LNBP Round 23 (Regular Season): Fuerza Regia defeat Freseras in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Thirteenth-ranked Freseras (5-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Fuerza Regia (15-3) in Monterrey on Saturday. Fuerza Regia managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected much easier game. Fuerza Regia made 22-of-25 free shots (88.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) helped adding 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Fuerza Regia's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) responded with 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Fuerza Regia have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-3 record. Freseras lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (15-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat thirteenth ranked Freseras (5-11) in Monterrey 91-73. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. It was a quality performance for point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who led the winners and scored 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Jerai Grant accounted for 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Fuerza Regia's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Ty Gadsden (185-1996, college: UNCW, agency: Green Sports Management) came up with 17 points for Freseras in the defeat. Fuerza Regia have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-3 record. Freseras lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in between Correcaminos and Diablos. Fifteenth ranked Correcaminos (5-13) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked Diablos (11-7). Correcaminos managed to escape with a 2-point win 97-95 on Friday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. The best player for the winners was Manuel Hernandez who scored 30 points. JJ Avila produced 15 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Correcaminos moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Lobos BUAP. Diablos lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Plateros. Correcaminos will meet at home league's second-placed Halc.Xalapa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Diablos will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 23: Panteras won against Santos on the opponent's court 91-78. Soles managed to outperform El Calor in a home game 68-66. Dorados recorded a loss to Halc.Xalapa on the road 99-91. Bottom-ranked Abejas were defeated by Plateros on its own court 89-92. Mineros were beaten by Halc.Rojos in Veracruz 93-86. Astros won against Lobos BUAP at home 85-78. Correcaminos were outscored by Diablos on the opponent's court 95-73. Astros managed to beat Lobos BUAP in a home game 70-63.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 9 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals by Desi Washington of Lobos BUAP.



Santos - Panteras 78-91

Very expected game in San Luis Potosi where 9th ranked Santos (8-10) were defeated by third ranked Panteras (12-6) 91-78 on Friday. Panteras shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Justin Bibbs (196-1996, college: Virginia Tech) who scored 19 points. His fellow American import guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) chipped in 15 points. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. American forward Johnny Hughes III (201-1997, college: UIW) produced 18 points and American-Puerto Rican point guard Tjader Fernandez (178-1994) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Panteras have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Despite that victory Panteras went down to fourth position due to points difference. Santos lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with ten games lost. Panteras will meet at home bottom-ranked Abejas (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Santos will play against Lobos BUAP (#14) in Puebla and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Panteras: J.Bibbs 19+2reb+3ast, G.Ricks 15+4reb+1ast, F.Jaimes 11+6reb+1ast, W.Ferreira 11+7reb+1ast, J.Perkins 8+9ast, J.Martin 8+7reb+5ast
Santos: J.Hughes III 18+4reb+1ast, T.Fernandez 15+4reb+2ast, R.Christmas 11+7reb, L.Lopez 9+2reb+3ast, J.Cruz 9+3reb+1ast, K.Allen 8+2reb

Soles - El Calor 68-66

Rather predictable result in Mexicali where ninth ranked Soles (9-9) edged 12th ranked El Calor (6-11) 68-66 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Soles made 7 blocks. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Forward Kenneth Faried (203-1989, college: Morehead St.) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and guard Archie Goodwin (196-1994, college: Kentucky) added 21 points respectively for the guests. Soles moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Mineros. El Calor lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 11 games lost. Soles will meet higher ranked Dorados (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. El Calor will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Soles: K.Faried 17+7reb, J.Swing 13+2reb+1ast, D.Hamilton 12+10reb+7ast, J.Webster 7+2reb+2ast, V.Alvarez 6+1reb, M.Watkins 4+3reb
El Calor: A.Goodwin 21+4reb, A.Chidom 20+11reb+2ast, E.Mockevicius 7+7reb+1ast, D.Todorovic 6+2reb, H.Guillent 4+4reb+7ast, L.Guerra 3

Halc.Xalapa - Dorados 99-91

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Dorados (10-8) were defeated on the road by second ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (13-4) 99-91 on Friday. Halc.Xalapa made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. Halc.Xalapa looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) who scored 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Jamaican-American guard Sek Henry (193-1987, college: Nebraska) chipped in 17 points. Elsener is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Halcones UV Xalapa's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Swedish guard Elijah Clarance (194-1998, college: Illinois St.) produced 22 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and Argentinian forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Halcones UV Xalapa have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Halc.Xalapa maintains second place with 13-4 record having just three points less than leader Fuerza Regia. Dorados at the other side dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Halc.Xalapa will meet Correcaminos (#15) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Dorados will play against Soles (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: S.Henry 17+3reb+3ast, C.Hannah 15+1reb+3ast, A.Elsener 13+8reb+4ast, T.McFadden 12+1reb+3ast, P.Stoll 10+2reb+10ast, N.Jovanovic 10+3reb
Dorados: E.Clarance 22+6reb+7ast, F.Giorgetti 16+5reb+2ast, D.Conger 14+4reb+3ast, C.Mitchell 11+4reb, L.Medford Jr. 10+1reb+4ast, K.Stokes 10+3reb+3ast

