LNBP Round 21 (Regular Season): Soles lose to Astros

The Regular Season in LNBP is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Soles (16-4) recorded its fourth loss in Guadalajara on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Astros (11-5) 81-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Soles. Astros made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992) who scored 8 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Cuban forward Yoanki Mencia (198-1997) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Georgian guard Joe Thomasson (193-1993, college: Wright St., agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astros maintains fifth place with 11-5 record. Soles at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Astros are looking forward to face league's second-placed Panteras in Aguascalientes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Soles will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Monterrey. Seventh ranked Mineros (11-8) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best Fuerza Regia (12-7) 101-100 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. It was a good game for Venezuelan forward Anyelo Cisneros (200-1997) who saved his team from a defeat with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Tavario Miller contributed with 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) answered with 22 points and 8 rebounds for Fuerza Regia. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mineros moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Lobos. Fuerza Regia at the other side dropped to the third position with seven games lost. They share it with Dorados. Mineros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fuerza Regia will play again at home against Mineros and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Soles delivered the sixteenth victory on Monday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Freseras (8-12) 85-73 in Irapuato. Joe Thomasson stepped up and scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Franger Pirela with 21 points and 4 assists. Soles maintains first place with 16-4 record. Loser Freseras dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Santos were defeated by Gambusinos in a road game 89-77. Lobos beat Abejas at home 91-87. Soles destroyed Freseros on the opponent's court 92-63. Diablos outscored Correcaminos in a home game 107-79. El Calor recorded a loss to Dorados on the road 91-89.
The best stats of 21th round was 18 points and 10 assists by Saeed Nelson of El Calor.



Astros - Soles 81-74:
Top ranked Soles (16-4) recorded its fourth loss in Guadalajara on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Astros (11-5) 81-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Soles. Astros made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992) who scored 8 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Cuban forward Yoanki Mencia (198-1997) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Georgian guard Joe Thomasson (193-1993, college: Wright St., agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Connor Zinaich (201-1997, college: Nova SE) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four Soles players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astros maintains fifth place with 11-5 record. Soles at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Astros are looking forward to face league's second-placed Panteras in Aguascalientes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Soles will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Astros: Z.Tomislav 16+2reb+2ast, S.A.J. 12+1ast, M.Yoanki 11+9reb+1ast, A.Avery 10+5ast, A.Jose 8+8reb+1ast, M.Rigoberto 8+6reb+8ast
Soles: J.Thomasson 15+5reb+5ast, C.Zinaich 13+5reb+1ast, J.Sakho 13+6reb, A.Dragan 12+1reb+1ast, J.Webster 7+4reb+5ast, H.Kaleb 6+3reb+1ast

Freseros - Soles 73-85:
Leader Soles delivered the sixteenth victory on Monday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Freseras (8-12) 85-73 in Irapuato. Soles made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. American-Georgian guard Joe Thomasson (193-1993, college: Wright St., agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) chipped in 21 points. Five Soles players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Spanish-Venezuelan swingman Franger Pirela (187-2002, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) with 21 points and 4 assists and American swingman Zach Brown (198-1995, college: Wichita St., agency: LHZ Sport Agency) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Soles maintains first place with 16-4 record. Loser Freseras dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Soles: K.Hunter 21+2reb+1ast, T.Joe 18+5reb+4ast, T.Erik 13+6reb+3ast, Z.Connor 12+12reb, D.Apic 10+5reb+1ast, W.Joshua 7+1reb+6ast
Freseros: F.Pirela 21+4reb+4ast, Z.Brown 19+5reb+2ast, B.Garrett 16+4ast, D.Fountain 9+7reb, T.Millin 8+4reb, G.Emiliano 0

Gambusinos - Santos 89-77:
There was no surprise when 12th ranked Santos (6-12) were defeated on the road by tenth ranked Gambusinos (8-11) 89-77 on Tuesday. Strangely Santos outrebounded Gambusinos 50-31 including a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international center Jose Zesati (205-1994) stepped up and scored 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American forward Max Agbonkpolo (206-2000, college: Montana St.) chipped in 20 points. Agbonkpolo is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Gambusinos' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Jahlil White (201-2001, college: La Salle) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds and the other American import point guard Rayshawn Mart (190-1998, college: Xavier, LA) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Gambusinos and five Santos players scored in double figures. Gambusinos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Diablos. Santos lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Gambusinos will again meet at home Santos (#12) in the next round. Santos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gambusinos: M.Agbonkpolo 20+4reb+1ast, D.Jezreel 18+4reb+1ast, Z.Jose 16+8reb+2ast, M.Lester 16+2reb+5ast, M.Charles 6+3reb+1ast, H.Kameron 6+2reb+2ast
Santos: J.White 18+15reb+3ast, R.Mart 14+7reb+1ast, C.Vogt 14+5reb, J.Calloway 13+5reb+1ast, J.Blake 11+6reb+4ast, M.Anthony 3+8reb+1ast

