LPB Round 22: Caballos edge Halcones by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 22 in the LPB took place in Panama City. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd ranked Halcones (12-5) to sixth ranked Caballos (4-14) 98-97 on Sunday evening. Caballos forced 22 Halcones turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Jose Montenegro (191-98) fired 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Amilcar Sanchez (192) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. The former international Anell Alexis (200-90, college: Marist) produced 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for lost side. Halcones' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 4-14 record. Halcones at the other side keep the third place with five games lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones (#3) and Atletico (#4). Atletico was smashed at home by 24 points 71-95 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Pablo Rivas (198-94, college: NCCU) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 4 assists. Zacarry Douglas contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American-Salvadorean point guard Robert Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) replied with 19 points for Atletico. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Dragones (13-5) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Atletico at the other side keeps the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with Panteras.
Leader Correcaminos delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat bottom-ranked Toros (0-18) 72-58 in David. Ezequiel Bell had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Daniel Machore responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Correcaminos (15-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Loser Toros still closes the standings.

Toros - Correcaminos 58-72

Leader Correcaminos delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat bottom-ranked Toros (0-18) 72-58 in David. They outrebounded Toros 52-29 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Correcaminos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Center Ezequiel Bell (202-99) had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Manuel Barnes (187-98) chipped in 17 points and 6 assists during the contest. Four Correcaminos players scored in double figures. At the losing side point guard Daniel Machore (170-6) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals and forward Gilberto de Gracia (194-0) scored 9 points and 4 assists. Correcaminos (15-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Loser Toros still closes the standings.
Top scorers:
Toros: M.Daniel 13+10reb+6ast, O.Zephyrine 12+3reb+1ast, R.Newball 9+4reb, d.Gracia Gilberto 9+4reb+4ast, O.Jose Luis 8+1reb+7ast, E.Archibold 2+2reb
Correcaminos: B.Ezequiel 19+14reb, M.Barnes 17+3reb+6ast, O.Carlos 14+5reb+1ast, D.Giron 10+7reb+4ast, J.Garibaldi 7+8reb+1ast, V.Ebrahim 5+4reb+5ast

Atletico Nacional - Dragones 71-95

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones (#3) and Atletico (#4). Atletico was smashed at home by 24 points 71-95 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Dragones outrebounded Atletico 49-29 including a 20-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Atletico's players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Pablo Rivas (198-94, college: NCCU) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 4 assists. American forward Zacarry Douglas (203-95, college: NCCU) contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Rivas is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American-Salvadorean point guard Robert Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) replied with 19 points and Serbian power forward Milos Petkovic (204-91) added 11 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Atletico. 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. Dragones (13-5) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Atletico at the other side keeps the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with Panteras.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: R.Martinez 19+1reb+2ast, F.Bryan 12+2reb+1ast, M.Petkovic 11+9reb+1ast, J.King 10+5reb+5ast, A.Armando 8+1reb, N.Eduardo 4
Dragones: P.Rivas 23+1reb+4ast, C.Hunter 15+4reb+2ast, Z.Douglas 13+8reb+3ast, C.Lucas 12+8reb+3ast, G.Ford 9+1reb+5ast, J.Blenman 8+11reb+1ast

Universitarios - Caballos 97-98

The most exciting game of round 22 in the LPB took place in Panama City. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd ranked Halcones (12-5) to sixth ranked Caballos (4-14) 98-97 on Sunday evening. Caballos forced 22 Halcones turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Jose Montenegro (191-98) fired 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Amilcar Sanchez (192) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. The former international Anell Alexis (200-90, college: Marist) produced 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and American forward Troy Jones (201-92, college: TAMUK) added 17 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Halcones' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains sixth position with 4-14 record. Halcones at the other side keep the third place with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Universitarios: A.Alexis 34+6reb, T.Jones 17+11reb+2ast, C.Jahir 16+8reb+1ast, E.Luzcando 15+8reb+5ast, L.Santiago 12+6reb+1ast, M.Arturo 2+2reb
Caballos: S.Amilcar 22+6reb+3ast, J.Montenegro 21+7reb+6ast, O.Ortega 17+7reb+1ast, A.Rojas 13+6reb+4ast, B.Waithe 11+4reb+5ast, D.Alberto 8+1reb+1ast



Tags : JOSE MONTENEGRO, CABALLOS DE COCLE AGUADULCE, PANAMANIAN BASKETBALL