LNBP Round 29 (Regular Season): Halc.Xalapa is defeated by Panteras

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (16-6) and fifth ranked Panteras (15-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Halcones UV Xalapa was defeated by Panteras in a tough game in Aguascalientes 99-103. Panteras made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) stepped up and scored 25 points and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import swingman Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. The former international point guard Paul Stoll (180-1985) responded with 10 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Panteras moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Diablos. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. They share it with Astros. Panteras is looking forward to face higher ranked Halc.Xalapa (#3) in Xalapa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Halc.Xalapa will have a break next round.
LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (19-4) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eighth ranked Santos (12-11) in Monterrey 90-77. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Santos. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) nailed 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Jalen Adaway accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) came up with 16 points and 5 rebounds for Santos in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-4 record. Santos at the other side keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Fuerza Regia will again play against Santos (#8) in San Luis Potosi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santos will have a break next round.
An interesting game took place in Irapuato where higher ranked Dorados (13-10) were upset on the court of eleventh ranked Freseras (10-13) 98-76 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Jimond Ivey who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Franco Giorgetti produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds 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. Freseras moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mineros. Loser Dorados keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Freseras will again meet at home higher ranked Dorados (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dorados will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 29: El Calor won against Correcaminos on the opponent's court 81-76. Plateros managed to outperform Soles in a home game 96-91. Diablos managed to beat Lobos BUAP on the road 98-86. Mineros defeated Abejas on its own court 78-71. Astros beat Halc.Rojos in Guadalajara 84-71.



Fuerza Regia - Santos 90-77

LNBP top team - Fuerza Regia (19-4) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eighth ranked Santos (12-11) in Monterrey 90-77. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Santos. Fuerza Regia players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Santos' players. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) nailed 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and guard Jalen Adaway (196-1998, college: St.Bonaventure) accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) came up with 16 points and 5 rebounds and forward Johnny Hughes III (201-1997, college: UIW) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Santos in the defeat. Four Fuerza Regia and five Santos players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-4 record. Santos at the other side keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Fuerza Regia will again play against Santos (#8) in San Luis Potosi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santos: T.Larrier 16+5reb, J.Hughes III 13+6reb, J.Cruz 13+2reb, L.Bearden 12+2reb+3ast, T.Fernandez 10+2reb+6ast, M.Kegler 7+4reb+2ast
Fuerza Regia: K.Ray 17+6reb+4ast, M.Hesson 15+3reb+1ast, J.Adaway 12+5reb+3ast, J.Grant 11+4reb, J.Machado 11+3reb+3ast, J.Dunn 8+4reb+3ast

Correcaminos - El Calor 76-81

Rather expected game in Ciudad Victoria where 15th ranked Correcaminos (5-18) were defeated by thirteenth ranked El Calor (8-14) 81-76 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American Joe Lawson (200-1992, college: Indianapolis) who scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Lithuanian center Egidijus Mockevicius (208-1992, college: Evansville) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. Lawson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay) produced 33 points (!!!) (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) and swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. El Calor maintains thirteenth place with 8-14 record. Correcaminos lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth position with 18 games lost. El Calor will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Correcaminos will play again against El Calor (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: K.Hankerson 33+2reb, M.Hernandez 11+5reb+2ast, T.Hankerson 11+4reb+2ast, L.Elmore 8+6reb+1ast, D.Trasvina 6+1reb, F.Niles 4+3reb
El Calor: J.Lawson 20+6reb, A.Chidom 15+4reb, E.Mockevicius 13+9reb+1ast, L.Guerra 9+1reb+2ast, R.Delgado 9+1reb+2ast, H.Guillent 6+2reb+1ast

Plateros - Soles 96-91

Rather predictable result in Fresnillo where seventh ranked Plateros (14-9) defeated 9th ranked Soles (11-12) 96-91 on Saturday. Strangely Soles outrebounded Plateros 53-36 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Plateros looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Deion McClenton (208, college: Keiser) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. American-Puerto Rican forward Angel Matias (194-1992, college: Georgia South) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) added 19 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Soles' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Plateros moved-up to sixth place. Loser Soles keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. Plateros will again meet at home Soles (#9) in the next round. Soles will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Soles: E.Thomas 19+8reb, D.Hamilton 17+6reb+8ast, R.Pearson 15+4reb, K.Faried 10+9reb, J.Swing 9+4reb+1ast, M.Watkins 7+12reb+1ast
Plateros: R.Bustamante 17+1reb+1ast, D.McClenton 15+10reb+1ast, J.Anderson 15+1reb+5ast, A.Matias 15+6reb+5ast, M.Bryson 14+3reb+1ast, C.Harvey 8+4reb+2ast

