordan Hall (203-2002, college: St.Joseph's) who scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte) chipped in 15 points. point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals and Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) added 19 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) respectively for the guests. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Metros have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Defending champion Titanes keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Titanes will play next round against strong Reales trying to get back on the winning streak. Metros will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Caneros in La Romana.
Top scorers:
Metros: M.Jhery 15+3reb+3ast, C.Troy 13+4reb+2ast, H.Jordan 13+9reb+5ast, F.Anthony 11+5reb+2ast, S.Omar 10+4reb+3ast, S.Manley 8+5reb+1ast
Titanes: L.Montero 19+5reb+2ast, D.Colon 17, R.Ledo 13+3reb, R.Bautista 12+9reb+12ast, J.Araujo 11+6reb+3ast, R.Xavier 7+4reb+1ast

Indios - Reales 89-93

Top ranked Indios (16-6) recorded its sixth loss in San Francisco. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Reales (11-11) 93-89. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Indios. Reales made 24-of-29 charity shots (82.8 percent) during the game. American forward Corey Sanders (188-1997, college: Rutgers) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. American-Iraqi guard Ramon Galloway (190-1991, college: La Salle) contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American guard BJ Fitzgerald (198-2000, college: Virginia St.) answered with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Luismal Ferreiras (200-2003) added 18 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Indios. Five Reales and four Indios players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Reales moved-up to third place, which they share with Caneros and Heroes. Indios at the other side dropped to the second position with six games lost. Reales will play against Titanes (#6) in San Cristobal in the next round. Indios will play on the road against Heroes (#3) in Moca and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Reales: G.Ramon 19+7reb, M.Victor 17+3reb+4ast, B.Baez 16+8reb, S.Corey 15+5reb+7ast, A.Anphernee 12+4reb+2ast, K.Abbot 7+8reb
Indios: B.Fitzgerald 25+9reb+5ast, L.Ferreiras 18+13reb+3ast, R.Roque 11+3reb+2ast, F.Batista 11+4reb+3ast, M.Miranda 8+1reb, L.Thomas 7+5reb+1ast

Heroes - Caneros 92-90

A very close game took place in Moca between Heroes and Caneros. Fifth ranked Heroes (11-11) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Caneros (11-11). Heroes managed to escape with a 2-point win 92-90 in the game for the third place. Heroes made 25-of-33 free shots (75.8 percent) during the game. American guard Caleb Huffman (193-2000, college: Nicholls) stepped up and scored 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and guard Nargenis Ulloa (182-1997) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Five Heroes players scored in double figures. Yeison Colome (190-1996) responded with 31 points and 6 assists and American forward Marvin Smith (198-1995, college: UNCG) scored 20 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Heroes moved-up to third place, which they share with Caneros and Reales. Heroes will meet at home league's second-placed Indios in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caneros will play against the league's leader Metros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Heroes: B.Kam'Ron 20+1reb+3ast, H.Caleb 19+6reb+3ast, N.Ulloa 15+5reb+5ast, K.Nunez 15+5reb+2ast, O.Kevin 10+9reb+2ast, O.Ferreira 7+2reb+1ast
Caneros: Y.Colome 31+1reb+6ast, M.Smith 20+3reb+2ast, S.Eusebio 12+10reb+1ast, L.Lugic 7+7reb+2ast, B.Reymond 6+6reb, B.Polanco 5+6reb