LNBP Round 28 (Regular Season): Halc.Xalapa lose to Plateros

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Xalapa between second ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (16-5) and seventh ranked Plateros (13-9) on Wednesday night. Halcones UV Xalapa was defeated by Plateros in a tough game at home 81-86. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Halcones UV Xalapa. Plateros outrebounded Halc.Xalapa 42-31 including 34 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Deion McClenton (208, college: Keiser) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). The other American import guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) contributed with 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Senegalese-American guard Clevin Hannah (179-1987, college: Wichita St.) replied with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Halc.Xalapa. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Plateros moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Dorados. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Plateros is looking forward to face Soles (#9) in Mexicali in the next round. Halc.Xalapa will play on the road against Panteras (#5) in Aguascalientes and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Fuerza Regia (18-4) which played road game in Guadalajara against 3rd ranked Astros (15-6). First ranked Fuerza Regia had an easy win 89-63. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Astros. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American point guard Jhonathan Dunn (193-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and Wayne Langston who added 20 points during the contest. At the losing side American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) responded with 16 points. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-4 record. Astros at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. Fuerza Regia will play against Santos (#8) in San Luis Potosi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Astros will play on the road against Halc.Rojos (#10) in Veracruz and hope to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Abejas managed to get a third victory on Wednesday night. This time they won against fourteenth-ranked Lobos BUAP in Guanajuato 92-86. The winners were led by Mustapha Heron who scored that evening 21 points. Abejas' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 21 points by Maxie Esho did not help to save the game for Lobos BUAP. Abejas maintains sixteenth position with 3-18 record. Lobos BUAP lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 16 games lost. Abejas will meet higher ranked Mineros (#12) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Lobos BUAP will play against Diablos having rather not much hope for a victory.

Other games in round 28 were not that significant. Dorados were smashed by El Calor on the road 90-71. Santos won against Mineros on its own court 87-82. Correcaminos unfortunately lost to Soles in Mexicali 83-96. Diablos rolled over Panteras at home 95-69. Freseras were defeated by Halc.Rojos on the opponent's court 67-56. Bottom-ranked Abejas were beaten by Lobos BUAP in a home game 92-97.
The most impressive performance of 28th round was 23 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by Nikolas Tomsick of Abejas.



El Calor - Dorados 90-71

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked El Calor (7-14) crushed higher ranked Dorados (13-9) in Cancun 90-71 on Wednesday. El Calor made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American Joe Lawson (200-1992, college: Indianapolis) who scored that evening 19 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Archie Goodwin (196-1994, college: Kentucky) supported him with 22 points. Lawson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 12 points and 9 rebounds by American power forward Charles Mitchell (203-1993, college: Georgia Tech) did not help to save the game for Dorados. Argentinian forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992) added 10 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. 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 maintains thirteenth position with 7-14 record. Loser Dorados dropped to the sixth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Plateros. El Calor will meet Correcaminos (#15) in the next round. Dorados will play against Freseras (#11) in Irapuato and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Dorados: K.Stokes 15+2reb+3ast, C.Mitchell 12+9reb+3ast, L.Medford Jr. 11+4reb+3ast, F.Giorgetti 10+8reb+2ast, J.Estrada 9+1reb, B.Washington 7+7reb+1ast
El Calor: A.Goodwin 22+3reb, J.Lawson 19+6reb+1ast, A.Chidom 13+6reb+1ast, R.Delgado 13+2reb, M.Fernandez 10+4reb, E.Mockevicius 7+7reb

Santos - Mineros 87-82

Rather expected game when 11th ranked Mineros (9-13) lost to eighth ranked Santos (12-10) in San Luis Potosi 82-87 on Wednesday. The winners were led by American forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) who scored that evening 27 points and 9 rebounds and American-Puerto Rican point guard Tjader Fernandez (178-1994) supported him with 20 points. Even 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) did not help to save the game for Mineros. American forward Keith Stone (206-1997, college: Miami, FL) added 14 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Four Mineros players scored in double figures. Santos have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 12-10 record. Mineros lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Halc.Rojos and Freseras. Santos will meet league's leader Fuerza Regia in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Mineros will play against Abejas (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mineros: A.Spight 22+6reb+7ast, B.Nazione 15+3reb, K.Stone 14+9reb+2ast, J.Pacheco 11+1reb+5ast, A.Majok 7+7reb+1ast, A.Kappos 5+3reb
Santos: T.Larrier 27+9reb+1ast, T.Fernandez 20+3reb+3ast, M.Kegler 14+9reb, J.Cruz 10+2reb+1ast, L.Bearden 7+4reb+7ast, R.Christmas 7+10reb+3ast