Lobos BUAP - Diablos 86-98

Not a big story in a game in Puebla where 14th ranked Lobos BUAP (6-17) was defeated by fourth ranked Diablos (15-8) 98-86 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Argentinian guard Luciano Gonzalez (194-1990) who scored 21 points. American guard Avry Holmes (185-1994, college: Clemson) chipped in 14 points. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. American guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) produced 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international Gabriel Vazquez (206-1994) added 20 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Diablos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 15-8 record, which they share with Panteras. Loser Lobos BUAP keeps the fourteenth position with 17 games lost. Diablos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lobos BUAP will play again against Diablos (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Lobos BUAP: G.Vazquez 20+6reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 18+3reb, D.Washington 15+7reb+7ast, J.Fields 9+4reb+1ast, J.Gamble 8+6reb, M.Esho 7+1reb+1ast
Diablos: L.Gonzalez 21+3reb+3ast, A.Holmes 14+2reb+3ast, G.Bonilla 12+1reb+4ast, J.Ibarra 12+5reb+1ast, M.Smith 11+2reb+2ast, M.Tavares 10+5reb

Freseras - Dorados 98-76

An interesting game took place in Irapuato where higher ranked Dorados (13-10) were upset on the court of eleventh ranked Freseras (10-13) 98-76 on Saturday. Freseras made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import guard Jamari Wheeler (185-1997, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Argentinian forward Franco Giorgetti (203-1992) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and American power forward Charles Mitchell (203-1993, college: Georgia Tech) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. 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. Freseras moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mineros. Loser Dorados keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Freseras will again meet at home higher ranked Dorados (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dorados will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dorados: F.Giorgetti 19+10reb+2ast, D.Conger 15+4reb+1ast, B.Washington 13+7reb+2ast, C.Mitchell 12+9reb+1ast, E.Clarance 8+3reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 5+3reb+3ast
Freseras: J.Ivey 33+12reb+4ast, J.Wheeler 20+7reb+4ast, A.Lillard 16+7reb+3ast, T.Corbett 11+9reb, T.Gadsden 5+2reb+3ast, J.Lizarraga 5+1reb+1ast

Mineros - Abejas 78-71

Everything went according to plan in Zacatecas where twelfth ranked Mineros (10-13) beat bottom-ranked Abejas (3-19) 78-71 on Saturday. Mineros made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) who scored 30 points and 5 assists. South Sudanese-Lebanese center Ater Majok (210-1987, college: UConn) chipped in 8 points and 15 rebounds. Croatian-American point guard Nikolas Tomsick (183-1991, college: Fort Lewis) produced 16 points and American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Mineros moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Freseras. Loser Abejas stay dead last with 19 lost games. Mineros will again meet at home bottom-ranked Abejas (#16) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Abejas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Abejas: N.Tomsick 16+2ast, M.Heron 11+5reb+1ast, W.Yoakum 8+6reb+1ast, T.Nuno 8+7reb+1ast, J.Lopez 8+4reb, A.Banks 7+4reb+3ast
Mineros: A.Spight 30+5ast, B.Nazione 13+2reb+1ast, J.Pacheco 10+2reb+10ast, A.Majok 8+15reb+1ast, M.Ramos 7+7reb+1ast, A.Kappos 6+6reb

Halc.Rojos - Astros 71-84

There was no surprise in Veracruz where 12th ranked Halcones Rojos (9-14) were defeated by third ranked Astros (16-6) 84-71 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who scored 16 points. American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) chipped in 15 points. American forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Halc.Rojos players scored in double figures. Halcones Rojos' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Astros moved-up to second place, which they share with Halc.Xalapa. Loser Halcones Rojos keep the twelfth position with 14 games lost. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Halc.Rojos will play again against the league's second-placed Astros (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Halc.Rojos: E.Ayala 16+1reb+1ast, I.Gandia-Rosa 12+1reb+2ast, K.Horton 12+10reb+3ast, D.Washington 12+9reb+1ast, M.Blackmon 9+2reb, I.Diogu 5+2reb+1ast
Astros: R.Mendoza 16+3reb+3ast, J.Loveridge 15+3reb+3ast, T.McCallum 11+3reb+1ast, R.Miranda 9+6reb, L.N'Guessan 9+8reb, C.Sanders 9+5reb+2ast

Panteras - Halc.Xalapa 103-99

The game between second ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (16-6) and fifth ranked Panteras (15-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Halcones UV Xalapa was defeated by Panteras in a tough game in Aguascalientes 99-103. Panteras made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) stepped up and scored 25 points and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import swingman Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. The former international point guard Paul Stoll (180-1985) responded with 10 points and 8 assists and Serbian power forward Nikola Jovanovic (211-1994, college: USC) scored 18 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Four Panteras and five Halc.Xalapa players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Panteras moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Diablos. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. They share it with Astros. Panteras is looking forward to face higher ranked Halc.Xalapa (#3) in Xalapa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Halc.Xalapa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: N.Jovanovic 18+3reb+1ast, G.Giron 15+5reb+1ast, C.Hannah 14+3ast, S.Henry 14+2reb, T.McFadden 14+2reb+1ast, P.Stoll 10+4reb+8ast
Panteras: G.Ricks 25+3reb+4ast, S.Lemon 16+8reb+3ast, W.Ferreira 14+2reb, J.Martin 14+5ast, J.Bibbs 9+2reb+1ast, F.Jaimes 9+5reb+4ast