LNBP Round 31 (Regular Season): Abejas defeat Fuerza Regia

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fuerza Regia (20-5) in Guanajuato on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by sixteenth ranked Abejas (5-19) 87-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. Abejas had a 27-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Alahjan Banks contributed with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds for Fuerza Regia. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Abejas moved-up to fifteenth place. Defending champion Fuerza Regia still keeps top position with five games lost. Abejas are again looking forward to face league's leader Fuerza Regia in Monterrey in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round.
Another interesting game for Soles (13-12) which hosted in Mexicali against 5th ranked Panteras (16-9). Eighth ranked Soles crushed visitors 100-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Panteras. It was a great evening for American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Michael Watkins helped adding 12 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American point guard Jaron Martin (178-1995, college: UC Irvine) responded with 18 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Soles maintains eighth place with 13-12 record. Panteras at the other side keep the fifth position with nine games lost. Soles will again play against higher ranked Panteras (#5) in Aguascalientes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Panteras will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Cancun between El Calor and Plateros. Thirteenth ranked El Calor (10-14) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Plateros (14-11). El Calor managed to escape with a 3-point win 65-62 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It was an exceptional evening for Martin Fernandez who led the winners and scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Jose Martinez came up with 9 points and 7 rebounds for Plateros in the defeat. Plateros' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. El Calor have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Mineros and Freseras. Loser Plateros keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 31 Correcaminos were beaten by Dorados on the road 81-74. Santos lost to Halc.Rojos on its own court 83-96.
The most impressive performance of 31th round was 25 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by Deshawndre Washington of Halc.Rojos.



El Calor - Plateros 65-62

A very close game took place in Cancun between El Calor and Plateros. Thirteenth ranked El Calor (10-14) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Plateros (14-11). El Calor managed to escape with a 3-point win 65-62 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. El Calor made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Plateros turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for Argentinian swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Argentinian point guard Luciano Guerra (184-1997) accounted for 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Four El Calor players scored in double figures. Jose Martinez came up with 9 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Plateros in the defeat. Plateros' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. El Calor have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Mineros and Freseras. Loser Plateros keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Plateros: R.Bustamante 11+4reb, C.Harvey 11+3reb, T.White 10+5reb+1ast, J.Martinez 9+7reb+1ast, J.Anderson 9+6ast, A.Matias 4+5reb
El Calor: M.Fernandez 16+8reb, L.Guerra 14+5reb+2ast, A.Goodwin 12+3reb+2ast, R.Delgado 11+1reb+2ast, J.Lawson 5+8reb, J.Zesati 3+1reb

Dorados - Correcaminos 81-74

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Dorados (15-10) beat bottom-ranked Correcaminos (5-20) in Chihuahua 81-74 on Thursday. Dorados looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Lester Medford Jr (178-1993, college: Baylor) who led the winners and scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import Demitrius Conger (196-1990, college: St.Bonaventure) accounted for 21 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) came up with 23 points and 5 assists and American forward Lydell Elmore (206-1998, college: Camp-Harrodsburg) added 16 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Correcaminos in the defeat. Four Correcaminos players scored in double figures. Correcaminos' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Dorados maintains sixth place with 15-10 record. Correcaminos lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 20 games lost. Dorados will again meet at home bottom-ranked Correcaminos (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Correcaminos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: M.Hernandez 23+2reb+5ast, L.Elmore 16+9reb, T.Criswell 13+4reb, K.Hankerson 10+4reb+5ast, T.Hankerson 5+3reb+3ast, J.Faulkner 5+1reb
Dorados: D.Conger 21+5reb+2ast, L.Medford Jr. 18+5reb+7ast, K.Stokes 12+5reb+1ast, J.Estrada 9+2reb+1ast, F.Giorgetti 7+4reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 6+2reb+6ast

Abejas - Fuerza Regia 87-69

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fuerza Regia (20-5) in Guanajuato on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by sixteenth ranked Abejas (5-19) 87-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. Abejas had a 27-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Alahjan Banks contributed with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five Abejas players scored in double figures. American forward Wayne Langston (200-1993, college: Murray St.) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds and British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) added 13 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Fuerza Regia. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Abejas moved-up to fifteenth place. Defending champion Fuerza Regia still keeps top position with five games lost. Abejas are again looking forward to face league's leader Fuerza Regia in Monterrey in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fuerza Regia: W.Langston 17+6reb+3ast, M.Hesson 13+5reb+1ast, D.Willis 9+1reb+1ast, J.Adaway 8+5reb+1ast, L.Faggiano 7+2reb+4ast, J.Grant 6+5reb
Abejas: T.Jones 17+11reb+2ast, M.Heron 15+3reb+1ast, A.Banks 12+5reb+5ast, T.Nuno 12+5reb+3ast, N.Tomsick 12+1reb+7ast, W.Yoakum 9+3reb+2ast

Soles - Panteras 100-72

Another interesting game for Soles (13-12) which hosted in Mexicali against 5th ranked Panteras (16-9). Eighth ranked Soles crushed visitors 100-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Panteras. Soles dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Panteras' 38. They outrebounded Panteras 53-22 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Soles players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a great evening for American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) helped adding 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Soles players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Jaron Martin (178-1995, college: UC Irvine) responded with 18 points and the other American import guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) scored 12 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Soles maintains eighth place with 13-12 record. Panteras at the other side keep the fifth position with nine games lost. Soles will again play against higher ranked Panteras (#5) in Aguascalientes in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: J.Martin 18+2reb+2ast, G.Ricks 12+4ast, W.Ferreira 10+1reb, S.Lemon 7+3reb+3ast, J.Bibbs 7+2reb+4ast, J.Perkins 7+2reb+3ast
Soles: E.Thomas 23+10reb+4ast, R.Pearson 15+4reb, M.Watkins 12+8reb, J.Swing 11+3reb+5ast, L.Martinez 10+5reb+1ast, K.Faried 6+10reb+2ast

Santos - Halc.Rojos 83-96

There was a minor upset when 8th ranked Santos (12-13) lost to tenth ranked Halcones Rojos (11-14) in San Luis Potosi 83-96 on Thursday. Halc.Rojos outrebounded Santos 42-30 including a 12-0 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who led the winners and scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Nigerian-American power forward Ikechukwu Diogu (204-1983, college: Arizona St.) accounted for 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) came up with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) added 20 points respectively for Santos in the defeat. Four Halc.Rojos and five Santos players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Halc.Rojos maintains tenth place with 11-14 record. Santos lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. Halc.Rojos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santos will play against Halc.Rojos (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santos: T.Larrier 20+2reb+1ast, J.Cruz 14+2reb+1ast, J.Hughes III 13+3reb+1ast, R.Christmas 13+5reb, L.Bearden 12+6reb+6ast, T.Fernandez 7+4reb+2ast
Halc.Rojos: D.Washington 25+7reb+8ast, I.Diogu 19+10reb+1ast, K.Horton 16+6reb+1ast, C.Dougherty 14+4reb+1ast, M.Blackmon 9+5reb+4ast, D.Jefferson 6+7reb+1ast