Abejas - Lobos BUAP 92-86

Bottom-ranked Abejas managed to get a third victory on Wednesday night. This time they won against fourteenth-ranked Lobos BUAP in Guanajuato 92-86. Abejas outrebounded Lobos BUAP 43-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) who scored that evening 21 points and the other American import power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) supported him with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Abejas' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 21 points by Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) did not help to save the game for Lobos BUAP. The former international guard Karim Rodriguez (196-1988) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for lost side. Four Lobos BUAP players scored in double figures. Abejas maintains sixteenth position with 3-18 record. Lobos BUAP lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 16 games lost. Abejas will meet higher ranked Mineros (#12) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Lobos BUAP will play against Diablos having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Lobos BUAP: M.Esho 21+4reb+3ast, C.Eyenga 16+2reb+3ast, K.Rodriguez 13+6reb+7ast, J.Gamble 11+9reb, J.Fields 7+5reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 7+1reb+4ast
Abejas: M.Heron 21+4reb+3ast, A.Banks 16+3reb, T.Jones 14+7reb+2ast, W.Yoakum 9+5reb+4ast, N.Tomsick 7+2reb+2ast, T.Nuno 7+11reb+5ast

Soles - Correcaminos 96-83

Very predictable result when ninth ranked Soles (11-11) won against 15th ranked Correcaminos (5-17) in Mexicali 96-83 on Wednesday. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American forward Ryan Pearson (198-1990, college: GMU, agency: Inception Sports) who scored that evening 22 points and 9 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and the other American import Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) supported him with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Four Soles players scored in double figures. Even 27 points by swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) did not help to save the game for Correcaminos. American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay) added 20 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Soles maintains ninth position with 11-11 record. Correcaminos lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 17 games lost. Soles will meet higher ranked Plateros (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Correcaminos will play against El Calor (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: M.Hernandez 27+4reb+2ast, K.Hankerson 20+2reb+1ast, A.Parks 10+4reb+5ast, F.Niles 8+5reb+1ast, N.Elmore 8+10reb+2ast, L.Elmore 5+2reb+1ast
Soles: R.Pearson 22+4reb+9ast, L.Martinez 17+2reb+2ast, D.Hamilton 16+5reb+2ast, J.Swing 11+2reb+2ast, M.Watkins 9+5reb, J.Webster 7+5reb+3ast

Halc.Xalapa - Plateros 81-86

The most important game in the last round took place in Xalapa between second ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (16-5) and seventh ranked Plateros (13-9) on Wednesday night. Halcones UV Xalapa was defeated by Plateros in a tough game at home 81-86. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Halcones UV Xalapa. Plateros outrebounded Halc.Xalapa 42-31 including 34 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Deion McClenton (208, college: Keiser) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). The other American import guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) contributed with 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Senegalese-American guard Clevin Hannah (179-1987, college: Wichita St.) replied with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) added 10 points in the effort for Halc.Xalapa. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Plateros moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Dorados. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Plateros is looking forward to face Soles (#9) in Mexicali in the next round. Halc.Xalapa will play on the road against Panteras (#5) in Aguascalientes and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: C.Hannah 17+5reb+5ast, T.McFadden 11+1reb, A.Elsener 10+4reb, J.Glynn 8+4reb+2ast, N.Jovanovic 7+1reb+2ast, G.Giron 7+2reb
Plateros: M.Bryson 17+6reb+2ast, D.McClenton 17+8reb, A.Matias 12+6reb, J.Anderson 9+3reb+4ast, D.Collier 9+2reb+1ast, C.Harvey 8+4reb+3ast

