CIBACOPA Round 12: Caballeros de Culiacan defeat Astros in the closest game of the week

Michaell Jackson

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 12 in the CIBACOPA took place in Guadalajara. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best Astros (15-9) to third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (13-11) 89-87 on Wednesday evening. Caballeros de Culiacan made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Astros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and American guard Jarron Cumberland (196-1997, college: Cincinnati) who added 19 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Isaiah Whaley (203-1998, college: UConn) with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Caballeros de Culiacan maintains third position with 13-11 record having seven points less than leader Hermosillo. Newly promoted Astros keep the second place with nine games lost. Caballeros de Culiacan are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Astros will play against the league's leader Rayos de Hermosillo (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Seventh-ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (8-16) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (12-12). Tijuana Zonkeys managed to secure only three-point victory 94-91. However their fans expected easier game. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by Akia Pruitt (203-1997, college: UNCP) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Joshua Webster supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Even 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists by guard Kennedy Jones (188-1989, college: Arlington Baptist) did not help to save the game for Pioneros Los Mochis. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tijuana Zonkeys maintains fourth position with 12-12 record, which they share with Mazatlan. Pioneros Los Mochis at the other side keep the seventh place with 16 games lost. Tijuana Zonkeys will play against Ostioneros de Guaymas (#6) on the road in the next round. Pioneros Los Mochis will play against Venados and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Guadalajara. Second ranked host Astros (15-9) defeated one of their biggest challengers Caballeros de Culiacan (13-11) 88-83. The best player for the winners was Jordan Loveridge who scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Jarron Cumberland who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Astros maintains second position with 15-9 record having five points less than leader Hermosillo. Caballeros de Culiacan lost third consecutive game. They keep the third place with 11 games lost. Astros will meet league's leader Rayos de Hermosillo on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caballeros de Culiacan will play against Halcones de Ciudad Obregon and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 12: Hermosillo won against Guaymas on the opponent's court 93-77. Mazatlan managed to outperform Obregon in a home game 98-89. Los Mochis was rolled over Tijuana on the road 100-79. Guaymas were defeated by Hermosillo on its own court 84-93. Bottom-ranked Obregon were beaten by Mazatlan in a road game 112-106.