National League Round 5 (Regular Season): Ambato S. defeat Santa Maria

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Santa Maria (8-2) on the court of second ranked Ambato S. on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Ambato S. 77-75. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Santa Maria. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Santa Maria 51-39 including a 20-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international point guard Martin Martinez (182-1995) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists. Forward Mairon Cuero (190-1989) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Alcides Martinez answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 13 rebounds for Santa Maria. Santa Maria's coach Miguel Salvitelli rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ambato S. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-3 record behind leader Santa Maria. Santa Maria at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost.
Another exciting game for Santa Maria (8-2) which played on the court of Ambato S. (7-3). First ranked Santa Maria won 78-72. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Ambato S.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Alcides Martinez stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and Tyiek Rivers chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. Santa Maria's coach Miguel Salvitelli allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Mairon Cuero (190-1989) responded with 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Santa Maria have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-2 record. Ambato S. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost.
An interesting game for Iccan (5-5) which hosted in Guayaquil 4th placed ATUC (0-10). Third ranked Iccan managed to get a 11-point victory 78-67. Yolvis Granado nailed 27 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Iccan's coach Wilson Gonzalez used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Carlos Rojas came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for ATUC in the defeat. Iccan maintains third place with 5-5 record having just three points less than leader Santa Maria. ATUC lost their tenth game in a row. They still close the standings with ten games lost.

In the last game of round 5 winless ATUC was beaten by Iccan on the road 73-68.



Iccan - ATUC 78-67

An interesting game for Iccan (5-5) which hosted in Guayaquil 4th placed ATUC (0-10). Third ranked Iccan managed to get a 11-point victory 78-67. Iccan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Forward Yolvis Granado (-1995) nailed 27 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and forward Geovanny Filian (-2004) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds. Iccan's coach Wilson Gonzalez used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Carlos Rojas came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and Emilio Romero added 24 points respectively for ATUC in the defeat. Iccan maintains third place with 5-5 record having just three points less than leader Santa Maria. ATUC lost their tenth game in a row. They still close the standings with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Iccan: Y.Granado 27+6reb, G.Filian 14+9reb+3ast, L.Johnson 13+4reb+4ast, Y.Castaneda 8+3reb+8ast, J.Espinoza 7+4reb+2ast, M.Pelaez 5
ATUC: E.Romero 24+2reb+3ast, C.Rojas 15+18reb+4ast, P.Flores 8+1ast, C.Espinoza 5+8reb+2ast, A.Milan 3+5reb+3ast, J.Barcenes 3+1reb

Ambato S. - Santa Maria 77-75

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Santa Maria (8-2) on the court of second ranked Ambato S. on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Ambato S. 77-75. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Santa Maria. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Santa Maria 51-39 including a 20-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international point guard Martin Martinez (182-1995) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists. Forward Mairon Cuero (190-1989) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Four Ambato S. players scored in double figures. Alcides Martinez answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 13 rebounds and American swingman Tyiek Rivers (198-2001, college: Sullivan CC) added 23 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Santa Maria. Santa Maria's coach Miguel Salvitelli rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ambato S. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-3 record behind leader Santa Maria. Santa Maria at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Ambato S.: M.Martinez 22+16reb+9ast, M.Cuero 14+4reb+3ast, J.Quinonez 14+3reb, B.Alvarez 12+6reb+1ast, D.Saenz 11+5reb+1ast, D.Duarte 4+13reb+1ast
Santa Maria: A.Martinez 29+13reb, T.Rivers 23+6reb+2ast, J.Granados 5+3reb+6ast, L.Guzman 5+1reb, R.Icaza 5+2reb, N.Mina 4+7reb

Iccan - ATUC 73-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Iccan's (5-5) home victory over bottom-ranked ATUC (0-10) in Guayaquil 73-68 on Saturday. Forward Yolvis Granado (-1995) nailed a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and guard Yussephe Castaneda (185-2000) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Iccan players scored in double figures. Iccan's coach Wilson Gonzalez used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Carlos Rojas came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists and Cesar Espinoza (-1987) added 6 points and 10 rebounds respectively for ATUC in the defeat. Iccan maintains third place with 5-5 record having just three points less than leader Santa Maria. ATUC lost their tenth game in a row. They still close the standings with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Iccan: Y.Castaneda 18+8reb, Y.Granado 14+13reb, D.Arroyo 13+7reb+1ast, M.Pelaez 10+4reb+5ast, L.Johnson 9+6reb+2ast, J.Espinoza 4+2reb
ATUC: C.Rojas 22+19reb+4ast, E.Romero 10+3reb+1ast, A.Milan 7+6reb, C.Espinoza 6+10reb+3ast, P.Flores 4+4reb+3ast, J.Armijos 0

Ambato S. - Santa Maria 72-78

Another exciting game for Santa Maria (8-2) which played on the court of Ambato S. (7-3). First ranked Santa Maria won 78-72. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Ambato S.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Alcides Martinez stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and American swingman Tyiek Rivers (198-2001, college: Sullivan CC) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. Santa Maria's coach Miguel Salvitelli allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Mairon Cuero (190-1989) responded with 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and guard Bady Alvarez (188-2004) scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Santa Maria have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-2 record. Ambato S. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Santa Maria: A.Martinez 24+11reb, T.Rivers 13+9reb+1ast, K.Preciado 10+2reb, R.Icaza 9+1reb+1ast, L.Navarro 6+6reb+1ast, J.Granados 5+2reb+3ast
Ambato S.: M.Cuero 36+8reb+2ast, B.Alvarez 17+7reb+2ast, D.Saenz 7+2reb+1ast, D.Duarte 6+9reb, M.Martinez 3+8reb+11ast, J.Quinonez 2+2reb+1ast