LNBP Round 38 (Regular Season): #1 Fuerza Regia is defeated by Soles

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fuerza Regia (23-8) in Mexicali on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Soles (18-13) 83-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. Soles made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Soles had a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Kenneth Faried (203-1989, college: Morehead St.) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. American-Puerto Rican Jaysean Paige (188-1994, college: WVU) responded with 18 points and 4 assists. Fuerza Regia's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Soles have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Dorados and Plateros. Defending champion Fuerza Regia still keeps top position with eight games lost. They share it with Astros. Soles is again looking forward to face league's leader Fuerza Regia in Monterrey in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in . 3rd ranked host Diablos (20-11) lost to second ranked Astros (23-8) 107-102. Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) notched 23 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and Mikh McKinney supported him with 22 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Even 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks by the former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) did not help to save the game for Diablos. Diablos' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Astros used an opportunity after Fuerza Regia lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Halc.Xalapa. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Diablos will play again at home against the league's second-placed Astros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Fourteenth-ranked Abejas (7-24) gave a tough game to eleventh ranked Santos (14-17) in Guanajuato on Tuesday. The visitors from San Luis Potosi managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Alihan Demir who scored 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Torren Jones produced 25 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. Santos maintains eleventh position with 14-17 record. Loser Abejas dropped to the fifteenth place with 24 games lost. They share the position with Lobos BUAP. Santos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play again against Santos (#11) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 38: Panteras won against Correcaminos on the opponent's court 86-81. El Calor managed to outperform Mineros in a home game 86-81. Bottom-ranked Lobos BUAP was rolled over Dorados on the road 111-80. Freseras were defeated by Plateros on its own court 97-103. Halc.Xalapa was beaten by Halc.Rojos in Veracruz 75-67.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists by Deshawndre Washington of Halc.Rojos.



Correcaminos - Panteras 81-86

Very expected game in Ciudad Victoria where 14th ranked Correcaminos (7-23) were defeated by fifth ranked Panteras (19-12) 86-81 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was Brazilian Wesley Ferreira (201-1995) who scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. The former international Fabian Jaimes (198-1992) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Swingman Manuel Hernandez (193-1991) produced 22 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) added 20 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Panteras maintains fifth position with 19-12 record. Loser Correcaminos keep the fourteenth place with 23 games lost. Panteras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Correcaminos will play again against Panteras (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Panteras: J.Martin 23+2reb, W.Ferreira 18+9reb+2ast, F.Jaimes 12+13reb+3ast, D.Huertas 11+2reb, G.Ricks 9+2reb+2ast, J.Perkins 9+5reb+3ast
Correcaminos: M.Hernandez 22+5reb, T.Criswell 20+2reb, A.Parks 10+1reb+3ast, J.Faulkner 10+1reb, T.Hankerson 8, K.Hankerson 5+2reb+2ast

El Calor - Mineros 86-81

Rather predictable result in Cancun where ninth ranked El Calor (16-15) defeated 13th ranked Mineros (10-21) 86-81 on Tuesday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. El Calor looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian Edgaras Zelionis (207-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Argentinian swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-1995, college: N.Colorado) produced 19 points and 4 assists and Canadian-Puerto Rican Alexander Kappos (208-1997, college: Dalhousie) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Five El Calor and four Mineros players scored in double figures. Mineros' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. El Calor have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 16-15 record, which they share with Halc.Rojos. Mineros lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 21 games lost. El Calor will again meet at home Mineros (#13) in the next round. Mineros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
El Calor: E.Zelionis 17+11reb+3ast, M.Fernandez 14+5reb+3ast, J.Lawson 14+5reb, A.Chidom 13+6reb+2ast, V.Blue 10+3reb+6ast, L.Guerra 8+1reb
Mineros: A.Spight 19+2reb+4ast, A.Kappos 17+8reb, A.Majok 11+5reb, B.Nazione 10+2reb+2ast, D.Tucker 10+2reb, J.Pacheco 8+3reb+8ast

Abejas - Santos 83-84

Fourteenth-ranked Abejas (7-24) gave a tough game to eleventh ranked Santos (14-17) in Guanajuato on Tuesday. The visitors from San Luis Potosi managed to secure only one-point victory 84-83. However their fans expected easier game. Strangely Abejas outrebounded Santos 38-25 including 27 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Turkish Alihan Demir (206-1996, college: Minnesota) who scored 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Terry Larrier (203-1995, college: UConn) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Four Santos players scored in double figures. American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) produced 25 points and 9 rebounds and Alahjan Banks added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Santos maintains eleventh position with 14-17 record. Loser Abejas dropped to the fifteenth place with 24 games lost. They share the position with Lobos BUAP. Santos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play again against Santos (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santos: T.Fernandez 18+1reb+3ast, T.Larrier 17+7reb, A.Demir 16+9reb+6ast, M.Lee 13+2reb+6ast, K.Stephens 8+3reb, J.Cruz 5+1reb+4ast
Abejas: T.Jones 25+9reb+3ast, T.Nuno 13+4reb+3ast, A.Banks 12+5reb+4ast, J.Contreras 10+3reb, J.Lopez 8+6reb+3ast, N.Tomsick 7+5reb+4ast

