LPB Round 7: Atletico lose to Correcaminos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Atletico (5-1) in Panama City on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Correcaminos (6-0) 81-70. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Atletico. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Atletico 60-34 including a 28-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Correcaminos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Center Jaime Lloreda (204-80, college: LSU) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International forward Michael Hicks (196-76, college: TAMUCC) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jonathan King (193-90, college: ACU) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Correcaminos have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Atletico at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. Correcaminos are looking forward to face Caballos (#6) in Aguadulce in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Atletico's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Panteras.
Bottom-ranked Toros (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 74-69 loss to third ranked Halcones (4-2) in David. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Troy Jones (201-92, college: TAMUK) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Yahir Cabeza contributed with 13 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Colombian center John Hernandez (207-84) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for Toros. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Halcones. They maintain third place with 4-2 record having just two points less than leader Correcaminos. Toros lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Aguadulce was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Dragones (3-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Caballos (1-5). Dragones managed to secure a 5-point victory 82-77 on Tuesday. It was a great evening for Joel Munoz who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side Josimar Ayarza responded with 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws). Caballos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragones moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Panteras. Caballos lost their third game in a row. Defending champion keep the sixth position with five games lost. Dragones will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Caballos will play against the league's leader Correcaminos (#1) in Colon and hope to win that game.

Atletico Nacional - Correcaminos 70-81

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Atletico (5-1) in Panama City on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Correcaminos (6-0) 81-70. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Atletico. It was a key game for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Atletico 60-34 including a 28-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Correcaminos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Center Jaime Lloreda (204-80, college: LSU) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International forward Michael Hicks (196-76, college: TAMUCC) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jonathan King (193-90, college: ACU) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds and Bryan Flores (181-92) added 18 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Five Correcaminos and four Atletico players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Correcaminos have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Atletico at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. Correcaminos are looking forward to face Caballos (#6) in Aguadulce in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Atletico's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Panteras.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: J.King 19+9reb+3ast, F.Bryan 18+3reb+5ast, R.Martinez 13+2reb+3ast, L.Ibarra 10+6reb+2ast, D.King 4+11reb+5ast, A.Alberto 2+2ast
Correcaminos: M.Hicks 18+6reb+6ast, T.Gaskins 16+5reb+7ast, J.Lloreda 15+19reb+4ast, Y.Stewart 15+14reb, T.Gaskins 11+5reb+5ast, B.Ezequiel 6+11reb

Caballos - Dragones 77-82

The game in Aguadulce was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Dragones (3-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Caballos (1-5). Dragones managed to secure a 5-point victory 82-77 on Tuesday. It was a great evening for point guard Joel Munoz (183-80) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Forward Pablo Rivas (198-94, college: NCCU) helped adding 23 points. Rivas is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side the former international Josimar Ayarza (205-87, college: Southern Miss) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (200-86) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Caballos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragones moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Panteras. Caballos lost their third game in a row. Defending champion keep the sixth position with five games lost. Dragones will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Caballos will play against the league's leader Correcaminos (#1) in Colon and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Caballos: J.Ayarza 33+5reb+2ast, A.Rojas 13+11reb+5ast, J.Montenegro 12+5reb+6ast, B.Waithe 8+4ast, O.Ortega 7+9reb, K.Gonzalez 2+1reb
Dragones: P.Rivas 23+3reb+1ast, J.Munoz 23+8reb+7ast, G.Atencio 12+3reb, Z.Douglas 9+10reb+1ast, J.Blenman 6+11reb+1ast, C.Lucas 5+1reb

Toros - Universitarios 69-74

Bottom-ranked Toros (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 74-69 loss to third ranked Halcones (4-2) in David. Halcones outrebounded Toros 53-35 including 19 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Troy Jones (201-92, college: TAMUK) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Yahir Cabeza (196-95, college: SSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Colombian center John Hernandez (207-84) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and Venezuelan point guard Jose Luis Osio (165) added 16 points and 4 assists in the effort for Toros. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Halcones. They maintain third place with 4-2 record having just two points less than leader Correcaminos. Toros lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Toros: O.Jose Luis 16+3reb+4ast, M.Barnes 16+3reb+1ast, J.Hernandez 12+14reb+5ast, O.Zephyrine 9+2reb+3ast, M.Daniel 7+3reb+3ast, d.Gracia Gilberto 6+8reb+1ast
Universitarios: T.Jones 20+13reb+2ast, L.Santiago 14+4reb+5ast, Y.Cabeza 13+14reb+3ast, M.Jeff 9+7reb, G.Gilmar 6+10reb, M.Arturo 4+1reb+1ast



Tags : JAIME LLOREDA, CORRECAMINOS DE COLON, PANAMANIAN BASKETBALL