Round 3 (Second Stage): Gimnasia and Instituto advance into semis

The Second Stage in Liga Sudamericana just ended. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Paraguayan San Jose (3-2) in Asuncion on Thursday night. Hosts were edged by Argentinian Gimnasia (3-2) 77-75. San Jose was trailing by 7 points at halftime but managed to get 2-point lead after three quarters before a 18-14 charge of Gimnasia, which allowed them to win the game. They made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. His fellow American import center Gerard De Vaughn (205-1988, college: Stillman) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Jeremiah Wood (200-1985) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. San Jose's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
An exciting game was played in Montevideo. Argentinian Instituto faced Uruguayan Penarol. Guests from Cordoba (4-2) defeated host Penarol (2-3) 64-52. It was a good game for American forward Nathan Hoover (193-1997, college: Wofford) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Javier Saiz contributed with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Italian-Uruguayan guard Jayson Granger (191-1989) answered with 18 points and 6 rebounds for Penarol.




San Jose - Gimnasia 75-77

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Paraguayan San Jose (3-2) in Asuncion on Thursday night. Hosts were edged by Argentinian Gimnasia (3-2) 77-75. San Jose was trailing by 7 points at halftime but managed to get 2-point lead after three quarters before a 18-14 charge of Gimnasia, which allowed them to win the game. They made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. His fellow American import center Gerard De Vaughn (205-1988, college: Stillman) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. De Vaughn is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Gimnasia players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Jeremiah Wood (200-1985) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and Argentinian forward Franco Benitez (199-1994) added 13 points respectively. San Jose's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
San Jose: J.Wood 15+10reb+7ast, F.Benitez 13+3reb, N.Morillo 11+1ast, G.Marcos 8+2reb, N.Paletta 8+1reb+4ast, A.Peralta 6+9reb
Gimnasia: G.Mariani 18+2reb+2ast, J.Webster 16+7reb+10ast, B.Nazione 16+6reb, G.De Vaughn 14+7reb+1ast, P.Gramajo 9+5reb+5ast, S.Norberto 4+1reb+1ast

Penarol - Instituto 52-64

An exciting game was played in Montevideo. Argentinian Instituto faced Uruguayan Penarol. Guests from Cordoba (4-2) defeated host Penarol (2-3) 64-52. The game without a history. Instituto led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Instituto outrebounded Penarol 50-32 including a 38-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for American forward Nathan Hoover (193-1997, college: Wofford) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Javier Saiz (206-1994) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Italian-Uruguayan guard Jayson Granger (191-1989) answered with 18 points and 6 rebounds and forward Ignacio Xavier (195-1999, agency: Pro Sports) added 13 points in the effort for Penarol.
Top scorers:
Penarol: J.Granger 18+6reb, I.Xavier 13+4reb, J.Zanotta 8+3reb+4ast, S.Johnson 6+3reb+2ast, M.Dime 4+9reb, J.Gist 2+4reb
Instituto: N.Hoover 22+6reb+1ast, J.Saiz 10+11reb+2ast, B.Jefferson 8+5reb+1ast, M.Cosolito 7+7reb+2ast, B.Lugarini 6+9reb+1ast, L.Vildoza 5+5reb+4ast