LNBP Round 36 (Regular Season): Fuerza Regia edge Halc.Xalapa by two points

The Regular Season in LNBP is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 36 in the LNBP took place in Xalapa. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (20-9) to second ranked Fuerza Regia (22-7) 85-83 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Halcones UV Xalapa. Fuerza Regia shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Jalen Adaway (196-1998, college: St.Bonaventure) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. American-Puerto Rican Jaysean Paige (188-1994, college: WVU) chipped in 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Senegalese-American guard Clevin Hannah (179-1987, college: Wichita St.) who recorded 23 points and 6 assists. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the third place with nine games lost. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Halc.Xalapa will play again at home against the league's leader Fuerza Regia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Chihuahua. Seventh ranked Dorados (17-12) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Panteras (17-12) 82-81 in the game for the sixth place. It was a good game for American point guard Lester Medford Jr. (178-1993, college: Baylor) who saved his team from a defeat with 17 points and 5 assists. Demitrius Conger contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Jaron Martin (178-1995, college: UC Irvine) replied with 12 points and 5 assists for Panteras. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dorados moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Panteras and Plateros. Panteras lost third consecutive game. Dorados will again play against Panteras (#8) in Aguascalientes in the next round. Panteras will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Astros (22-8) against sixteenth ranked Abejas (7-23) on Wednesday night. Visiting Astros were defeated by Abejas in a tough game in Guanajuato 87-91. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Astros. Worth to mention a great performance of Torren Jones who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Rigoberto Mendoza with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Abejas went down to seventeenth position due to points difference. Loser Astros keep the second place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Rest of the games of round 36 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Astros defeated Abejas in Guadalajara 120-109. Bottom-ranked Correcaminos were beaten by Plateros at home 79-88. Lobos BUAP lost to El Calor on the opponent's court 65-68. Soles outscored Mineros in a home game 91-57. Freseras rolled over Santos on the road 117-71.
The best stats of 36th round was 7 points and 8 rebounds by Franco Giorgetti of Dorados.



Abejas - Astros 109-120

There was no surprise in Guanajuato where 16th ranked Abejas (7-23) were defeated by second ranked Astros (22-8) 120-109 on Tuesday. Astros shot 65.6 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 24 long-distance shots on high 64.9 percentage. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Astros made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 6 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!) and American forward Jordan Loveridge (198-1993, college: Utah) who added 22 points and 6 assists during the contest. Astros' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Croatian-American point guard Nikolas Tomsick (183-1991, college: Fort Lewis) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 assists and American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) scored 26 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Astros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 22-8 record having just one point less than leader Fuerza Regia. Abejas lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventeenth place with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Abejas: T.Jones 26+7reb, N.Tomsick 22+3reb+10ast, T.Nuno 19+2reb+8ast, W.Yoakum 17+2reb+2ast, A.Banks 13+3reb+5ast, J.Contreras 7+3reb+2ast
Astros: R.Mendoza 22+4reb+6ast, M.Andriassi 22+1reb, J.Loveridge 22+2reb+6ast, M.McKinney 14+2reb+4ast, J.Cunningham 13+1reb+4ast, T.McCallum 10+2reb+3ast

Abejas - Astros 91-87

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Astros (22-8) against sixteenth ranked Abejas (7-23) on Wednesday night. Visiting Astros were defeated by Abejas in a tough game in Guanajuato 87-91. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Astros. Abejas made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds and Alahjan Banks who added 20 points and 6 rebounds (went 12 for 12 at the free throw line !!!) during the contest. Four Abejas players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) scored 23 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Abejas went down to seventeenth position due to points difference. Loser Astros keep the second place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Astros: M.McKinney 23+2reb+4ast, R.Mendoza 19+7reb+4ast, J.Loveridge 16+3ast, M.Andriassi 8+1ast, C.Sanders 7+1reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 6+1reb+3ast
Abejas: T.Jones 26+7reb, A.Banks 20+6reb+3ast, N.Tomsick 16+4reb+6ast, W.Yoakum 15+7reb, J.Lopez 4+5reb+3ast, T.Nuno 4+6reb+5ast

Correcaminos - Plateros 79-88

No shocking result in a game in Ciudad Victoria where sixth ranked Plateros (17-12) defeated 16th ranked Correcaminos (6-22) 88-79 on Thursday. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Puerto Rican Devon Collier (203-1991, college: Oregon St.) who helped to win the game recording 9 points and 11 rebounds and Argentinian point guard Facundo Vazquez (185-1998) who added 10 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay) with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) scored 20 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Four Correcaminos players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Plateros maintains sixth position with 17-12 record, which they share with Panteras and Dorados. Loser Correcaminos dropped to the eighteenth place with 22 games lost. Plateros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Correcaminos will play again against Plateros (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: T.Hankerson 20+3reb, K.Hankerson 16+6reb+4ast, T.Criswell 13+7reb+1ast, M.Hernandez 12+2reb+1ast, N.Elmore 8+12reb, J.Faulkner 5
Plateros: T.White 15+2ast, A.Matias 13+2reb, M.Bryson 13+3reb+2ast, F.Vazquez 10+7reb+3ast, D.McClenton 9+8reb, D.Collier 9+11reb+1ast

