LNBP Round 9: Astros edge Halcones UV Xalapa by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Ninth-ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (5-11) made lots of trouble for second ranked Astros (11-4) on Friday. The visitors from Guadalajara managed to secure only two-point victory 98-96. However their fans expected much easier game. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (190-1992) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. American swingman Aaron Valdes (196-1993, college: Hawaii) chipped in 28 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Eric Ferguson (203-1989, college: Georgia South) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. Halcones UV Xalapa's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Astros have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Dorados. Halcones UV Xalapa at the other side keeps the ninth place with 11 games lost. Astros is looking forward to face Mineros (#4) in Zacatecas in the next round. Halcones UV Xalapa will play on the road against Correcaminos (#10) in Ciudad Victoria and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Zacatecas. Fifth ranked Mineros (8-7) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th placed Abejas (8-8) 90-87 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Abejas. It was a good game for Panamanian-Chilean guard Eugenio Luzcando (187-1995, college: Idaho St.) who led his team to a victory with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Durrell Summers contributed with 23 points and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Michael Smith (193-1995, college: CBU) answered with 17 points for Abejas. Abejas' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Mineros moved-up to fourth place. Abejas at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. Mineros will play against league's second-placed Astros in Guadalajara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Abejas will play at home against Plateros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Dorados delivered the eleventh victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Soles (6-9) 94-75 in Mexicali. Donald Sims stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) and 7 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) for the winners. The best for the losing side was Daniel Laster with 20 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Dorados. They maintain first place with 11-4 record, which they share with Astros. Soles lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Dorados will meet at home Libertadores (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Soles will play against Fuerza Regia in Monterrey and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Fuerza Regia defeated Plateros in Monterrey 100-92. Mineros were beaten by Abejas at home 86-90. Astros won against Halc.Xalapa on the opponent's court 86-74. Libertadores managed to outperform Correcaminos in a home game 118-107. Dorados managed to beat Soles on the road 89-75.
The best stats of 9th round was 20 points and 6 rebounds by Franco Giorgetti of Dorados.

Halc.Xalapa - Astros 96-98

Ninth-ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (5-11) made lots of trouble for second ranked Astros (11-4) on Friday. The visitors from Guadalajara managed to secure only two-point victory 98-96. However their fans expected much easier game. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (190-1992) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. American swingman Aaron Valdes (196-1993, college: Hawaii) chipped in 28 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Eric Ferguson (203-1989, college: Georgia South) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and international guard Jose Estrada (190-1994, agency: Pro Sports) added 23 points and 5 assists respectively. Four Halcones UV Xalapa players scored in double figures. Halcones UV Xalapa's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Astros have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Dorados. Halcones UV Xalapa at the other side keeps the ninth place with 11 games lost. Astros is looking forward to face Mineros (#4) in Zacatecas in the next round. Halcones UV Xalapa will play on the road against Correcaminos (#10) in Ciudad Victoria and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: E.Ferguson 24+10reb, J.Estrada 23+3reb+5ast, A.Holmes 18+5reb+8ast, A.Walker 11+5reb+2ast, J.Akindele 8+6reb+1ast, A.Almanza 5+2reb+2ast
Astros: A.Valdes 28+4reb+1ast, J.Blake 25+4reb+4ast, R.Mendoza 22+6reb+8ast, B.DeBisschop 7+8reb+2ast, K.Rodriguez 6+7reb+6ast, J.Loveridge 5+4reb+6ast