Diablos - Panteras 95-69

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when one of their biggest challengers Panteras (14-8) were outscored on the road by fifth ranked Diablos (14-8) 95-69 on Wednesday. Diablos had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 56.0 percentage. Diablos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Panteras' players. The winners were led by the former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) who scored that evening 15 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and American JJ Avila (203-1991, college: Colorado St.) supported him with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 11 points by American guard Justin Bibbs (196-1996, college: Virginia Tech) did not help to save the game for Panteras. His fellow American import guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) added 11 points for lost side. 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 moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Panteras. Diablos will meet Lobos BUAP (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Panteras will play against the league's second-placed Halc.Xalapa (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Panteras: G.Ricks 11+2reb+2ast, J.Bibbs 11+3reb+2ast, S.Lemon 10+4reb+1ast, J.Martin 9+3reb+1ast, J.Perkins 6+2ast, W.Ferreira 6+5reb
Diablos: J.Avila 15+6reb+4ast, J.Ibarra 15+9reb+2ast, A.Holmes 14+3reb+4ast, M.Smith 9+3reb+3ast, A.Harrison 8+3reb+2ast, S.Scala 8+2reb+2ast

Astros - Fuerza Regia 63-89

An interesting game for Fuerza Regia (18-4) which played road game in Guadalajara against 3rd ranked Astros (15-6). First ranked Fuerza Regia had an easy win 89-63. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Astros. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American point guard Jhonathan Dunn (193-1998, college: S.Nazarene) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and American forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) who added 20 points during the contest. Four Fuerza Regia players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) responded with 16 points and Dutch center Lucas NGuessan (213-1997, college: ETSU) scored 9 points and 7 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-4 record. Astros at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. Fuerza Regia will play against Santos (#8) in San Luis Potosi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Astros will play on the road against Halc.Rojos (#10) in Veracruz and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Astros: M.McKinney 16+3reb+3ast, J.Loveridge 10+6reb+1ast, T.McCallum 9+6reb, L.N'Guessan 9+7reb+1ast, R.Miranda 7+3reb, C.Sanders 6+3reb+4ast
Fuerza Regia: J.Dunn 20+2reb+1ast, W.Langston 20+2reb, K.Ray 15+1reb+3ast, J.Adaway 10+10reb+2ast, J.Machado 9, M.Speight 7+7reb+3ast

Halc.Rojos - Freseras 67-56

There was a small surprise when twelfth ranked Halcones Rojos (9-13) defeated 10th ranked Freseras (9-13) in Veracruz 67-56 on Wednesday. Halc.Rojos outrebounded Freseras 58-35 including a 40-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who scored that evening 24 points and 9 rebounds and forward Davon Jefferson (203-1986, college: USC) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Even 7 points and 9 rebounds by forward Tyree Corbett (201-2000, college: Denver) did not help to save the game for Freseras. Guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) added 11 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Halc.Rojos moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mineros and Freseras. Halc.Rojos will meet at home higher ranked Astros (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Freseras will play against Dorados (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Freseras: J.Ivey 11+3reb+1ast, M.Crawford 10+1reb, T.Corbett 7+9reb, D.Giddens 7+4reb, J.Wheeler 6+3reb, A.Lillard 6+5reb
Halc.Rojos: D.Washington 24+9reb+1ast, D.Jefferson 15+8reb+1ast, I.Gandia-Rosa 8+3reb+3ast, E.Ayala 7+3reb+1ast, I.Diogu 7+8reb, M.Blackmon 4+9reb

Abejas - Lobos BUAP 92-97

There was no surprise when 16th ranked Abejas (3-18) lost to fourteenth ranked Lobos BUAP (6-16) in Guanajuato 92-97 on Thursday. Lobos BUAP looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Lobos BUAP made 7 blocks. The winners were led by DR Congolese Christian Eyenga (198-1989) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks and Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even 23 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by Croatian-American point guard Nikolas Tomsick (183-1991, college: Fort Lewis) did not help to save the game for Abejas. American guard Tomas Nuno (196, college: CMU) added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Five Lobos BUAP and four Abejas players scored in double figures. Lobos BUAP maintains fourteenth position with 6-16 record. Loser Abejas stay at the bottom place with 18 games lost. Lobos BUAP will meet at home higher ranked Diablos (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Abejas will play against Mineros (#12) in Zacatecas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Abejas: N.Tomsick 23+7reb+8ast, M.Heron 17+1reb+2ast, T.Nuno 14+8reb+5ast, W.Yoakum 13+3reb+3ast, A.Banks 9+3reb+4ast, J.Lopez 8+3reb
Lobos BUAP: M.Esho 17+7reb, D.Washington 14+2reb+8ast, C.Eyenga 14+10reb+6ast, J.Gamble 12+8reb+1ast, J.Fields 12+8reb, I.Palermo 11+3reb