CIBACOPA Round 5 (Regular Season): Tijuana lose to Venados

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in CIBACOPA, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Mazatlan where host Venados (4-3) beat league's leader Tijuana Zonkeys (7-2) 91-85 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Tijuana Zonkeys. Mazatlan made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was guard Decensae White (198-1988, college: SF State) who scored 29 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Swingman Wayne Runnels (198-1989, college: Creighton) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. Swingman Cameron Mitchell (195-1992, college: IU Southeast) produced 27 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Mazatlan maintains fifth place with 4-3 record. Tijuana at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Astros who have the same record. Tijuana will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Mazatlan will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Tijuana at home.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Astros as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Tijuana Zonkeys) loss. Astros defeated 7th ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas in Guadalajara 94-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ostioneros de Guaymas. American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Kavell Bigby-Williams contributed with 22 points and 14 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Canadian guard Jahvon Henry-Blair (193-1998, college: Georgetown) answered with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for Guaymas. Ostioneros de Guaymas' coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tijuana. Guaymas at the other side keep the seventh place with five games lost. Guaymas will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Astros will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Guaymas at home.
A very close game took place in Ciudad Obregon between Halcones de Ciudad Obregon and Astros. Fourth ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (5-4) got a very close home victory over second-ranked Astros (7-2). Halcones de Ciudad Obregon managed to escape with a 2-point win 93-91 on Tuesday evening. Tony Farmer stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Demitrius Conger responded with 22 points and 6 assists. Obregon maintains fourth place with 5-4 record. Loser Astros still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with Tijuana. Obregon will meet higher ranked Hermosillo (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astros will play against Guaymas and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 5 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Los Mochis were defeated by Tijuana in a road game 87-79. Obregon beat Astros at home 99-91. Angeles destroyed Culiacan on the opponent's court 95-74. Hermosillo managed to outperform Obregon in a home game 83-79.



Tijuana - Los Mochis 87-79

There was no surprise when 8th ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (2-6) were defeated on the road by first ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (7-2) 87-79 on Tuesday. The game was also dominated by American players. Forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds for the winners and guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Power forward Raphiael Putney (207-1990, college: UMass) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds and guard Nigel Hawkins (193, college: SF Austin) scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tijuana Zonkeys have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-2 record. Los Mochis lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with six games lost. Tijuana will meet Mazatlan (#5) on the road in the next round. Los Mochis will play against Frayles and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tijuana: A.Chidom 24+13reb+3ast, C.Mitchell 22+3reb+1ast, J.Webster 17+6reb+5ast, W.Alex Kaye 11+5reb+2ast, J.Franca 7+7reb+1ast, I.Alvarado 5+6reb+2ast
Los Mochis: R.Putney 21+9reb+2ast, J.Allen 15+6reb+1ast, M.Evans 15+6reb+2ast, N.Hawkins 14+7reb+4ast, A.Johnson 8+7reb+3ast, M.Godwin 6+1reb

Obregon - Astros 93-91

A very close game took place in Ciudad Obregon between Halcones de Ciudad Obregon and Astros. Fourth ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (5-4) got a very close home victory over second-ranked Astros (7-2). Halcones de Ciudad Obregon managed to escape with a 2-point win 93-91 on Tuesday evening. Obregon made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Obregon outrebounded Astros 40-27 including 31 on the defensive glass. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Venezuelan center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American Demitrius Conger (196-1990, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 22 points and 6 assists and the other American import guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) scored 17 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Obregon maintains fourth place with 5-4 record. Loser Astros still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with Tijuana. Obregon will meet higher ranked Hermosillo (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astros will play against Guaymas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Obregon: T.Farmer 28+16reb+4ast, W.Graterol 16+9reb+2ast, A.Parker 15+3reb+2ast, C.Thomas 13+2reb+3ast, T.Nuno 10+4reb+3ast, S.Kennedy 6+5reb
Astros: D.Conger 22+3reb+6ast, M.McKinney 17+1reb+4ast, M.Bryson 17+4reb+1ast, K.Bigby-Williams 10+3reb, J.Anderson 10+3reb+4ast, D.Hollis 7+4reb

Obregon - Astros 99-91

There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (5-4) defeated at home second-ranked Astros (7-2) 99-91 on Wednesday. Obregon made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. American-Nigerian swingman Tanksley Efianayi (198-1994, college: UCF) stepped up and scored 29 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winners and American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds. American Demitrius Conger (196-1990, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. Four Obregon and five Astros players scored in double figures. Astros' coach Jorge Elorduy tested eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Obregon maintains fourth place with 5-4 record. Loser Astros still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with Tijuana. Obregon will meet higher ranked Hermosillo (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astros will play against Guaymas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Obregon: T.Efianayi 29+3reb+1ast, T.Farmer 22+7reb+3ast, C.Thomas 11+7reb+3ast, T.Nuno 10+7reb+3ast, A.Parker 9+3reb+4ast, W.Graterol 8+1reb
Astros: D.Conger 24+7reb+5ast, M.McKinney 19+2reb+3ast, K.Bigby-Williams 19+11reb+2ast, M.Bryson 11+5reb+2ast, D.Hollis 10+6reb+1ast, J.Anderson 8+3reb+3ast