El Calor - Lobos BUAP 68-65

Very expected game in Cancun where 14th ranked Lobos BUAP (7-22) was edged by tenth ranked El Calor (14-15) 68-65 on Thursday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Archie Goodwin (196-1994, college: Kentucky) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) who added 11 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Karim Rodriguez (196-1988) with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and American center Julian Gamble (208-1989, college: Miami, FL, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 9 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. El Calor have a solid four-game winning streak. Despite that victory El Calor went down to twelfth position due to points difference. Lobos BUAP lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 22 games lost. El Calor will again meet at home bottom-ranked Lobos BUAP (#16) in the next round. Lobos BUAP will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Lobos BUAP: M.Esho 15+3reb, D.Washington 13+5reb+4ast, K.Rodriguez 12+8reb+4ast, J.Gamble 9+12reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 8+6reb+2ast, G.Vazquez 3+2reb+1ast
El Calor: A.Goodwin 13+7reb+4ast, A.Chidom 11+5reb+1ast, E.Zelionis 10+5reb+1ast, M.Fernandez 9+5reb, J.Lawson 8+6reb+2ast, L.Guerra 6+3reb+1ast

Soles - Mineros 91-57

Very predictable result in Mexicali where eighth ranked Soles (16-13) outscored 13th ranked Mineros (10-19) 91-57 on Thursday. Soles dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Mineros' 32. They outrebounded Mineros 45-27 including 16 on the offensive glass. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Mineros' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 9 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Kenneth Faried (203-1989, college: Morehead St.) who added 12 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Keith Stone (206-1997, college: Miami, FL) with 8 points and 8 rebounds and Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) scored 9 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Soles went down to ninth position due to points difference. Mineros lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the fifteenth place with 19 games lost. Soles will again meet at home Mineros (#15) in the next round where they are favorite. Mineros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Mineros: J.Pacheco 11+2ast, A.Spight 9+3reb+2ast, K.Stone 8+8reb+1ast, M.Ramos 7, D.Tucker 5+1reb, A.Kappos 5+7reb
Soles: R.Pearson 16+2reb, V.Alvarez 13+1reb+3ast, K.Faried 12+10reb, M.Watkins 12+6reb, E.Thomas 9+10reb+4ast, J.Webster 8+2reb+5ast

Santos - Freseras 71-117

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in San Luis Potosi where 11th ranked Santos (12-17) were outplayed by twelfth ranked Freseras (11-17) 117-71 on Thursday. Freseras dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Santos' 34. They outrebounded Santos 47-28 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Freseras looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Santos' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Khalil Iverson (196-1997, college: Wisconsin) who added 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Freseras' coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Turkish Alihan Demir (206-1996, college: Minnesota) with 20 points and 7 rebounds and American swingman Mario Kegler (201-1997, college: Baylor, agency: BIG) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Five Freseras and four Santos players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Freseras went down to fourteenth position due to points difference. Santos lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth place with 17 games lost. Freseras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santos will play again against Freseras (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santos: A.Demir 20+7reb, M.Kegler 15+7reb+2ast, M.Lee 11+2reb+1ast, J.Cruz 10+3reb, T.Fernandez 8+2reb+2ast, J.Luis Ramirez 2+1reb
Freseras: J.Ivey 19+10reb+3ast, M.McRae 17+3reb+3ast, J.Wheeler 14+3reb+7ast, K.Iverson 14+12reb+3ast, D.Giddens 14+5reb+1ast, A.Lillard 13+3reb+2ast

Halc.Xalapa - Fuerza Regia 83-85

The most exciting game of round 36 in the LNBP took place in Xalapa. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (20-9) to second ranked Fuerza Regia (22-7) 85-83 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Halcones UV Xalapa. Fuerza Regia shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Jalen Adaway (196-1998, college: St.Bonaventure) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. American-Puerto Rican Jaysean Paige (188-1994, college: WVU) chipped in 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Senegalese-American guard Clevin Hannah (179-1987, college: Wichita St.) who recorded 23 points and 6 assists and Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) added 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals respectively. Five Fuerza Regia and four Halc.Xalapa players scored in double figures. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Halc.Xalapa at the other side keeps the third place with nine games lost. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Halc.Xalapa will play again at home against the league's leader Fuerza Regia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: C.Hannah 23+2reb+6ast, N.Jovanovic 16+5reb+2ast, A.Elsener 13+10reb+4ast, T.McFadden 13+1reb+3ast, J.Camacho 7+6reb+1ast, J.Glynn 6+6reb+2ast
Fuerza Regia: J.Adaway 21+13reb+1ast, J.Grant 14+4reb+1ast, K.Ray 12+2reb, J.Paige 11+9reb+6ast, J.Dunn 11+1reb+1ast, M.Hesson 10+4reb+1ast

Dorados - Panteras 82-81

Important game to mention about took place in Chihuahua. Seventh ranked Dorados (17-12) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Panteras (17-12) 82-81 in the game for the sixth place. It was a good game for American point guard Lester Medford Jr. (178-1993, college: Baylor) who saved his team from a defeat with 17 points and 5 assists. The other American import Demitrius Conger (196-1990, college: St.Bonaventure) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Jaron Martin (178-1995, college: UC Irvine) replied with 12 points and 5 assists and the former international Fabian Jaimes (198-1992) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Panteras. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dorados moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Panteras and Plateros. Panteras lost third consecutive game. Dorados will again play against Panteras (#8) in Aguascalientes in the next round. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: F.Jaimes 14+5reb+2ast, W.Ferreira 13+4reb+2ast, G.Ricks 12+2reb+1ast, J.Martin 12+4reb+5ast, S.Lemon 10+3reb+2ast, J.Perkins 9+2reb+4ast
Dorados: L.Medford Jr. 17+2reb+5ast, D.Conger 17+5reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 11+2reb+4ast, K.Stokes 10+2ast, J.Estrada 8+1reb, F.Giorgetti 7+8reb+3ast