LSB Round 6: Real Esteli lose their first game against Leon

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Real Esteli (5-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were edged by third ranked Leon (4-1) 88-87. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Real Esteli. Leon looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Puerto Rican forward Luis Cuascut (196-98, college: PR-Bayamon) had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Puerto Rican guard Jared Ruiz (188-92) with 31 points and 4 assists. Real Esteli's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Leon maintains third position with 4-1 record behind leader Real Esteli. Real Esteli at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. Leon are looking forward to face league's second-placed Costa Caribe in Managua in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Real Esteli will play against Rivas and is hoping to win this game.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Managua: Costa Caribe (#2) and Leones (#5). Costa Caribe (5-2) won against visiting Leones (2-3) 66-58. Joel Cubillas notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Osmel Oliva supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds by Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) did not help to save the game for Leones. Leones' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Costa Caribe maintains second position with 5-2 record having just one point less than leader Real Esteli. Leones at the other side keep the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Jinotega. Costa Caribe will play against Leon (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Leones will play against Rivas and hope to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Indigenas managed to get a second victory on Tuesday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Chinandega in Matagalpa 98-81. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference proves that Indigenas was well-prepared to that game. The best player for the winners was Felix Rivera-Vega who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 16 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Marcus Faison who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Indigenas (2-4) moved-up to seventh place. Chinandega lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with five games lost. Indigenas will meet higher ranked Leones (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Chinandega will have a break next round.
Seventh ranked Jinotega (2-3) beat at home 9th ranked Chinandega (1-5) by 13 points 82-69, which is the biggest margin this round. It was a good game for Dayton Cacho who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jinotega moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Leones. Chinandega lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with five games lost. Jinotega's next round opponent will be higher ranked Bufalos (#4) and it may be quite challenging game.

Indigenas - Chinandega 98-81

Bottom-ranked Indigenas managed to get a second victory on Tuesday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Chinandega in Matagalpa 98-81. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 17-point difference proves that Indigenas was well-prepared to that game. They also forced 23 Chinandega turnovers and outrebounded them 41-26 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Indigenas looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican forward Felix Rivera-Vega (201-97, college: Georgetown, KY) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 16 rebounds. Dominican center Miguel Evangelista (210-91) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Marc Charles (-97) added 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Indigenas (2-4) moved-up to seventh place. Chinandega lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with five games lost. Indigenas will meet higher ranked Leones (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Chinandega will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Indigenas: F.Rivera-Vega 29+16reb+2ast, M.Evangelista 20+13reb+3ast, L.Valdez 19+5reb+5ast, C.Gonzalez 10+2reb+1ast, J.Martinez 9+1reb+5ast, R.Ponce 4+2reb+3ast
Chinandega: M.Faison 22+11reb+4ast, C.Marc 17+12reb+4ast, L.Vazquez 16+1reb+9ast, R.Dwight 14+1ast, J.West 4+1ast, M.Herman 3

Jinotega - Chinandega 82-69

Seventh ranked Jinotega (2-3) beat at home 9th ranked Chinandega (1-5) by 13 points 82-69, which is the biggest margin this round. Jinotega forced 22 Chinandega turnovers. It was a good game for the former international Dayton Cacho (186-91) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-91) contributed with 22 points for the winners. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) replied with 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists and American Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) added 16 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Chinandega. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jinotega moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Leones. Chinandega lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with five games lost. Jinotega's next round opponent will be higher ranked Bufalos (#4) and it may be quite challenging game.
Top scorers:
Jinotega: M.Cairo 22+4reb+2ast, D.Cacho 21+5reb+3ast, E.Ortiz 17+4reb+6ast, M.Rafael 5+1reb+2ast, M.Arnulfo 5+1reb+1ast, H.Juan 4+9reb
Chinandega: L.Vazquez 33+3reb+4ast, M.Faison 16+8reb+2ast, C.Marc 12+11reb+2ast, R.Dwight 4+6reb+2ast, R.Eugenio 2+2reb, Z.Ricardo 2+1ast

Costa Caribe - Leones 66-58

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Managua: Costa Caribe (#2) and Leones (#5). Costa Caribe (5-2) won against visiting Leones (2-3) 66-58. Costa Caribe dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 16. Joel Cubillas notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-87) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds by Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) did not help to save the game for Leones. The former international guard Daniel Tenorio (177-90) added 16 points and 6 rebounds. Leones' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Costa Caribe maintains second position with 5-2 record having just one point less than leader Real Esteli. Leones at the other side keep the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Jinotega. Costa Caribe will play against Leon (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Leones will play against Rivas and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Costa Caribe: C.Joel 17+16reb, O.Oliva 13+7reb+6ast, M.Malone 9+2reb+2ast, D.Campbell 8+2reb+2ast, G.Kevin 8+5reb+3ast, Q.Davis 7+5reb+1ast
Leones: D.Tenorio 16+6reb+2ast, X.Zambrana 14+12reb, C.Gaston 7+3reb, M.Garcia 6+2reb+3ast, J.Matos 6+8reb+4ast, P.Martinez 5+5reb+3ast

Real Esteli - Leon 87-88

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Real Esteli (5-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were edged by third ranked Leon (4-1) 88-87. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Real Esteli. Leon looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Puerto Rican forward Luis Cuascut (196-98, college: PR-Bayamon) had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Puerto Rican guard Jared Ruiz (188-92) with 31 points and 4 assists and Puerto Rican swingman Alejandro Carmona (194-83) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds. Five Leon and four Real Esteli players scored in double figures. Real Esteli's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Leon maintains third position with 4-1 record behind leader Real Esteli. Real Esteli at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. Leon are looking forward to face league's second-placed Costa Caribe in Managua in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Real Esteli will play against Rivas and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Leon: H.Barberena 24+2reb+3ast, C.Blake 16+7reb+7ast, C.Kerry 15+5reb+6ast, L.Cuascut 15+15reb+2ast, A.Moe 12+3reb+2ast, O.Eddy 3+1reb+1ast
Real Esteli: J.Ruiz 31+4reb+4ast, A.Carmona 25+10reb+2ast, B.Lopez 14+16reb+1ast, V.Thomas 10+3reb+1ast, J.Guitian 7+4reb+4ast, C.Jilmer 0



Tags : CHRIS BLAKE, LEON, NICARAGUAN BASKETBALL