Liga Desarrollo Round 9: No surprise as #1 Punto Rojo defeat Santa Maria

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Liga Desarrollo top team - Punto Rojo (7-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Santa Maria (1-6) 71-51. Punto Rojo dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Maria's 24. Punto Rojo forced 22 Santa Maria turnovers and outrebounded them 50-29 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international power forward Eduard Caicedo (196-90) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners and power forward Jorge Cabezas (-99) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was center Nelson Ayovi (-0) with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Punto Rojo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-1 record. Santa Maria lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. Punto Rojo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Maria will play on the road against Importadora (#3) in Ambato and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.

In the last two games of round 9 Rincon dC won against Caballeros on the opponent's court 74-64. Piratas managed to outperform Sacramento in a home game 77-66.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points and 5 steals by Arath Polanco of SACRAMENTO.

Santa Maria - Punto Rojo 51-71

Liga Desarrollo top team - Punto Rojo (7-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Santa Maria (1-6) 71-51. Punto Rojo dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Maria's 24. Punto Rojo forced 22 Santa Maria turnovers and outrebounded them 50-29 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international power forward Eduard Caicedo (196-90) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners and power forward Jorge Cabezas (-99) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was center Nelson Ayovi (-0) with 12 points and 9 rebounds and guard Dylan Reyes (-2) scored 10 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Punto Rojo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-1 record. Santa Maria lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. Punto Rojo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Maria will play on the road against Importadora (#3) in Ambato and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Punto Rojo: E.Caicedo 20+13reb+1ast, C.Jorge 11+8reb, A.Janer 10+1reb+3ast, O.Yanez 7+5reb, D.Michael 6+1reb+1ast, M.Kevin 5+4reb+1ast
Santa Maria: A.Nelson 12+9reb+1ast, E.Mateo 11+4reb, R.Dylan 10+3reb+3ast, R.Erick 8+3reb, W.Daniel Guayaquil 2+1reb+1ast, C.Mathias 2+1reb

Caballeros - Rincon dC 64-74

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Ambato where 4th placed Caballeros (3-4) were defeated by fifth ranked Rincon dC (4-4) 74-64 on Thursday. Rincon dC dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Caballeros' 32. Rincon dC forced 26 Caballeros turnovers. Guard Hector Rivera (-3) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and Rodrigo Roldan (-98) chipped in 8 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was center Jordan Cardenas (206-98, college: FNU) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and forward Mairon Cuero (190-89) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Rincon dC moved-up to fourth place. Caballeros at the other side dropped to the fifth position with four games lost. Rincon dC are looking forward to face league's second-placed Piratas in Ibarra in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Caballeros will play on the road against Sacramento in Quito and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rincon dC: R.Hector 30+18reb, G.Jhostyn 13+4reb, G.Haro 11+5reb, R.Roldan 8+10reb+2ast, D.Aparicio 6+3reb+5ast, S.Roy 4+2reb
Caballeros: M.Cuero 20+11reb, J.Cardenas 18+16reb, Y.Castaneda 13+5reb, Q.John 6+5reb+1ast, V.Jordy 3+7reb+1ast, C.Tomas 3+1ast

Piratas - Sacramento 77-66

Rather predictable result in Ibarra where second ranked Piratas (6-1) defeated bottom-ranked Sacramento (1-7) 77-66 on Thursday. They outrebounded Sacramento 51-40 including a 37-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Erick Mecias (184-3) stepped up and scored 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and the former international swingman Luis Riascos (194-0) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Five Piratas players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Alfredo Salgado (-95) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and guard Arath Polanco (-3) scored 19 points and 5 steals. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Piratas. They maintain second place with 6-1 record behind leader Punto Rojo. Sacramento lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the bottom position with seven games lost. Piratas are looking forward to face Rincon dC (#4) in Babahoyo in the next round. Sacramento will play at home against Caballeros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Piratas: M.Erick 16+8reb, L.Riascos 13+7reb+3ast, A.Capurro 12+9reb+1ast, I.Angel 11+7reb+3ast, B.Victor 10+3reb+5ast, P.Cortez 8+6reb+2ast
SACRAMENTO: P.Arath 19+3reb+3ast, A.Salgado 16+12reb+3ast, B.Juan 11+4reb, L.Justin 7+8reb, N.Jose 5+10reb+2ast, J.Andres 4+3reb



Tags : EDUARD CAICEDO, PUNTO ROJO LR, ECUADORIAN BASKETBALL