Abejas - Plateros 89-92

Everything went according to plan in Guanajuato where sixth ranked Plateros (11-7) edged bottom-ranked Abejas (2-13) 92-89 on Friday. Plateros forced 21 Abejas turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Plateros made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was Argentinian point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) who scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. American center Deion McClenton (208, college: Keiser) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) produced 22 points and the other American import power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Five Plateros and four Abejas players scored in double figures. Abejas' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Plateros have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Diablos. Abejas lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost. Plateros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play against Panteras (#4) in Aguascalientes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Plateros: F.Vazquez 19+5reb+7ast, D.McClenton 18+10reb, M.Bryson 13+6reb+1ast, A.Matias 11+1reb+2ast, T.White 10+4reb+7ast, C.Harvey 9+2reb+2ast
Abejas: M.Heron 22+3reb+3ast, T.Jones 14+10reb+2ast, T.Nuno 11+8reb+2ast, W.Yoakum 10+6reb+1ast, J.Contreras 10+3reb+1ast, N.Tomsick 9+4reb+2ast

Diablos - Correcaminos 95-97

A very close game took place in between Correcaminos and Diablos. Fifteenth ranked Correcaminos (5-13) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked Diablos (11-7). Correcaminos managed to escape with a 2-point win 97-95 on Friday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Correcaminos dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Diablos' 34. Correcaminos shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. The best player for the winners was swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) who scored 30 points. American center Ronald Delph (215-1993, college: FAU) chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds. American JJ Avila (203-1991, college: Colorado St.) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds and Brazilian center Maique Tavares (211-1993) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Five Diablos players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Correcaminos moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Lobos BUAP. Diablos lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Plateros. Correcaminos will meet at home league's second-placed Halc.Xalapa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Diablos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: M.Hernandez 30+1reb+2ast, R.Delph 20+9reb+1ast, N.Elmore 10+3reb, K.Hankerson 10+1ast, L.Elmore 8+7reb+2ast, K.Rodriguez 7+2reb+1ast
Diablos: J.Avila 15+8reb+2ast, L.Gonzalez 14+1reb+1ast, M.Smith 13+1reb+3ast, A.Holmes 13+3reb+2ast, M.Tavares 12+8reb, S.Scala 10+1reb+2ast

Halc.Rojos - Mineros 93-86

There was an upset in Veracruz where higher ranked Mineros (9-9) were defeated by twelfth ranked Halcones Rojos (7-11) 93-86 on Friday. The best player for the winners was American guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who scored 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Nigerian center Micheal Eric (211-1988, college: Temple) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) produced 30 points and American forward Adonis Thomas (197-1993, college: Memphis, agency: Slash Sports) added 18 points respectively for the guests. Five Halc.Rojos and four Mineros players scored in double figures. Mineros' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Halc.Rojos moved-up to eleventh place. Mineros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Soles. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Halc.Rojos: D.Washington 26+7reb+4ast, M.Eric 14+6reb+1ast, C.Dougherty 12+1reb+1ast, K.Horton 11+6reb, I.Diogu 10+6reb, E.Ayala 8+3reb+1ast
Mineros: A.Spight 30+3reb+3ast, A.Thomas 18+2reb+1ast, M.Curry 13+4reb+2ast, L.Thomas 11+5reb, A.Majok 8+6reb, E.Wembi 4+3reb+1ast

Fuerza Regia - Freseras 93-90

Thirteenth-ranked Freseras (5-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Fuerza Regia (15-3) in Monterrey on Saturday. Fuerza Regia managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected much easier game. Fuerza Regia made 22-of-25 free shots (88.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) helped adding 17 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Fuerza Regia's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) responded with 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists and center Daniel Giddens (213-1997, college: Vermont) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Fuerza Regia have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-3 record. Freseras lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fuerza Regia: J.Dunn 23+2reb+2ast, M.Speight 22+10reb+9ast, J.Grant 18+5reb+1ast, W.Langston 17+7reb+3ast, K.Ray 6+2reb+1ast, S.Reynoso-Jimenez 5+1reb
Freseras: J.Ivey 33+5reb+4ast, A.Lillard 22+2reb+1ast, D.Giddens 12+14reb+2ast, M.Crawford 11+3reb+1ast, J.Wheeler 8+2reb+6ast, P.Leal-Cruz 2

