LSB Round 21: Leones defeat Leon in the closest game of the week

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 21 in the LSB took place in Managua. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of second-best Leon (11-7) to fifth ranked Leones (9-8) 66-65 on Monday evening. They outrebounded Leon 56-42 including 36 on the offensive glass. 27 personal fouls committed by Leon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American-Puerto Rican Christopher Gaston (201-89, college: Fordham) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 19 rebounds for the winners and Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Leones maintains fifth place with 9-8 record. Leon at the other side keeps the second position with seven games lost. Leones' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Managua Costa Caribe.
Important game to mention about took place in Jinotega. Third ranked Jinotega (10-8) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 4th placed Costa Caribe (10-8) 80-79 in the game for the third place. Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) nailed 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Dominic Woodson accounted for 9 points and 18 rebounds. Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-87) came up with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals for Costa Caribe in the defeat. Costa Caribe's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Jinotega maintains third place with 10-8 record having three points less than leader Real Esteli, which they share with defeated Costa Caribe. Jinotega will play against league's second-placed Leon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Costa Caribe's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Leones.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Esteli. First ranked host Real Esteli (14-3) smashed 4th placed Costa Caribe (10-8) 92-73. The best player for the winners was Jared Ruiz who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was Troy Watson who recorded 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Esteli maintains first place with 14-3 record. Loser Costa Caribe dropped to the third position with eight games lost. They share it with Jinotega. Real Esteli will meet at home Bufalos (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Costa Caribe's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Leones.
Bottom-ranked Chinandega managed to get the third consecutive victory. This time they won against eighth-ranked Bufalos 65-50. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 15-point difference proves that Chinandega was well-prepared to that game. Chinandega have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 5-14 record. Bufalos lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Chinandega will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 21 Rivas lost to Indigenas on the opponent's court 72-89.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 14 rebounds by Justin Patton of Indigenas.

Leones - Leon 66-65

The most exciting game of round 21 in the LSB took place in Managua. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of second-best Leon (11-7) to fifth ranked Leones (9-8) 66-65 on Monday evening. They outrebounded Leon 56-42 including 36 on the offensive glass. 27 personal fouls committed by Leon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American-Puerto Rican Christopher Gaston (201-89, college: Fordham) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 19 rebounds for the winners and Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-91) chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) scored 17 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Leones maintains fifth place with 9-8 record. Leon at the other side keeps the second position with seven games lost. Leones' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Managua Costa Caribe.
Top scorers:
Leones: C.Gaston 24+19reb+2ast, J.Matos 18+5reb+3ast, X.Zambrana 16+10reb+3ast, D.Tenorio 4+3reb+1ast, R.Munoz 2+9reb, P.Martinez 1+4reb+1ast
Leon: C.Blake 17+4reb+3ast, A.Moe 16+13reb, H.Barberena 10+1reb, M.Almonte 9+10reb+4ast, C.Kerry 6+2reb+3ast, O.Eddy 5+2reb+3ast

Jinotega - Costa Caribe 80-79

Important game to mention about took place in Jinotega. Third ranked Jinotega (10-8) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 4th placed Costa Caribe (10-8) 80-79 in the game for the third place. Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) nailed 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and American center Dominic Woodson (211-95, college: Tennessee) accounted for 9 points and 18 rebounds. Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-87) came up with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals and Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-94) added 22 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Costa Caribe in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Costa Caribe's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Jinotega maintains third place with 10-8 record having three points less than leader Real Esteli, which they share with defeated Costa Caribe. Jinotega will play against league's second-placed Leon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Costa Caribe's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Leones.
Top scorers:
Jinotega: O.Torres 29+6reb+2ast, M.Cairo 14+8reb+3ast, D.Cacho 12+3reb+1ast, M.Rafael 10+3reb+2ast, D.Woodson 9+18reb+1ast, F.Omier 4+3reb+2ast
Costa Caribe: Y.Cubillas 22+9reb+2ast, Y.Molina 20+6reb+3ast, O.Oliva 20+9reb+8ast, G.Smith 11+2reb+1ast, M.Malone 2+6reb, E.Rojas 2+1reb

Chinandega - Bufalos 65-50

Bottom-ranked Chinandega managed to get the third consecutive victory. This time they won against eighth-ranked Bufalos 65-50. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 15-point difference proves that Chinandega was well-prepared to that game. Chinandega have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 5-14 record. Bufalos lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Chinandega will have a break next round.

Real Esteli - Costa Caribe 92-73

The game between Top Four teams took place in Esteli. First ranked host Real Esteli (14-3) smashed 4th placed Costa Caribe (10-8) 92-73. They outrebounded Costa Caribe 45-33 including a 38-25 advantage in offensive rebounds. Real Esteli shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 53.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Real Esteli made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican guard Jared Ruiz (188-92) who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. American-Puerto Rican forward Jose Guitian (207-87, college: Lasell) chipped in 21 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international power forward Troy Watson (197-82) who recorded 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-94) added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Esteli maintains first place with 14-3 record. Loser Costa Caribe dropped to the third position with eight games lost. They share it with Jinotega. Real Esteli will meet at home Bufalos (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Costa Caribe's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Leones.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: J.Ruiz 24+5reb+6ast, J.Guitian 21+2reb, S.Hodgson 10+3reb+6ast, V.Thomas 9+1ast, P.Andy 5+4reb, G.Francisco 5+3reb
Costa Caribe: T.Watson 22+8reb+1ast, Y.Cubillas 12+9reb+4ast, Y.Molina 9+9reb+2ast, M.Wesley 7+1reb+1ast, O.Oliva 6+5ast, O.Sydney 6

Indigenas - Rivas 89-72

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Rivas' (9-11) road loss to sixth ranked Indigenas (11-8) 72-89. It was a good game for American forward Justin Patton (201-89, college: N.Texas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Cuban Lisvan Valdez (196-88) contributed with 22 points and 4 assists for the winners. American Quentin Davis (199, college: Mendocino CC) answered with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and South African forward Pieter Prinsloo (208-92, college: Marist, agency: Promo Sport ID) added 14 points and 14 rebounds in the effort for Rivas. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Indigenas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 11-8 record. Rivas at the other side 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:
Indigenas: L.Valdez 22+3reb+4ast, J.Martinez 21+4reb+3ast, J.Patton 21+14reb+1ast, J.Akindele 12+9reb+2ast, C.Gonzalez 7+2reb+3ast, R.Ponce 6+6reb+5ast
Rivas: Q.Davis 18+9reb+5ast, P.Prinsloo 14+14reb+3ast, B.Glasford 14+3reb+3ast, F.Cox 11+2reb, C.Jason 8+1reb, P.Ruel 4+2reb



Tags : CHRISTOPHER GASTON, LEONES DE MANAGUA, NICARAGUAN BASKETBALL