Lobos - Abejas 91-87:
No shocking result in a game in Puebla where sixth ranked Lobos (11-8) defeated 11th ranked Abejas (7-12) 91-87 on Tuesday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Lobos made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) stepped up and scored 26 points for the winners and forward Davon Jefferson (203-1986, college: USC) chipped in 10 points and 11 rebounds. Lobos' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was center Deion McClenton (208-1991, college: Keiser) with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and guard AJ Banks (188-1997, college: Wyoming) scored 22 points. Five Lobos and four Abejas players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Lobos maintains sixth place with 11-8 record, which they share with Mineros. Abejas lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Lobos will again meet at home Abejas (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Abejas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Lobos: J.Shaquille 26+2reb+2ast, M.Michael 11+4reb+1ast, D.Tyran 11+2reb+2ast, C.Jorge 11+1reb+1ast, J.Davon 10+11reb+1ast, W.Eric 8+3ast
Abejas: A.Banks 22+3reb+3ast, D.McClenton 17+12reb, D.Gaines 14+3reb+4ast, T.Nuno 13+7reb+4ast, S.Giovanni 9+1reb+6ast, C.Payton 7+8reb+2ast

Freseros - Soles 63-92:
Very expected game in Irapuato where 9th ranked Freseras (8-12) were rolled over by first ranked Soles (16-4) 92-63 on Tuesday. Soles dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Freseras' 26. Soles had a 29-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) stepped up and scored 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) chipped in 16 points. The best for the losing side was American forward Tyler Millin (201-2000, college: Chattanooga) with 13 points and the other American import swingman Zach Brown (198-1995, college: Wichita St., agency: LHZ Sport Agency) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Four Freseros players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Soles maintains first place with 16-4 record. Loser Freseras dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Soles: K.Hunter 16+3reb+1ast, T.Erik 16+8reb+3ast, C.Juan 11, D.Apic 9+3reb+1ast, S.Philip 9+4reb+3ast, W.Joshua 7+1reb+3ast
Freseros: T.Millin 13+4reb+1ast, F.Pirela 12+1reb+4ast, B.Garrett 12, Z.Brown 11+6reb+1ast, G.James 9+6reb, K.Rose 5+4reb+2ast

Diablos - Correcaminos 107-79:
Rather predictable result when tenth ranked Diablos (8-11) outscored at home bottom-ranked Correcaminos (3-13) 107-79 on Tuesday. Diablos outrebounded Correcaminos 37-26 including 24 on the defensive glass. Diablos looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Correcaminos' players. American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) stepped up and scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Argentinian guard Santiago Scala (186-1991) chipped in 16 points. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Chance Hunter (198-1998, college: Cal Poly, agency: 0z Sports Agency) with 17 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import point guard Damien Daniels (170-2000, college: ACU) scored 11 points and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Diablos moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Gambusinos. Loser Correcaminos stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost. Diablos will again meet at home bottom-ranked Correcaminos (#14) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Correcaminos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Diablos: S.Santiago 16+3reb+2ast, N.Angel 16+2reb+1ast, R.Dominguez 12+2reb, R.Tyquan 11+3reb+4ast, S.Devon 11+5reb+7ast, A.Luis 10+2reb+3ast
Correcaminos: C.Hunter 17+6reb+1ast, R.Juan 12+2reb+2ast, D.Daniels 11+1reb+5ast, J.Bradshaw 9+3reb+1ast, J.Franklin Jr. 7+1reb+2ast, K.Clark 7+3reb+2ast

Fuerza Regia - Mineros 100-101:
Important game to mention about took place in Monterrey. Seventh ranked Mineros (11-8) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best Fuerza Regia (12-7) 101-100 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. Mineros players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for Venezuelan forward Anyelo Cisneros (200-1997) who saved his team from a defeat with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Bahamas center Tavario Miller (203-1994, college: Texas A&M) contributed with 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Miller is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Mineros players scored in double figures. The former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) answered with 22 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Avry Holmes (185-1994, college: Clemson) added 24 points and 4 assists in the effort for Fuerza Regia. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mineros moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Lobos. Fuerza Regia at the other side dropped to the third position with seven games lost. They share it with Dorados. Mineros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fuerza Regia will play again at home against Mineros and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Mineros: C.Anyelo 22+5reb+6ast, M.Tavario 18+9reb+2ast, S.Daishon 18+6reb+1ast, V.Joaquin 15+2reb+8ast, S.Wesley 11+1reb+1ast, F.Romeao 10+4reb+3ast
Fuerza Regia: A.Holmes 24+3reb+4ast, J.Ibarra 22+8reb+2ast, S.Bamforth 19+3reb+4ast, I.Jimond 8+6reb+4ast, C.Sanders 7+1reb+1ast, D.Giron-Villarreal 7+1reb+1ast

Dorados - El Calor 91-89:
Not a big story in a game in Chihuahua where 13th ranked El Calor (5-14) was edged by fifth ranked Dorados (12-7) 91-89 on Tuesday. However just two-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Dorados looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) stepped up and scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and American point guard Will Cherry (185-1991, college: Montana) chipped in 19 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and forward Francis King (196) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. El Calor's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dorados moved-up to third place, which they share with Fuerza Regia. Loser El Calor keeps the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. Dorados will again meet at home El Calor (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. El Calor will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dorados: C.Will 19+3reb+5ast, M.Mikh 18+7reb+5ast, T.Sindarius 11+3reb+4ast, T.Austin 10+9reb+3ast, C.Markeith 9+8reb+2ast, H.Jaden 7+1reb+1ast
El Calor: J.Eddie 22+3reb+3ast, K.Francis 19+7reb+4ast, S.Nelson 18+4reb+10ast, D.Mitchell 10+6reb+1ast, E.Romero 9+4reb+1ast, W.Reed 9+6reb+4ast