Mazatlan - Tijuana 91-85

The biggest surprise took place in Mazatlan where host Venados (4-3) beat league's leader Tijuana Zonkeys (7-2) 91-85 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Tijuana Zonkeys. Mazatlan made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was guard Decensae White (198-1988, college: SF State) who scored 29 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Swingman Wayne Runnels (198-1989, college: Creighton) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. White is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Swingman Cameron Mitchell (195-1992, college: IU Southeast) produced 27 points and 7 rebounds and guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) added 15 points and 12 assists respectively for the guests. Four Mazatlan and five Tijuana players scored in double figures. Mazatlan maintains fifth place with 4-3 record. Tijuana at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Astros who have the same record. Tijuana will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Mazatlan will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Tijuana at home.
Top scorers:
Mazatlan: D.White 29+7reb+5ast, W.Runnels 17+9reb+1ast, D.Herring Jr. 15+4reb+6ast, A.Stafford 12+6reb+2ast, R.Whitfield 8+2reb+2ast, T.Thompson 6+5reb
Tijuana: C.Mitchell 27+7reb+3ast, J.Webster 15+3reb+12ast, J.Franca 12+1reb, W.Alex Kaye 11+5reb+1ast, A.Chidom 10+7reb, I.Alvarado 4+1reb

Astros - Guaymas 94-76

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Astros as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Tijuana Zonkeys) loss. Astros defeated 7th ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas in Guadalajara 94-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ostioneros de Guaymas. American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Canadian guard Jahvon Henry-Blair (193-1998, college: Georgetown) answered with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and American guard Markel Crawford (196-1994, college: Ole Miss) added 15 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Guaymas. Five Guaymas players scored in double figures. Ostioneros de Guaymas' coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tijuana. Guaymas at the other side keep the seventh place with five games lost. Guaymas will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Astros will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Guaymas at home.
Top scorers:
Astros: M.McKinney 29+5reb+4ast, K.Bigby-Williams 22+14reb+2ast, D.Conger 11+5reb+2ast, O.De Haro 9+2reb+2ast, S.Thompson 8+5reb+3ast, M.Bryson 8+4reb+1ast
Guaymas: E.Winchester 15+4reb+2ast, M.Crawford 15+5reb+2ast, J.Henry-Blair 14+8reb+6ast, M.Cairo 11+5reb, C.Russo 10+7reb+1ast, B.Rivera 10+4reb+1ast

Culiacan - Angeles 74-95

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (1-6) was rolled over at home by sixth ranked Angeles (3-4) 95-74 on Friday. Angeles dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Caballeros de Culiacan's 36. They outrebounded Culiacan 36-22 including 25 on the defensive glass. American forward Johnny Hughes III (201-1997, college: UIW) stepped up and scored 18 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and his fellow American import Vander Blue (196-1992, college: Marquette) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Five Angeles players scored in double figures. Colombian guard Romario Roque (175-1998) responded with 18 points and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and American swingman Carson Newsome (199-1998, college: Graceland) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Angeles maintains sixth place with 3-4 record. Culiacan lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with six games lost. Angeles will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Culiacan will play again against Angeles (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Angeles: J.Hughes III 18+9reb+2ast, V.Blue 16+7reb+3ast, N.Opoku 15+4reb+1ast, J.Boykins 14+3reb, D.Bracey 12+3reb+9ast, A.Luis 7+2reb+3ast
Culiacan: R.Roque 18+2reb+4ast, M.Jackson 16+3reb+1ast, C.Newsome 12+9reb+2ast, M.McCadney 9+1ast, N.Allen 8+2reb+1ast, M.Tarrance 4+3reb

Hermosillo - Obregon 83-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Rayos de Hermosillo's (6-1) home victory over 4th placed Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (5-4) 83-79 on Friday. Hermosillo made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. American forward Derek Culver (208-1998, college: WVU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Terrence Drisdom (196-1992, college: CPP) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Four Rayos de Hermosillo players scored in double figures. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds and American-Nigerian swingman Tanksley Efianayi (198-1994, college: UCF) scored 24 points and 5 rebounds. Hermosillo maintains third place with 6-1 record behind leader Astros. Loser Halcones de Ciudad Obregon keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Hermosillo will meet at home Obregon (#4) in the next round. Obregon will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hermosillo: T.Drisdom 17+7reb+3ast, J.Ivey 16+5reb+5ast, D.Willis 15+2reb, D.Culver 13+12reb+3ast, S.Manley 10+12reb, J.Camacho 9+5reb+6ast
Obregon: T.Farmer 26+16reb+3ast, T.Efianayi 24+5reb+2ast, A.Parker 9+4reb+5ast, T.Nuno 7+3reb+3ast, C.Thomas 7+2reb+1ast, W.Graterol 6+6reb+1ast