Soles - Fuerza Regia 83-72

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fuerza Regia (23-8) in Mexicali on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Soles (18-13) 83-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fuerza Regia. Soles made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Soles had a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Kenneth Faried (203-1989, college: Morehead St.) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Argentinian Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. American-Puerto Rican Jaysean Paige (188-1994, college: WVU) responded with 18 points and 4 assists and forward Sebastian Reynoso-Jimenez (203-2000, college: Park) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Fuerza Regia's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Soles have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Dorados and Plateros. Defending champion Fuerza Regia still keeps top position with eight games lost. They share it with Astros. Soles is again looking forward to face league's leader Fuerza Regia in Monterrey in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Soles: K.Faried 17+15reb+1ast, R.Pearson 17+3reb+4ast, E.Thomas 15+7reb+3ast, J.Webster 8+1reb+5ast, D.Hamilton 7+6reb+1ast, L.Martinez 7+5reb+5ast
Fuerza Regia: J.Paige 18+4reb+4ast, J.Dunn 11+3reb+3ast, S.Reynoso-Jimenez 10+9reb+1ast, J.Adaway 8+7reb, M.Speight 7+2reb+4ast, J.Machado 7+2reb+1ast

Dorados - Lobos BUAP 111-80

Not a big story in a game in Chihuahua where 16th ranked Lobos BUAP (7-24) was rolled over by sixth ranked Dorados (18-13) 111-80 on Tuesday. Dorados shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 59.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Lobos BUAP's players. The best player for the winners was American forward Bryce Washington (203-1996, college: Louisiana) who scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Venezuelan point guard David Cubillan (181-1987, college: Marquette) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. American center Julian Gamble (208-1989, college: Miami, FL, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds and the former international guard Karim Rodriguez (196-1988) added 21 points and 8 assists 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. Dorados maintains sixth position with 18-13 record, which they share with Soles and Plateros. Lobos BUAP lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 24 lost games. They share the position with Abejas. Dorados will again meet at home bottom-ranked Lobos BUAP (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Lobos BUAP will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dorados: D.Cubillan 17+2reb+4ast, K.Stokes 16+1reb+2ast, D.Conger 14+1reb, B.Washington 14+7reb+6ast, J.Estrada 9+6reb+1ast, L.Medford Jr. 8+2reb+6ast
Lobos BUAP: J.Gamble 26+9reb+3ast, K.Rodriguez 21+3reb+8ast, C.Eyenga 14+6reb, E.Gonzalez 8+4reb+3ast, I.Palermo 5+2reb, G.Vazquez 2+2reb+1ast

Freseras - Plateros 97-103

Everything went according to plan in Irapuato where seventh ranked Plateros (18-13) beat 12th ranked Freseras (11-19) 103-97 on Tuesday. Plateros made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Freseras turnovers. Plateros looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) who scored 23 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) chipped in 17 points and 5 assists. Plateros' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Point guard Pedro Leal-Cruz (185-2000, college: Life Pacific) produced 24 points and 6 rebounds and guard Antwon Lillard (198-1995, college: BGSU) added 22 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Freseras players scored in double figures. Plateros moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Soles and Dorados. Loser Freseras keep the twelfth position with 19 games lost. Plateros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Freseras will play again against Plateros (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Plateros: T.White 23+2reb+2ast, D.Collier 18+5reb+2ast, M.Bryson 17+4reb+5ast, A.Matias 12+3reb+1ast, D.McClenton 10+6reb, C.Harvey 8+4ast
Freseras: P.Leal-Cruz 24+6reb+3ast, A.Lillard 22+7reb+2ast, T.Gadsden 18+5reb+3ast, K.Iverson 12+5reb, D.Giddens 7+3reb+1ast, J.Wheeler 7+2reb+6ast

Diablos - Astros 102-107

The game between Top Four teams took place in . 3rd ranked host Diablos (20-11) lost to second ranked Astros (23-8) 107-102. Astros made 26-of-31 charity shots (83.9 percent) during the game. Diablos were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Dominican Rigoberto Mendoza (191-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) notched 23 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) supported him with 22 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Even 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks by the former international center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) did not help to save the game for Diablos. American guard Avry Holmes (185-1994, college: Clemson) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Five Astros and four Diablos players scored in double figures. Diablos' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Astros used an opportunity after Fuerza Regia lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Halc.Xalapa. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Diablos will play again at home against the league's second-placed Astros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Astros: R.Mendoza 23+5reb+1ast, M.McKinney 22+3reb+3ast, C.Sanders 18+4reb+6ast, J.Loveridge 17+3reb+1ast, L.N'Guessan 11+8reb, J.Cunningham 7+3reb+1ast
Diablos: J.Ibarra 28+8reb+2ast, A.Holmes 20+5reb+5ast, J.Avila 17+8reb+4ast, M.Smith 16+3reb+3ast, S.Scala 9+2reb+5ast, M.Dime 5+3reb

Halc.Rojos - Halc.Xalapa 75-67

There was an upset in Veracruz where higher ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (20-11) was defeated by tenth ranked Halcones Rojos (16-15) 75-67 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was American guard Deshawndre Washington (201, college: NM State) who scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The other American import forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and Austrian-Slovenian center Rasid Mahalbasic (210-1990) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Halc.Xalapa players scored in double figures. Halcones UV Xalapa's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Halc.Rojos moved-up to ninth place, which they share with El Calor. Halc.Xalapa lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with 11 games lost. They share it with Diablos. Halc.Rojos will meet higher ranked Halc.Xalapa (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Halc.Xalapa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Halc.Rojos: D.Washington 20+8reb+8ast, K.Horton 15+8reb+2ast, I.Gandia-Rosa 14+3reb+7ast, D.Jefferson 8+6reb+1ast, E.Minnie 7+3reb, C.Dougherty 5+1reb
Halc.Xalapa: J.Glynn 16+11reb, R.Mahalbasic 14+5reb+3ast, S.Henry 11+3reb+1ast, C.Hannah 10+1ast, A.Elsener 6+1reb+2ast, T.McFadden 5+5reb+1ast