LSB Round 8: Real Esteli beat Leones by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 8 in the LSB took place in Managua. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Leones (6-4) to second ranked Real Esteli (7-2) 69-67 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Leones. Puerto Rican guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-91, agency: Interperformances) orchestrated the victory by scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds. Center Barthel Lopez (213-89) contributed with 4 points and 24 rebounds for the winners. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for Leones. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Esteli maintains second position with 7-2 record behind leader Leon. Leones at the other side keep the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Jinotega. Real Esteli will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Leones will play against the league's leader Leon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Managua. Third ranked Leones (6-4) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Bufalos (3-6) 69-68 on Tuesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-92) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 9 rebounds and Xavier Zambrana who added 11 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Cuban forward Yuniskel Molina (183-93) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds. Leones have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 6-4 record having just one point less than leader Leon, which they share with Jinotega. Bufalos lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Indigenas. Leones will play against league's leader Leon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bufalos will play against Indigenas (#7) in Matagalpa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
LSB top team - Leon (8-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Chinandega (1-8) 102-64. The winners were led by Anthony Moe who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 30 points and 9 rebounds by Marcus Faison did not help to save the game for Chinandega. Leon have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-1 record. Chinandega lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Leon will meet at home Leones (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Chinandega will have a break next round.
The game in Matagalpa was also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Jinotega (6-4) played at the court of seventh ranked Indigenas (3-6). Indigenas managed to secure a 6-point victory 90-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jinotega. The best player for the winners was Felix Rivera-Vega who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 18 rebounds. Jinotega's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Indigenas moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bufalos. Jinotega at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost. Indigenas' next round opponent will be Bufalos (#6).

In the last two games of round 8 Jinotega smashed Chinandega on the road 95-73. Real Esteli destroyed Rivas on its own court 101-65.

Leon - Chinandega 102-64

LSB top team - Leon (8-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Chinandega (1-8) 102-64. Leon dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Chinandega's 22. Leon forced 25 Chinandega turnovers and outrebounded them 53-28 including a 35-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Chinandega's players. The winners were led by Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) supported him with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists and 8 steals. Four Leon players scored in double figures. Even 30 points and 9 rebounds by American Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) did not help to save the game for Chinandega. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Leon have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-1 record. Chinandega lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with eight games lost. Leon will meet at home Leones (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Chinandega will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Leon: A.Moe 27+16reb+5ast, C.Blake 22+9reb+11ast, M.Almonte 12+7reb+2ast, H.Barberena 10+1reb+1ast, R.Hilario 7+1reb, I.Roger 5+1reb+2ast
Chinandega: M.Faison 30+9reb+1ast, L.Vazquez 19+5reb+4ast, R.Dwight 6+1reb+3ast, E.Kelvin 3+2reb, L.Mauricio 2+5reb, Z.Ricardo 2+3reb+1ast

Leones - Bufalos 69-68

Important game to mention about took place in Managua. Third ranked Leones (6-4) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Bufalos (3-6) 69-68 on Tuesday evening. Bufalos were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-92) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 9 rebounds and Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) who added 11 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Cuban forward Yuniskel Molina (183-93) responded with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and point guard Daniel Cardoza scored 19 points. Leones have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 6-4 record having just one point less than leader Leon, which they share with Jinotega. Bufalos lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Indigenas. Leones will play against league's leader Leon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bufalos will play against Indigenas (#7) in Matagalpa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Leones: J.Matos 18+9reb+2ast, X.Zambrana 11+10reb+2ast, R.Munoz 6+5reb, D.Tenorio 6+6reb+2ast, P.Martinez 6+3reb+2ast, M.Garcia 5+2reb+2ast
Bufalos: Y.Molina 33+12reb+3ast, C.Daniel 19+4reb+1ast, A.Martinez 8+2reb, P.Wrencher 5+14reb+3ast, G.Umana 2+1reb, D.Gomez 1+4reb+1ast