Astros - Lobos BUAP 85-78

No shocking result in a game in Guadalajara where fourth ranked Astros (12-5) won against 14th ranked Lobos BUAP (5-13) 85-78 on Friday. The best player for the winners was American forward Corey Sanders (188-1997, college: Rutgers) who scored 18 points and 4 assists. Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) chipped in 15 points and 6 assists. The former international guard Karim Rodriguez (196-1988) produced 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee) added 10 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astros moved-up to third place. Lobos BUAP lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Correcaminos. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lobos BUAP will play against Santos (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Astros: C.Sanders 18+3reb+4ast, R.Mendoza 15+2reb+6ast, T.McCallum 11+5reb, J.Rodriguez 10+2reb, R.Masques 9+6reb, J.Loveridge 9+3reb+1ast
Lobos BUAP: K.Rodriguez 23+5reb+5ast, D.Washington 15, J.Fields 10+10reb, E.Gonzalez 8+5reb+2ast, M.Esho 8+6reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 8+2reb

Diablos - Correcaminos 95-73

Very expected game when 15th ranked Correcaminos (5-13) were crushed on the road by fifth ranked Diablos (11-7) 95-73 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American JJ Avila (203-1991, college: Colorado St.) who scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. Five Diablos players scored in double figures. American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) produced 13 points and the other American import guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay) added 16 points and 4 blocks respectively for the guests. 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 maintains fifth place with 11-7 record, which they share with Plateros. Correcaminos at the other side dropped to the fourteenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Lobos BUAP. Diablos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Correcaminos will play against the league's second-placed Halc.Xalapa (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Diablos: M.Tavares 14+5reb, J.Avila 14+5reb+4ast, C.Mbodj 11+9reb+1ast, A.Holmes 11+2reb+2ast, G.Bonilla 11+5reb+1ast, M.Smith 10+1reb+2ast
Correcaminos: K.Hankerson 16+1reb+1ast, J.Faulkner 13+1reb, T.Hankerson 13+4reb+2ast, L.Elmore 8+8reb+1ast, M.Hernandez 6+2reb, N.Elmore 6+8reb+2ast

Fuerza Regia - Freseras 91-73

LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (15-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat thirteenth ranked Freseras (5-11) in Monterrey 91-73. Fuerza Regia dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Freseras' 20. They outrebounded Freseras 39-16 including a 29-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fuerza Regia players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. It was a quality performance for point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who led the winners and scored 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Power forward Jerai Grant (203-1989, college: Clemson, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Five Fuerza Regia players scored in double figures. Fuerza Regia's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Ty Gadsden (185-1996, college: UNCW, agency: Green Sports Management) came up with 17 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for Freseras in the defeat. Fuerza Regia have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-3 record. Freseras lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fuerza Regia: J.Grant 20+4reb+1ast, K.Ray 16+4reb+3ast, J.Ellisor 13+7reb+2ast, L.Faggiano 13+4reb+4ast, M.Speight 10+9reb+8ast, W.Langston 9+7reb+1ast
Freseras: T.Gadsden 17+4reb, A.Lillard 14+1reb+3ast, J.Ivey 13+3reb+5ast, J.Wheeler 8+2reb+3ast, M.Crawford 7+4reb+2ast, J.Lizarraga 6

Astros - Lobos BUAP 70-63

Very predictable result in Guadalajara where fourth ranked Astros (12-5) defeated 14th ranked Lobos BUAP (5-13) 70-63 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) who scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Tre McCallum (201-1995, college: DePaul, agency: MSG) chipped in 16 points. American guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) produced 9 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals and Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Astros moved-up to third place. Lobos BUAP lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Correcaminos. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lobos BUAP will play against Santos (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Astros: J.Loveridge 19+5reb+2ast, T.McCallum 16+3reb+1ast, T.Leslie 13+4reb, L.N'Guessan 7+5reb+1ast, R.Mendoza 5+4reb+2ast, C.Sanders 4+3reb+5ast
Lobos BUAP: M.Esho 15+5reb, D.Washington 9+9reb+7ast, J.Fields 9+8reb, G.Vazquez 8, K.Rodriguez 7+5reb+3ast, C.Eyenga 7+6reb+2ast