Plateros - Fuerza Regia 92-100

There was no surprise in Fresnillo where 5th ranked Plateros (7-7) were defeated by third ranked Fuerza Regia (9-5) 100-92 on Saturday. Fuerza Regia made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Argentinian Joseph Avila stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and American guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Puerto Rican-Nicaraguan guard Jared Ruiz (188-1992) with 29 points and 4 assists and international point guard Kohl Meyer (193-1993, college: Puget Sound) scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Fuerza Regia and four Plateros players scored in double figures. Fuerza Regia maintains third place with 9-5 record having just three points less than leader Dorados. Loser Plateros dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with Libertadores. Fuerza Regia will meet at home Soles (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Plateros will play against Abejas in Guanajuato and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Plateros: J.Ruiz 29+4reb+4ast, L.Davis 14, K.Meyer 14+6reb+6ast, J.Ibarra 14+9reb, J.Ramirez 10+1reb+2ast, I.Montano 4+1reb+3ast
Fuerza Regia: A.Joseph 21+10reb+2ast, D.Johnson 20+2reb+3ast, G.Ricks 16+7reb+5ast, C.Cortez 15+4reb+7ast, R.Green 13+2reb, A.Fuller 7+5reb+1ast

Mineros - Abejas 86-90

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Abejas' (8-8) road victory over 5th ranked Mineros (8-7) 90-86 on Friday. Abejas made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. American-Argentinian guard Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) chipped in 22 points. The best for the losing side was naturalized American Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) with 23 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Mike Bruesewitz (199-1990, college: Wisconsin) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Abejas went down to fifth position due to points difference. Mineros lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fourth place with seven games lost. Abejas will meet at home Plateros (#7) in the next round. Mineros will play against the league's second-placed Astros in Guadalajara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mineros: D.Summers 23+7reb+3ast, M.Bruesewitz 17+8reb+2ast, J.Williams 16+2ast, E.Luzcando 13+4reb+4ast, J.Summers 6+3reb+2ast, F.Hassell 6+7reb
Abejas: T.White 22+2reb+1ast, E.Thomas 18+10reb+3ast, M.Smith 15+7reb+2ast, W.Langston 13+4reb+1ast, T.McLean 8+5reb+1ast, J.Anderson 6+2reb+6ast

Soles - Dorados 75-94

Leader Dorados delivered the eleventh victory on Friday night. This time they crushed 8th ranked Soles (6-9) 94-75 in Mexicali. Dorados made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American Donald Sims (190-1987, college: App State, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) and 7 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) for the winners and Argentinian forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992) chipped in 18 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. The best for the losing side was American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) with 20 points and the other American import center Kavion Pippen (208-1996, college: SIU) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Soles players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Dorados. They maintain first place with 11-4 record, which they share with Astros. Soles lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Dorados will meet at home Libertadores (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Soles will play against Fuerza Regia in Monterrey and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Soles: D.Laster 20+4reb+2ast, R.Martinez 15+4reb+1ast, K.Pippen 12+8reb+2ast, V.Alvarez Diez 11+1reb+5ast, P.Kiss 5+5reb+3ast, A.Villanueva 5+3reb+2ast
Dorados: D.Sims 35+4reb+7ast, F.Giorgetti 18+14reb+8ast, D.Draper 15+4reb, A.Luis 9+2reb+2ast, M.Jefferson 8+2reb, M.Duffy 6+4reb

Halc.Xalapa - Astros 74-86

Very expected game when 9th ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (5-11) was defeated at home by second ranked Astros (11-4) 86-74 on Saturday. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) stepped up and scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and the former international guard Jorge Gutierrez (191-1988, college: California) chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was American guard Avry Holmes (185-1994, college: Clemson) with 21 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import forward Eric Ferguson (203-1989, college: Georgia South) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Halcones UV Xalapa's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Astros. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Dorados. Loser Halcones UV Xalapa keeps the ninth place with 11 games lost. Astros will meet at home Mineros (#4) in the next round. Halcones UV Xalapa will play against Correcaminos (#10) in Ciudad Victoria and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: A.Holmes 21+5reb+3ast, E.Ferguson 14+7reb+3ast, R.Delgado 12+2reb+7ast, J.Akindele 8+7reb+1ast, J.Estrada 8+2reb+5ast, A.Almanza 7+3reb
Astros: J.Loveridge 22+7reb+6ast, J.Gutierrez 14+4reb+7ast, K.Rodriguez 10+2ast, R.Mendoza 9+6reb+2ast, A.Valdes 8+3reb+3ast, B.DeBisschop 7+10reb+2ast

