National League Round 16: Punto Rojo defeats Guerreros in the closest game of the week

- September 30, 2018

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Eduard Caicedo

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in National League. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 16 in the National League took place in Santo Domingo. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th ranked Guerreros (10-6) to sixth ranked Punto Rojo (8-8) 76-75 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Guerreros. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Eduard Caicedo (196-90) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Puerto Rican guard Rasham Suarez (190-92, college: S.Mississippi) who added 28 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Charlie Shorter (185-90, college: MidAmerica Ch.) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Punto Rojo maintains sixth position with 8-8 record. Guerreros at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with Juvenil. Punto Rojo are looking forward to face Leones (#8) in Riobamba in the next round. Guerreros' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Santo Domingo to the arena ABC.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Barcelona (10-5) against fifth ranked Juvenil (10-6) on Friday night. Visiting Barcelona was defeated by Juvenil in Vinces 81-68. The winners were led by American guard Paul Marigney (191-82, college: St.Mary's, CA) who scored that evening 36 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and Randy Phillips supported him with 14 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by the former international center Carlos Carcelen (202-81) did not help to save the game for Barcelona. Barcelona's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Juvenil moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Guerreros. Barcelona lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with five games lost. Juvenil will play against bottom-ranked Triple E-Uda (#10) in Gualaceo in the next round where they are favorite. Barcelona will play at home against the league's second-placed Piratas (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
National League top team - Iccan (14-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed tenth ranked Triple E-Uda (1-15) in Guayaquil 107-63. Darol Hernandez fired 16 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Iccan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Eric Worthey produced 22 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Iccan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-2 record. Triple E-Uda lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Iccan will meet Portoviejo (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Triple E-Uda will play against Juvenil and hope to win that game.
The game in Riobamba supposed to be also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Portoviejo (7-9) played at the court of eighth ranked Leones (5-10). Leones smashed Portoviejo 108-76. It was a very good performance for Jamaal Samuel who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field). Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Leones have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 5-10 record. Portoviejo at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Leones' next round opponent will be higher ranked Punto Rojo (#6) and it may be quite challenging game.

In the last game of round 16 ABC lost to Piratas on the opponent's court 74-90.

Iccan - Triple E-Uda 107-63

National League top team - Iccan (14-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed tenth ranked Triple E-Uda (1-15) in Guayaquil 107-63. Iccan dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Triple E-Uda's 38. Iccan forced 25 Triple E-Uda turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Triple E-Uda's players. Cuban forward Darol Hernandez (206-89) fired 16 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Forward Mairon Cuero-Racines (190-89) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Iccan players scored in double figures. Iccan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Eric Worthey (196-91, college: Lourdes) produced 22 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Malik Jenkins (201-89) added 20 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Iccan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 14-2 record. Triple E-Uda lost eighth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Iccan will meet Portoviejo (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Triple E-Uda will play against Juvenil and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Iccan: M.Cuero Racines 20+6reb+1ast, J.Pauta 17+7reb+1ast, D.Hernandez 16+9reb+8ast, F.Bedoya 14+3reb+4ast, J.Pablo Alvarez 11+1reb+2ast, J.Riera 9+1reb+1ast
Triple E-Uda: E.Worthey 22+6reb+2ast, M.Jenkins 20+8reb+1ast, M.Romo 12+6reb+4ast, A.Elian 4+1reb+1ast, C.Paul 4+1reb+7ast, J.Cordero 1+1reb+1ast

Leones - Portoviejo 108-76

The game in Riobamba supposed to be also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Portoviejo (7-9) played at the court of eighth ranked Leones (5-10). Leones smashed Portoviejo 108-76. Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Portoviejo's 36. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Portoviejo's players. It was a very good performance for U.S. Virgin Islands-American forward Jamaal Samuel (206-93, college: La-Monroe, agency: Basket Management Solutions) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field). American Aaron Harper (203-81, college: Mississippi) contributed with 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American power forward Zach Reynolds (206-90, college: N.Arizona) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Jordan Johnson (183-92, college: Tenn Tech) added 24 points in the effort for Portoviejo. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Leones have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 5-10 record. Portoviejo at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Leones' next round opponent will be higher ranked Punto Rojo (#6) and it may be quite challenging game.
Top scorers:
Leones: J.Samuel 30+6reb+2ast, A.Harper 23+5reb+2ast, A.Conchambay 17+3ast, G.Garrido 11+7reb+1ast, F.Perez 10+1ast, A.Johnson 7+4reb+6ast
Portoviejo: J.Johnson 24+4reb+3ast, Z.Reynolds 21+18reb+2ast, E.Cappare 21+2reb+2ast, D.Javier Ferrin 10+1reb, M.Jean 0+1reb, M.Erick 0

