LSB Round 20 (Regular Season): Real Esteli beat Jaguares by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 20 in the LSB took place in Esteli. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Jaguares (16-5) to fifth ranked Real Esteli (14-9) 80-77 on Thursday evening. Real Esteli looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international Jared Ruiz (188-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) orchestrated the victory by scoring 37 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Puerto Rican Ismael Cruz (190-2000, college: Indian Hills) contributed with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-1998, college: AIC) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds for Jaguares. Jaguares' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players in this game, but that didn't help. Real Esteli have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 14-9 record. Jaguares at the other side keep the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Costa Caribe and Brumas.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Managua: Costa Caribe (#4) and Leones (#7). Leones were smashed at home by 29 points 81-110 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican guard Luis Lopez (182-1998, college: PR-Mayaguez) who helped to win the game recording 37 points (!!!) and 9 assists and Jorge Matos who added 23 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Puerto Rican forward Johwen Villegas (194-1985, college: FIU) responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Costa Caribe (16-5) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion (16-5) moved-up to second place, which they share with Jaguares and Brumas. Leones at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 15 games lost.
LSB top team - UNAN de (18-5) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Tigres (6-15) in Corinto 107-72. The winners were led by Xavier dela Rosa who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. Even 17 points and 6 rebounds by Jose Ortiz did not help to save the game for Tigres. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. UNAN de maintains first position with 18-5 record. Tigres lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 15 games lost.

In the last two games of round 20 Tigres were smashed by Brumas on the road 111-62. Leones destroyed Indigenas on its own court 103-69.



Leones - Costa Caribe 81-110

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Managua: Costa Caribe (#4) and Leones (#7). Leones were smashed at home by 29 points 81-110 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Costa Caribe dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 36. They outrebounded Leones 52-38 including 16 on the offensive glass. Costa Caribe players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican guard Luis Lopez (182-1998, college: PR-Mayaguez) who helped to win the game recording 37 points (!!!) and 9 assists and Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-1992) who added 23 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Puerto Rican forward Johwen Villegas (194-1985, college: FIU) responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Puerto Rican guard Eliel Gonzalez (188-1995, college: NC A&T) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. 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. Costa Caribe (16-5) have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion (16-5) moved-up to second place, which they share with Jaguares and Brumas. Leones at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Leones: J.Villegas 19+5reb+5ast, E.Gonzalez 17+5reb+3ast, Y.Cruz 16+5reb, B.Lavernia 10+3reb+3ast, K.Gutierrez 9+5reb+2ast, A.Espinoza 8+7reb+1ast
Costa Caribe: L.Lopez 37+2reb+9ast, J.Matos 23+5reb+3ast, J.Gonzalez 11+8reb+9ast, B.Wilson 10+8reb+2ast, N.Padilla 8+3reb+1ast, W.Sloan 6+6reb+1ast

Brumas - Tigres 111-62

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Brumas (16-5) crushed 7th ranked Tigres (6-15) in Jinotega 111-62 on Tuesday. Brumas dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Tigres' 30. Brumas looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Tigres' players. The winners were led by American-Puerto Rican Antonio Gordon (206-2001, college: Oklah.Christian) who had that evening a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and American Glenn Sanabria (180-1996, college: SFC) supported him with 17 points and 5 assists. Five Brumas players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 9 rebounds by Marcus Desmond did not help to save the game for Tigres. American power forward Lorenzo Martinez (206-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) added 12 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brumas moved-up to second place, which they share with Jaguares and Costa Caribe. Tigres lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Tigres: L.Vasquez 18+3reb+1ast, M.Desmond 17+9reb+2ast, L.Martinez 12+9reb+1ast, L.Ibarra 5+1ast, M.Lopez 3+2reb, C.Valdivia 2+3reb+1ast
Brumas: A.Gordon 23+11reb+10ast, G.Sanabria 17+3reb+5ast, D.Cacho 15+5reb+2ast, D.Cacho 12+10reb+2ast, R.Mendoza 12+4reb+2ast, M.Cairo 9+3reb+4ast

Real Esteli - Jaguares 80-77

The most exciting game of round 20 in the LSB took place in Esteli. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Jaguares (16-5) to fifth ranked Real Esteli (14-9) 80-77 on Thursday evening. Real Esteli looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international Jared Ruiz (188-1992, agency: BMS Sport Agency) orchestrated the victory by scoring 37 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Puerto Rican Ismael Cruz (190-2000, college: Indian Hills) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-1998, college: AIC) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds and American power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 14 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) in the effort for Jaguares. Jaguares' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players in this game, but that didn't help. Real Esteli have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 14-9 record. Jaguares at the other side keep the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Costa Caribe and Brumas.
Top scorers:
Jaguares: R.Mercedes 17+2reb+3ast, J.Allen 14+5reb+3ast, Z.Owens 10+10reb+2ast, P.Martinez 9+3reb+1ast, M.Garcia 9+5reb+2ast, L.Castillo 6+2reb
Real Esteli: J.Ruiz 37+5reb+6ast, I.Cruz 16+10reb+4ast, J.Campbell 9+3reb+3ast, F.Garth 9+3reb+2ast, A.Perez 5+1reb, J.Cintron 2+9reb+2ast

Leones - Indigenas 103-69

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Indigenas' (3-19) road loss to seventh ranked Leones (7-15) in Managua 69-103 on Thursday. Leones outrebounded Indigenas 51-39 including 36 on the offensive glass. Leones looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by guard Yassir Cruz (-1999) who scored that evening 20 points and Puerto Rican forward Johwen Villegas (194-1985, college: FIU) supported him with 12 points and 6 assists. Five Leones players scored in double figures. Even 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds by American guard Dean Tylan (185-1999, college: Rogers St.) did not help to save the game for Indigenas. His fellow American import guard Chris Moten-Jackson (190-1989, college: LA Pierce JC) added 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Leones moved-up to sixth place. Indigenas lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 19 games lost.
Top scorers:
Indigenas: D.Tylan 34+6reb+2ast, C.Moten-Jackson 20+6reb+7ast, E.Mairena 5+3reb, F.Hertas 4+5reb+2ast, K.Rivera 2+4reb+1ast, D.Toruno 2+5reb
Leones: Y.Cruz 20+3reb+2ast, E.Gonzalez 14+5reb+2ast, A.Espinoza 12+10reb, J.Villegas 12+4reb+6ast, K.Gutierrez 12+6reb+3ast, C.Lara 11+5reb+2ast

Tigres - UNAN de L. 72-107

LSB top team - UNAN de (18-5) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Tigres (6-15) in Corinto 107-72. UNAN de dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Tigres' 46. They outrebounded Tigres 54-37 including a 20-9 advantage in defensive rebounds. UNAN de looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when UNAN de made 8 blocks. The winners were led by Dominican Xavier dela Rosa (196-1991) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists and center Argels Salazar (208-2002) supported him with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Even 17 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Jose Ortiz (190-1990, college: DelVal) did not help to save the game for Tigres. Lei Vasquez added 13 points and 5 steals for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. UNAN de maintains first position with 18-5 record. Tigres lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Tigres: J.Ortiz 17+6reb+3ast, L.Vasquez 13+3reb+2ast, H.Rodriguez 11+1reb+3ast, L.Ibarra 11+5reb+1ast, L.Martinez 8+9reb, M.Lopez 6+3reb
UNAN de L.: X.dela Rosa 24+6reb+11ast, V.Thomas 16+2reb, W.Diaz 13+3reb+1ast, A.Salazar 12+10reb+1ast, S.Hodgson 12+6reb+3ast, J.Familia 10+6reb+2ast