LNBP Round 12 (Regular Season): Diablos lose to Halc.Xalapa

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in between third ranked Diablos (6-3) and seventh ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (5-1) on Saturday night. Diablos were defeated by Halcones UV Xalapa in a tough game at home 78-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Diablos. It was a good game for Serbian power forward Nikola Jovanovic (211-1994, college: USC) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Jamaican-American guard Sek Henry (193-1987, college: Nebraska) contributed with 14 points for the winners. The former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for Diablos. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Halcones UV Xalapa have an impressive five-game winning streak. Halc.Xalapa moved-up to fifth place. Diablos at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Halc.Xalapa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Diablos will play at home against Halc.Xalapa (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (8-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Plateros (4-5) in Monterrey 97-71. Worth to mention a quality performance of American point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and Wayne Langston who added 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) with 27 points (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Plateros' coach Facundo Murias gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Fuerza Regia have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-1 record. Plateros lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with five games lost. They share the position with Santos. Fuerza Regia will again play against Plateros (#9) in Fresnillo in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Plateros will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Abejas is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to twelfth ranked Soles (3-6) 100-80 on Saturday evening. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by Jordan Swing who scored that evening 19 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Soles' coach Manuel Hussein used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 20 points and 18 rebounds by Torren Jones did not help to save the game for Abejas. Soles moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Lobos BUAP. Loser Abejas still closes the standings with seven games lost. Soles will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play again against Soles (#12) and hope to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: Dorados were beaten by Astros on the road 82-67. Santos lost to El Calor on its own court 81-93. Freseras managed to outperform Lobos BUAP in Irapuato 94-92. Mineros managed to beat Panteras at home 86-79. Correcaminos crushed Halc.Rojos on the opponent's court 95-74.
The most impressive performance of 12th round was 16 points and 11 rebounds by Shavlik Randolph of Correcaminos.



Diablos - Halc.Xalapa 78-82

The most important game in the last round took place in between third ranked Diablos (6-3) and seventh ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (5-1) on Saturday night. Diablos were defeated by Halcones UV Xalapa in a tough game at home 78-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Diablos. It was a good game for Serbian power forward Nikola Jovanovic (211-1994, college: USC) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Jamaican-American guard Sek Henry (193-1987, college: Nebraska) contributed with 14 points for the winners. The former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and Argentinian guard Luciano Gonzalez (194-1990) added 17 points in the effort for Diablos. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Halcones UV Xalapa have an impressive five-game winning streak. Halc.Xalapa moved-up to fifth place. Diablos at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Halc.Xalapa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Diablos will play at home against Halc.Xalapa (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Diablos: L.Gonzalez 17+1reb+1ast, G.Bonilla 13+5reb+1ast, C.Williams 12+3reb+2ast, J.Ibarra 12+12reb+2ast, A.Holmes 7+1ast, M.Smith 7+4reb+2ast
Halc.Xalapa: N.Jovanovic 20+8reb+2ast, C.Hannah 15+1reb+2ast, S.Henry 14+3reb+2ast, P.Stoll 8+4reb+6ast, J.Glynn 7+5reb, T.McFadden 5+1reb

Fuerza Regia - Plateros 97-71

LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (8-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Plateros (4-5) in Monterrey 97-71. Fuerza Regia shot the lights out from three nailing 16 long-distance shots on high 51.6 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) who added 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Fuerza Regia players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) with 27 points (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) and Nigerian-American forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St.) scored 12 points. Plateros' coach Facundo Murias gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Fuerza Regia have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-1 record. Plateros lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with five games lost. They share the position with Santos. Fuerza Regia will again play against Plateros (#9) in Fresnillo in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Plateros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Plateros: M.Bryson 27+3reb+3ast, E.Omogbo 12+4reb+1ast, F.Vazquez 12+1reb+3ast, C.Harvey 6+3reb+4ast, R.Bustamante 4+2reb, K.Alexander 4+2reb+1ast
Fuerza Regia: M.Speight 22+4reb+7ast, W.Langston 16+7reb+2ast, L.Faggiano 13+3reb+5ast, D.Bejarano 11+5reb+5ast, K.Ray 11+1reb+2ast, R.Olalde 8+5reb+1ast

