National League Round 7: Santa Maria lose to Punto Rojo

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Santa Maria (5-1) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Punto Rojo (6-2) 81-60. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Santa Maria. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 5-2 record before this meeting. Punto Rojo dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Maria's 28. Punto Rojo forced 20 Santa Maria turnovers and outrebounded them 46-21 including a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Argentinian Pablo Alderete (198-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Center Jordan Cardenas (206-1998, college: FNU) chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds. Venezuelan swingman Emilio Cappare (199-1990) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Punto Rojo have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Defending champion Santa Maria dropped to the second place with one game lost. Punto Rojo are looking forward to face Triple E-Uda (#3) in Gualaceo in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santa Maria will play at home against Caballeros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Gualaceo. Leader Caballeros faced 3rd placed Triple E-Uda. Guests from Tulcan (0-0) smashed host Triple E-Uda (4-3) 98-75. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Robert Colon (187-1999, college: WSSU) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Mason Harrell contributed with 13 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Guard Eric Worthey (196-1991, college: Lourdes) answered with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for Triple E-Uda. Triple E-Uda's coach Santiago Espinoza gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Newly promoted Caballeros maintains th place with 0-0 record. Triple E-Uda at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Caballeros will play against league's second-placed Santa Maria in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Triple E-Uda will play against the league's leader Punto Rojo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 7 Club Valle defeated Fuerza M. in a road game 80-66.
The best stats of 7th round was 12 points and 9 rebounds by Abraham Barahona of Punto Rojo.

Fuerza M. - Club Valle 66-80

There was a minor upset when 4th placed Fuerza M. (2-5) was defeated at home by sixth ranked Club Valle (2-2) 80-66. Club Valle forced 21 Fuerza M. turnovers and outrebounded them 49-33 including a 41-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American James Edmond Jr (205-1991, college: Lincoln, MO) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 9 rebounds. Guard Yussephe Castaneda (185-2000) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Juan Rojas (-1989) answered with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and the former international guard Jonathan Arboleda (190-1995) added 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) in the effort for Fuerza M.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Club Valle moved-up to fourth place. Fuerza M. lost fifth consecutive game. Fuerza M. at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the fifth position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Fuerza M.: J.Arboleda 17+4reb+1ast, R.Juan 13+11reb, A.Ponce 11+3reb, F.Yassel 10+7reb+4ast, G.Eder 7+4reb+2ast, H.Nerio 4+2reb+1ast
Club Valle: J.Edmond Jr. 19+9reb+2ast, E.Mateo 19+2reb, L.Bryan 12+4reb, Y.Castaneda 12+12reb+3ast, T.Felix 7+6reb+2ast, D.Sanz 6+12reb+3ast

Triple E-Uda - Caballeros 75-98

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Gualaceo. Leader Caballeros faced 3rd placed Triple E-Uda. Guests from Tulcan (0-0) smashed host Triple E-Uda (4-3) 98-75. Caballeros made 28-of-33 charity shots (84.8 percent) during the game. Caballeros outrebounded Triple E-Uda 54-33 including a 43-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Triple E-Uda was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Robert Colon (187-1999, college: WSSU) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Power forward Mason Harrell (203-1997, college: WSSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Five Caballeros players scored in double figures. Guard Eric Worthey (196-1991, college: Lourdes) answered with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Malik Jenkins (201-1989) added 19 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Triple E-Uda. Triple E-Uda's coach Santiago Espinoza gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Newly promoted Caballeros maintains th place with 0-0 record. Triple E-Uda at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Caballeros will play against league's second-placed Santa Maria in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Triple E-Uda will play against the league's leader Punto Rojo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Santa Maria - Punto Rojo 60-81

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Santa Maria (5-1) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Punto Rojo (6-2) 81-60. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Santa Maria. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 5-2 record before this meeting. Punto Rojo dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Maria's 28. Punto Rojo forced 20 Santa Maria turnovers and outrebounded them 46-21 including a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Argentinian Pablo Alderete (198-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Center Jordan Cardenas (206-1998, college: FNU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds. Five Punto Rojo players scored in double figures. Venezuelan swingman Emilio Cappare (199-1990) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Jonathan Guzman (201-1998, college: Antelope Valley) added 15 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Punto Rojo have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Defending champion Santa Maria dropped to the second place with one game lost. Punto Rojo are looking forward to face Triple E-Uda (#3) in Gualaceo in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santa Maria will play at home against Caballeros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santa Maria: E.Cappare 21+9reb+3ast, J.Guzman 15+10reb+2ast, N.Alejandro 12+1reb+2ast, R.Icaza 7+1reb+2ast, D.Jorge 3, M.Renan 0
Punto Rojo: P.Alderete 20+11reb+4ast, C.Johu 13+2reb, B.Abraham 12+9reb+2ast, L.Rideau 12+5reb+7ast, J.Cardenas 11+14reb, M.Trelles 10+2reb+1ast



Tags : PABLO ALDERETE, PUNTO ROJO LR, ECUADORIAN BASKETBALL