LPB Round 12: Atletico defeat Caballos in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Sixth-ranked Caballos (2-9) gave a tough game to third ranked Atletico (7-3) in Panama City on Saturday. Atletico managed to secure only three-point victory 90-87. However their fans expected easier game. Atletico made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Strangely Caballos outrebounded Atletico 46-25 including a 19-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Salvadorean point guard Robert Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and power forward Daniel King (203-87, college: Texas Southern) who added 20 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Venezuelan center CJ Rodriguez (188-PG-94, college: S.Nazarene) with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Caballos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Atletico maintains third position with 7-3 record behind leader Universitarios. Defending champion Caballos keep the sixth place with nine games lost. Atletico are looking forward to face league's second-placed Correcaminos in Colon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caballos will play on the road against Dragones (#4) in Panama City and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Halcones (#2) and Panteras (#5). Panteras were smashed at home by 21 points 71-92 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Panteras. The winners were led by American guard Logan Santiago (185, college: AIC) who scored that evening 26 points and 5 rebounds and Troy Jones supported him with 23 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds by Dominican forward Cristian Joan Duran (201-96, college: Tenn Tech) did not help to save the game for Panteras. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Halcones (8-2) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Correcaminos. Panteras at the other side keep the fifth place with four games lost. Halcones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Dragones.
Bottom-ranked Toros (0-11) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 11th consecutive match to fifth ranked Dragones (6-4) 69-53 on Friday evening. The best player for the winners was Zacarry Douglas who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was John Hernandez who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones moved-up to fourth place. Loser Toros still closes the standings with 11 games lost. Dragones will meet at home Caballos (#6) in the next round. Toros will play against Panteras and hope to get finally their first victory.

Dragones - Toros 69-53

Bottom-ranked Toros (0-11) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 11th consecutive match to fifth ranked Dragones (6-4) 69-53 on Friday evening. Dragones forced 22 Toros turnovers. Strangely Toros outrebounded Dragones 44-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American forward Zacarry Douglas (203-95, college: NCCU) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gil Atencio (202-96, college: St.Clair) chipped in 13 points and 5 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was Colombian center John Hernandez (207-84) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds and Oscar Zephyrine (190-0) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones moved-up to fourth place. Loser Toros still closes the standings with 11 games lost. Dragones will meet at home Caballos (#6) in the next round. Toros will play against Panteras and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Dragones: C.Lucas 13+3reb+1ast, G.Atencio 13+4reb+1ast, Z.Douglas 10+10reb+2ast, C.Hunter 8+1reb, P.Rivas 7+3reb+1ast, J.Blenman 7+5reb
Toros: J.Hernandez 17+19reb+3ast, O.Zephyrine 11+5reb, d.Gracia Gilberto 7+3reb, O.Jose Luis 5+4reb+3ast, M.Barnes 4+4reb+1ast, R.Newball 4+2reb+1ast

Panteras - Universitarios 71-92

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Halcones (#2) and Panteras (#5). Panteras were smashed at home by 21 points 71-92 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Panteras. They outrebounded Panteras 45-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. Halcones players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American guard Logan Santiago (185, college: AIC) who scored that evening 26 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Troy Jones (201-92, college: TAMUK) supported him with 23 points and 5 rebounds. Four Halcones players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds by Dominican forward Cristian Joan Duran (201-96, college: Tenn Tech) did not help to save the game for Panteras. Dominican point guard Raimer Santana (183-97) added 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Halcones (8-2) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Correcaminos. Panteras at the other side keep the fifth place with four games lost. Halcones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Dragones.
Top scorers:
Universitarios: L.Santiago 26+5reb+1ast, T.Jones 23+5reb+1ast, A.Alexis 18+8reb+1ast, I.Munoz 12+7reb+2ast, C.Jahir 4+4reb+1ast, E.Luzcando 4+7reb+11ast
Panteras: C.Joan Duran 20+12reb, R.Santana 19+1reb+2ast, A.Austin 10+5reb+1ast, F.Barrera 9+7reb+1ast, L.Dinolis 4+3reb+4ast, M.Gotti 4+1reb

Atletico Nacional - Caballos 90-87

Sixth-ranked Caballos (2-9) gave a tough game to third ranked Atletico (7-3) in Panama City on Saturday. Atletico managed to secure only three-point victory 90-87. However their fans expected easier game. Atletico made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Strangely Caballos outrebounded Atletico 46-25 including a 19-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Salvadorean point guard Robert Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and power forward Daniel King (203-87, college: Texas Southern) who added 20 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Martinez is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Atletico players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Venezuelan center Carlos Rodriguez (206-89) with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (200-86) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. Caballos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Atletico maintains third position with 7-3 record behind leader Universitarios. Defending champion Caballos keep the sixth place with nine games lost. Atletico are looking forward to face league's second-placed Correcaminos in Colon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caballos will play on the road against Dragones (#4) in Panama City and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: R.Martinez 24+3reb+9ast, D.King 20+8reb+2ast, F.Bryan 17+6reb+3ast, J.King 15+5reb+1ast, A.Alberto 14+1reb, R.Frank 0
Caballos: C.Rodriguez 28+6reb+6ast, A.Rojas 20+12reb+1ast, J.Montenegro 15+7reb+3ast, F.Moore 9+6reb+1ast, D.Johns 6+9reb+1ast, B.Waithe 4+4reb+3ast



Tags : ROBERT MARTINEZ, ATLETICO NACIONAL, PANAMANIAN BASKETBALL