Guerreros - Punto Rojo 75-76

The most exciting game of round 16 in the National League took place in Santo Domingo. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th ranked Guerreros (10-6) to sixth ranked Punto Rojo (8-8) 76-75 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Guerreros. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Eduard Caicedo (196-90) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Puerto Rican guard Rasham Suarez (190-92, college: S.Mississippi) who added 28 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Charlie Shorter (185-90, college: MidAmerica Ch.) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import swingman Deilvez Yearby (200-87, college: PFW) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Punto Rojo maintains sixth position with 8-8 record. Guerreros at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with Juvenil. Punto Rojo are looking forward to face Leones (#8) in Riobamba in the next round. Guerreros' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Santo Domingo to the arena ABC.
Top scorers:
Punto Rojo: R.Suarez 28+5reb+4ast, E.Caicedo 24+14reb+1ast, B.Jackson 13+8reb+1ast, C.Orozco 5+2reb, M.Anibal 3+5reb, C.Delgado 2+5reb
Guerreros: C.Shorter 27+6reb+6ast, D.Yearby 22+12reb+3ast, N.Evans 14+8reb+2ast, H.Patricio 6+12reb+1ast, J.Ante 6+2reb, R.Pablo 0+1reb

Juvenil - Barcelona 81-68

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Barcelona (10-5) against fifth ranked Juvenil (10-6) on Friday night. Visiting Barcelona was defeated by Juvenil in Vinces 81-68. Juvenil forced 21 Barcelona turnovers. The winners were led by American guard Paul Marigney (191-82, college: St.Mary's, CA) who scored that evening 36 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the other American import center Randy Phillips (203-95, college: Radford) supported him with 14 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). Four Juvenil players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by the former international center Carlos Carcelen (202-81) did not help to save the game for Barcelona. American John Shodipo (196-88, college: DuPage JC) added 16 points for lost side. Barcelona's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Juvenil moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Guerreros. Barcelona lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with five games lost. Juvenil will play against bottom-ranked Triple E-Uda (#10) in Gualaceo in the next round where they are favorite. Barcelona will play at home against the league's second-placed Piratas (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juvenil: P.Marigney 36+6reb+2ast, R.Phillips 14+7reb+1ast, L.Hovey 10+6reb+1ast, V.Jordy 10+1reb, A.Guerra 5+5reb, M.Martinez 4
Barcelona: J.Shodipo 16+3ast, C.Carcelen 15+5reb+1ast, M.Alcides 13+1reb, P.Recalde 9+6reb+1ast, K.Bowman 7+8reb+1ast, Y.Vernaza 4+3reb

Piratas - ABC 90-74

Very expected game in Ibarra where 9th ranked ABC (2-14) was defeated by second ranked Piratas (12-4) 90-74. Piratas outrebounded ABC 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. Quite impressive performance for American power forward Willie Readus (201-92, college: Delta St., agency: DTMones) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The former international guard Jonathan Arboleda (190-95) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Piratas' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Cuban forward Yasmany Fundora (201-92) replied with 18 points and 8 rebounds and South Sudanese center Ajak Magot (211-92, college: Idaho St.) added 16 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for ABC. Piratas maintains second position with 12-4 record having just two points less than leader Iccan. ABC lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Piratas' next round opponent will be Barcelona (#3) in Guayaquil, which may be the game of the day. ABC's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santo Domingo Guerreros.
Top scorers:
Piratas: J.Arboleda 21+3reb+1ast, W.Readus 18+7reb+1ast, M.Cairo 15+6reb+2ast, L.Bryan 11+6reb, J.Romero 8+8reb+8ast, P.Cano 6+9reb+3ast
ABC: Y.Fundora 18+8reb+3ast, H.Nerio 16+6reb+4ast, A.Magot 16+11reb, O.Diego 9+1ast, Y.Castaneda 7+1reb, P.Kevin 6+2ast