Leones - Real Esteli 67-69

The most exciting game of round 8 in the LSB took place in Managua. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Leones (6-4) to second ranked Real Esteli (7-2) 69-67 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Leones. Puerto Rican guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-91, agency: Interperformances) orchestrated the victory by scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds. Center Barthel Lopez (213-89) contributed with 4 points and 24 rebounds for the winners. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and American-Puerto Rican Christopher Gaston (201-89, college: Fordham) added 19 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Leones. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Esteli maintains second position with 7-2 record behind leader Leon. Leones at the other side keep the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Jinotega. Real Esteli will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Leones will play against the league's leader Leon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.De Jesus 26+5reb+1ast, J.Guitian 12+4reb+1ast, G.Francisco 9+3reb+1ast, J.Ruiz 8+2reb+5ast, P.Farrell 4+1reb, B.Lopez 4+24reb+2ast
Leones: C.Gaston 19+6reb+2ast, X.Zambrana 18+12reb+1ast, M.Garcia 10+6reb+1ast, D.Tenorio 9+5reb+2ast, P.Martinez 5+3reb, J.Matos 4+5reb+5ast

Indigenas - Jinotega 90-84

The game in Matagalpa was also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Jinotega (6-4) played at the court of seventh ranked Indigenas (3-6). Indigenas managed to secure a 6-point victory 90-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Jinotega. Indigenas had a 37-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 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 25 points and 18 rebounds. Cuban Lisvan Valdez (196-88) chipped in 30 points. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-91) produced 28 points and 7 rebounds and Puerto Rican guard Evander Ortiz (178-97, college: PR-Bayamon) added 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Jinotega's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Indigenas moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bufalos. Jinotega at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost. Indigenas' next round opponent will be Bufalos (#6).
Top scorers:
Indigenas: L.Valdez 30+3reb+3ast, F.Rivera-Vega 25+18reb+2ast, J.Akindele 16+15reb+3ast, J.Martinez 7+1reb+2ast, C.Gonzalez 5+6reb+4ast, R.Ponce 3+1reb+7ast
Jinotega: M.Cairo 28+7reb+2ast, E.Ortiz 24+5reb+4ast, D.Cacho 12+5reb+3ast, F.Omier 6+4reb, M.Arnulfo 6+1reb, P.Larel 3+7reb+1ast

Chinandega - Jinotega 73-95

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Jinotega (6-4) crushed on the road bottom-ranked Chinandega (1-8) 95-73. Jinotega dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Chinandega's 42. Jinotega forced 21 Chinandega turnovers. The best player for the winners was Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) who scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international Dayton Cacho (186-91) chipped in 20 points. Five Jinotega players scored in double figures. American Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds and Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) added 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the hosts. Jinotega have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Leones. Chinandega lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Jinotega: D.Cacho 20+4reb+2ast, O.Torres 15+7reb+4ast, M.Cairo 14+4reb+2ast, M.Arnulfo 12+2reb+2ast, E.Ortiz 12+6reb+4ast, F.Omier 11+6reb+2ast
Chinandega: M.Faison 27+17reb+2ast, L.Vazquez 18+10reb+6ast, R.Dwight 13+3reb+1ast, L.Mauricio 6, R.Eugenio 5+2reb, P.Emmanuel 2+1ast

Real Esteli - Rivas 101-65

Very expected game when 8th ranked Rivas (2-7) were smashed on the road by second ranked Real Esteli (7-2) 101-65. Real Esteli dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Rivas' 32. Real Esteli forced 21 Rivas turnovers and outrebounded them 47-34 including 33 on the offensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican guard Jared Ruiz (188-92) who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Puerto Rican guard Jezreel De Jesus (185-91, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. South African forward Pieter Prinsloo (208-92, college: Marist, agency: Promo Sport ID) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!) and American center Kenneth Simms (206-86, college: Cumberland, agency: Interperformances) added 12 points and 13 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. Real Esteli maintains second position with 7-2 record behind leader Leon. Rivas at the other side keep the eighth place with seven games lost. Real Esteli will have a break next round. Rivas will play against Costa Caribe (#5) in Managua and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.Ruiz 27+7reb+4ast, J.De Jesus 21+5reb+8ast, G.Francisco 19+9reb+1ast, J.Guitian 17+7reb+2ast, V.Thomas 6+3reb+4ast, P.Andy 5+6reb
Rivas: G.Briam 20+2reb+5ast, P.Prinsloo 18+10reb+2ast, K.Simms 12+13reb+2ast, F.Cox 11+6reb+1ast, T.Luis 2+1reb+1ast, M.Juan 2



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