Mineros - Abejas 90-87

Important game to mention about took place in Zacatecas. Fifth ranked Mineros (8-7) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th placed Abejas (8-8) 90-87 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Abejas. It was a good game for Panamanian-Chilean guard Eugenio Luzcando (187-1995, college: Idaho St.) who led his team to a victory with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Naturalized American Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) contributed with 23 points and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Michael Smith (193-1995, college: CBU) answered with 17 points and the other American import guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) added 15 points and 4 assists in the effort for Abejas. Four Mineros and five Abejas players scored in double figures. Abejas' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Mineros moved-up to fourth place. Abejas at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. Mineros will play against league's second-placed Astros in Guadalajara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Abejas will play at home against Plateros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Abejas: M.Smith 17+3reb+3ast, W.Langston 15+4reb+2ast, T.White 15+4reb+4ast, T.McLean 12+2reb+2ast, J.Anderson 11+4reb+1ast, K.Hernandez 6+1reb+1ast
Mineros: D.Summers 23+6ast, J.Williams 19+2reb+1ast, E.Luzcando 18+9reb+5ast, F.Hassell 10+9reb+1ast, M.Bruesewitz 8+2reb+6ast, M.Ramos 6+6reb+1ast

Libertadores - Correcaminos 118-107

Rather predictable result in Queretaro where seventh ranked Libertadores (7-7) beat bottom-ranked Correcaminos (2-12) 118-107 on Saturday. Libertadores shot 60.3 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Correcaminos' players. American guard Spencer Williams (188-1995, college: Wooster) stepped up and scored 26 points and 9 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Vander Blue (196-1992, college: Marquette) chipped in 21 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Swiss point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) with 43 points (!!!) and American guard Decensae White (198-1988, college: SF State) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Correcaminos' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Libertadores moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Plateros. Loser Correcaminos stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Libertadores will meet league's leader Dorados in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Correcaminos will play against Halcones UV Xalapa (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: J.Stevens 43+4reb+2ast, D.White 20+14reb+1ast, C.Forte 18+11reb+3ast, M.Jackson 11+2reb+3ast, C.Russo 6+2reb+2ast, J.Arturo Farrera 5+1reb+1ast
Libertadores: S.Williams 26+1reb+9ast, B.Frazier 24+1reb+2ast, V.Blue 21+2reb+5ast, M.Hernandez 20+2reb+1ast, S.Samuels 13+12reb+1ast, S.Givens 9+8reb+7ast

Soles - Dorados 75-89

Not a big story in a game in Mexicali where 8th ranked Soles (6-9) were defeated by first ranked Dorados (11-4) 89-75 on Thursday. American Donald Sims (190-1987, college: App State, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up and scored 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and Argentinian forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) with 19 points and the other American import Noah Allen (201-1995, college: Hawaii) scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Dorados and four Soles players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Dorados. They maintain first place with 11-4 record, which they share with Astros. Soles lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Dorados will meet at home Libertadores (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Soles will play against Fuerza Regia in Monterrey and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Soles: D.Laster 19+3reb+2ast, N.Allen 14+5reb+4ast, P.Kiss 11+3reb+3ast, K.Pippen 10+4reb, R.Alejandro 6+4reb, V.Alvarez Diez 6+3reb+3ast
Dorados: D.Sims 21+5reb+5ast, F.Giorgetti 20+6reb+1ast, J.Brussino 15+4reb+4ast, M.Duffy 12+1reb+1ast, D.Draper 11+5reb+1ast, A.Gil-Fernandez 4



Tags : RIGOBERTO MENDOZA, ASTROS DE JALISCO, MEXICAN BASKETBALL