Astros - Dorados 82-67

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Astros (7-1) beat 6th ranked Dorados (5-4) in Guadalajara 82-67 on Saturday. The winners were led by Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who scored that evening 19 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) supported him with 16 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds by American power forward Charles Mitchell (203-1993, college: Georgia Tech) did not help to save the game for Dorados. His fellow American import point guard Lester Medford Jr (178-1993, college: Baylor) added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 7-1 record behind leader Fuerza Regia. Loser Dorados keep the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with Panteras and El Calor. Astros will again meet at home Dorados (#6) in the next round. Dorados will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dorados: C.Mitchell 19+10reb, E.Clarance 14+2reb+1ast, D.Conger 11+8reb, L.Medford Jr. 9+6reb+8ast, J.Estrada 5, A.John 3+6reb+3ast
Astros: R.Mendoza 19+7reb+2ast, J.Loveridge 16+4reb+5ast, J.Rodriguez 13+7reb+1ast, M.Andriassi 9+2reb, M.McKinney 7+1reb+3ast, L.N'Guessan 7+6reb

Santos - El Calor 81-93

Everything could happen in San Luis Potosi at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked El Calor and 9th ranked Santos had identical 4-4 record. But Santos were not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Cancun 93-81 on Saturday night. The winners were led by Argentinian swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) who scored that evening 21 points and American Joe Lawson (200-1992, college: Indianapolis) supported him with 10 points and 6 rebounds. Lawson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 21 points by American-Puerto Rican point guard Tjader Fernandez (178-1994) did not help to save the game for Santos. American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) added 10 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. El Calor (5-4) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Panteras and Dorados. Loser Santos keep the ninth position with five games lost. They share it with Plateros. El Calor will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santos will play again against El Calor (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santos: T.Fernandez 21+1reb+3ast, L.Lopez 10+2ast, B.Ogalue 10+4reb, L.Bearden 10+4reb+5ast, J.Hughes III 6+3reb+1ast, M.Kegler 5+6reb
El Calor: M.Fernandez 21+3reb+1ast, B.Santiago 16+3reb, A.Chidom 14+3reb, C.Mitchell 11+1reb+2ast, J.Lawson 10+6reb+3ast, A.Walker 8+3reb

Abejas - Soles 80-100

Bottom-ranked Abejas is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to twelfth ranked Soles (3-6) 100-80 on Saturday evening. Strangely Abejas outrebounded Soles 41-27 including a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Soles shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Soles made 7 blocks. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by guard Jordan Swing (198-1990, college: UAB) who scored that evening 19 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and guard Donovan Jackson (188-1996, college: Iowa St.) supported him with 23 points and 4 assists. Four Soles players scored in double figures. Soles' coach Manuel Hussein used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 20 points and 18 rebounds by power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) did not help to save the game for Abejas. Swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) added 22 points. Soles moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Lobos BUAP. Loser Abejas still closes the standings with seven games lost. Soles will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play again against Soles (#12) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Abejas: W.Yoakum 22+2reb+2ast, T.Jones 20+18reb+1ast, T.Nuno 17+5reb+3ast, N.Johnson 8+2reb+2ast, A.Banks 7+1reb+6ast, P.Chukwu 4+5reb
Soles: D.Jackson 23+4ast, J.Weatherspoon 19+5reb+2ast, J.Swing 19+2reb+6ast, E.Thomas 13+5reb+3ast, J.Webster 7+2reb+7ast, L.Martinez 6+6reb+5ast

