LPB Round 3: Undefeated Halcones lose their first game against Atletico

After 3 rounds played we can already see who rules in the LPB and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Halcones (1-1) in Panama City on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by Atletico (2-0) 78-70. They made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Halcones helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for Jonathan King (193-90, college: ACU) who led his team to a victory scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. American guard Robert Martinez (, college: Oxnard JC) helped adding 21 points. The best for the losing side was naturalized Chilean guard Eugenio Luzcando (187-95, college: Idaho St.) with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Halcones' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Atletico is looking forward to face Toros (#7) in David in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Halcones will play on the road against Caballos (#6) in Aguadulce and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones (#6) and Panteras (#3). Dragones (1-1) won against visiting Panteras (1-2) 79-67. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Zacarry Douglas (203-95, college: NCCU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Josimar Blenman accounted for 16 points and 14 rebounds. Swingman Alejandro Grant (199-93) came up with 17 points and 8 rebounds for Panteras in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones will play against Toros (#7) in David in the next round. Panteras will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 3 bottom-ranked Caballos won against Toros on the opponent's court 82-68.

Universitarios - Atletico Nacional 70-78

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Halcones (1-1) in Panama City on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by Atletico (2-0) 78-70. They made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Halcones helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for Jonathan King (193-90, college: ACU) who led his team to a victory scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. American guard Robert Martinez (, college: Oxnard JC) helped adding 21 points. The best for the losing side was naturalized Chilean guard Eugenio Luzcando (187-95, college: Idaho St.) with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international Israel Munoz (196-91) scored 2 points and 18 rebounds. Four Halcones players scored in double figures. Halcones' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Atletico is looking forward to face Toros (#7) in David in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Halcones will play on the road against Caballos (#6) in Aguadulce and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: J.King 32+7reb+6ast, R.Martinez 21+3reb+3ast, A.Alberto 7+3reb+2ast, F.Bryan 6+4reb+1ast, K.da Costa 6+3reb, D.King 4+14reb+5ast
Universitarios: E.Luzcando 27+12reb+4ast, M.Arturo 15+2reb, V.Andres 10+2reb, Y.Cabeza 10+8reb, G.Grimes 4+3reb+2ast, I.Munoz 2+18reb

Toros - Caballos 68-82

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in David where Toros (0-2) were defeated by Caballos (1-2) 82-68. They made 20-of-26 charity shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Caballos outrebounded Toros 62-47 including 20 on the offensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Josimar Ayarza (205-87, college: Southern Miss) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (195-86) accounted for 17 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. Guard Manuel Barnes (187-98) came up with 21 points and Oscar Zephyrine (190-0) added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Toros in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Caballos will play against Halcones (#4) in Panama City in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toros will play at home against Dragones and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Caballos: J.Ayarza 36+10reb+2ast, A.Rojas 17+12reb+3ast, O.Ortega 8+10reb, D.Alberto 7+2reb+4ast, W.Anthony 5+5reb, K.Ellis 4+2reb
Toros: M.Barnes 21+4reb+3ast, O.Zephyrine 9+6reb+5ast, G.Christopher 8+5reb+2ast, B.Edward 6+8reb+6ast, B.Rigoberto 6+6reb, d.Gracia Gilberto 6+7reb+1ast

Dragones - Panteras 79-67

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones (#6) and Panteras (#3). Dragones (1-1) won against visiting Panteras (1-2) 79-67. They outrebounded Panteras 50-32 including 16 on the offensive glass. Panteras were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Zacarry Douglas (203-95, college: NCCU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Josimar Blenman (200-89, college: Globe Tech) accounted for 16 points and 14 rebounds for the winning side. Swingman Alejandro Grant (199-93) came up with 17 points and 8 rebounds and Luis Dinolis (185-93, college: Broward CC) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Panteras in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones will play against Toros (#7) in David in the next round. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dragones: P.Rivas 21+5reb+1ast, Z.Douglas 19+12reb+2ast, J.Blenman 16+14reb, J.Munoz 8+8reb+4ast, G.Ford 6+4reb+6ast, C.McLemore 3
Panteras: R.Santana 19+4reb, A.Grant 17+8reb, L.Dinolis 16+6reb+2ast, A.Austin 8+2reb+1ast, M.Isaac 3+4reb+2ast, E.Archibold 2+2reb



Tags : JONATHAN KING, ATLETICO NACIONAL, PANAMANIAN BASKETBALL