Lobos BUAP - Freseras 92-94

There was a small surprise when fourteenth ranked Freseras (2-5) edged 11th ranked Lobos BUAP (3-6) in Puebla 94-92 on Saturday. Freseras made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Lobos BUAP outrebounded Freseras 39-15 including a 33-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American point guard Pedro Leal-Cruz (185-2000, college: Life Pacific) who scored that evening 21 points (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and the other American import forward Anthony Tarke (201-1998, college: Coppin St.) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Even 15 points and 9 rebounds by Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) did not help to save the game for Lobos BUAP. American guard Jordan Goldwire (188-1999, college: Oklahoma, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 19 points. Five Freseras and four Lobos BUAP players scored in double figures. Lobos BUAP's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Freseras moved-up to thirteenth place. Lobos BUAP lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Soles. Freseras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lobos BUAP will play again against Freseras (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Lobos BUAP: J.Goldwire 19+4reb+1ast, M.Esho 15+9reb+1ast, T.Lee 15+2reb, J.Keenan 12+6reb+1ast, K.Rodriguez 9+4reb+5ast, G.Semiglia 7+5reb+1ast
Freseras: P.Leal-Cruz 21+1reb+2ast, J.Wheeler 17+2reb+1ast, A.Tarke 16+6reb, A.Lillard 16+2ast, S.Jones 12+2reb+1ast, D.Giddens 4+2reb

Mineros - Panteras 86-79

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Panteras (5-4) lost to third ranked Mineros (7-2) in Zacatecas 79-86 on Saturday. Mineros dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Panteras' 24. Mineros looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American forward Adonis Thomas (197-1993, college: Memphis, agency: Slash Sports) who scored that evening 21 points and the other American import forward Lance Thomas (206-1999, college: USA, agency: Haylett Sports) supported him with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Four Mineros players scored in double figures. Mineros' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 18 points and 5 assists by American swingman Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) did not help to save the game for Panteras. The former international Fabian Jaimes (198-1992) added 11 points and 9 rebounds. Mineros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 7-2 record behind leader Fuerza Regia. Loser Panteras keep the sixth place with four games lost. They share the position with Dorados and El Calor. Mineros will again meet at home Panteras (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: S.Lemon 18+2reb+5ast, R.Lenz 12+2reb, G.Ricks 11+6reb+2ast, F.Jaimes 11+9reb+2ast, J.Bibbs 8+4reb+4ast, J.Perkins 8+4reb+5ast
Mineros: A.Thomas 21+4reb+2ast, L.Thomas 16+7reb+2ast, D.Bracey 12+2reb+7ast, S.Hogan 10+5reb+1ast, M.Curry 9+4reb+3ast, A.Majok 9+8reb+2ast

Halc.Rojos - Correcaminos 74-95

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifteenth ranked Correcaminos (2-7) outplayed 14th ranked Halcones Rojos (1-6) in Veracruz 95-74 on Saturday. The winners were led by American forward Shavlik Randolph (208-1983, college: Duke) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) supported him with 20 points and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds by Nigerian-American power forward Ikechukwu Diogu (204-1983, college: Arizona St.) did not help to save the game for Halc.Rojos. American-Puerto Rican guard Eric Ayala (198-1999, college: Maryland) added 14 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who 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. Correcaminos moved-up to fourteenth place. Halc.Rojos lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the fifteenth position with six games lost. Correcaminos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Halc.Rojos will play again against Correcaminos (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Halc.Rojos: I.Diogu 14+11reb+2ast, E.Ayala 14+2reb+4ast, J.Dentmon 13+2reb+1ast, J.Ogunyemi 10+5reb+1ast, D.Barnes 6+3reb+3ast, I.Avalos 4+6reb
Correcaminos: M.Hernandez 20+2reb+4ast, S.Randolph 16+11reb+1ast, K.Hankerson 15+4reb+1ast, L.Elmore 15+8reb+1ast, T.Hankerson 10+1reb+2ast, R.Miller 10+6reb