LPB Round 5: Lobos defeat Halcones in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Halcones (1-8) to fourth ranked Lobos (4-4) 72-70 on Sunday evening. Lobos forced 23 Halcones turnovers. Strangely Halcones outrebounded Lobos 43-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. 28 personal fouls committed by Halcones helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Costa Rican Victor Arias (197-1995) stepped up and scored 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and center Jesus Lombardo (201-2000) chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds. Arturo Molina (182-2003) responded with 23 points. Halcones' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Lobos moved-up to third place. Halcones lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Lobos are looking forward to face league's second-placed Caballos in Aguadulce in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Halcones' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Panama City to the arena Halcones.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Atletico (#1) and Halcones (#4). Halcones were crushed at home by 22 points 63-85 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Point guard Joel Munoz (183-1980) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and Adalberto Rojas accounted for 23 points and 5 rebounds. American point guard Kendarius Smith (178-1996, college: N.Alabama) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for Halcones in the defeat. Halcones' coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Undefeated Atletico (9-0) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 9 victories in a row. Halcones at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. Atletico will play against Centinelas (#5) in the next round. Halcones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Halcones.
Very significant was Atletico's (#1, 9-0) victory against second-ranked Caballos (5-3) 72-65. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caballos. The best player for the winners was Jonathan King who scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Jose Montenegro produced 15 points and 5 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Atletico. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Loser Caballos keep the second position with three games lost. Atletico will meet at home Centinelas (#5) in the next round. Caballos will play against Lobos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Centinelas lost to Halcones on the opponent's court 69-85. Centinelas managed to outperform Lobos in a home game 84-80. Caballos rolled over Universitarios on the road 75-55.

Halcones - Centinelas 85-69

Everything could happen in Panama City at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Halcones and 5th ranked Centinelas had identical 3-5 record. This time Halcones used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from 85-69 on Friday night. Halcones looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendarius Smith (178-1996, college: N.Alabama) who scored 24 points and 6 rebounds. Colombian forward Leyder Moreno (195-2000) chipped in 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Smith is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Lucas Chavez (187-1995) produced 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized American guard Armani Cotton (201-1991, college: Yale) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Halcones maintains fourth place with 4-5 record. Newly promoted Centinelas keep the fifth position with six games lost. Halcones' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Halcones.
Top scorers:
Halcones: K.Smith 24+6reb+3ast, L.Moreno 22+5reb+6ast, G.Alejandro 10+8reb+5ast, M.Gotti 8+3reb, I.Munoz 7+7reb+1ast, J.Andrade 6+3reb+3ast
Centinelas: C.Lucas 26+6reb+4ast, A.Cotton 16+10reb+3ast, T.Gaskins 8+5reb, A.Armando 5, D.Morales 4+3reb+1ast, A.Austin 4+5reb+1ast

Centinelas - Lobos 84-80

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifth ranked Centinelas (3-6) defeated at home 4th placed Lobos (4-4) 84-80 on Saturday. They outrebounded Lobos 47-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Lucas Chavez (187-1995) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward Tyler Gaskins (193-1992, college: St.Peter's) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. Costa Rican point guard Isaac Conejo (182-1994) produced 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Costa Rican swingman Daniel Shedden (191-1996, college: MSUB) added 24 points respectively for the guests. Five Centinelas and four Lobos players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Centinelas maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Lobos lost their third game in a row. Lobos at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the third position with four games lost. Centinelas will meet league's leader Atletico in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lobos will play against the league's second-placed Caballos in Aguadulce and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Centinelas: C.Lucas 24+13reb+4ast, T.Gaskins 17+4reb+4ast, A.Cotton 16+6reb+3ast, A.Austin 15+6reb+2ast, D.Morales 12+9reb, B.Juan 0
Lobos: D.Shedden 24+3reb+2ast, V.Arias 16+7reb+4ast, I.Conejo 15+9reb+6ast, J.Lombardo 11+9reb+3ast, P.Jose 6, B.Edward 5+2reb+2ast

Universitarios - Caballos 55-75

Not a big story in a game in Panama City where 6th ranked Halcones (1-8) were rolled over by second ranked Caballos (5-3) 75-55 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was forward Michael Hicks (196-1976, college: TAMUCC) who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. Power forward Ezequiel Bell (202-1999) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. American swingman Brandon Franklin (191-1993, college: Pacific Union) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds and Arturo Molina (182-2003) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Caballos maintains second place with 5-3 record having five points less than leader Atletico Nacional. Halcones lost their seventh game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Caballos will meet at home Lobos (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Halcones' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Panama City to the arena Halcones.
Top scorers:
Caballos: M.Hicks 20+8reb+3ast, B.Ezequiel 14+11reb+3ast, V.Andres 9+4reb+1ast, M.Barnes 9+6reb+4ast, J.Montenegro 8+2reb, O.Ortega 4+5reb+1ast
Universitarios: M.Arturo 14+3reb, B.Franklin 14+7reb, C.Ibarra 8+5reb+3ast, M.Jeff 8+8reb+1ast, W.Anthony 4+3reb+1ast, B.Jr Rene 3+1reb+1ast

Lobos - Universitarios 72-70

This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Halcones (1-8) to fourth ranked Lobos (4-4) 72-70 on Sunday evening. Lobos forced 23 Halcones turnovers. Strangely Halcones outrebounded Lobos 43-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. 28 personal fouls committed by Halcones helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Costa Rican Victor Arias (197-1995) stepped up and scored 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and center Jesus Lombardo (201-2000) chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds. Arturo Molina (182-2003) responded with 23 points and point guard Carlos Ibarra (170-1995) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Halcones' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Lobos moved-up to third place. Halcones lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Lobos are looking forward to face league's second-placed Caballos in Aguadulce in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Halcones' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Panama City to the arena Halcones.
Top scorers:
Lobos: V.Arias 21+9reb+5ast, D.Shedden 16+3reb, J.Lombardo 13+12reb+3ast, C.Fausto 9+1reb, I.Conejo 7+3reb+6ast, B.Edward 6+1reb+4ast
Universitarios: M.Arturo 23+4reb+1ast, C.Ibarra 19+6reb+1ast, M.Yanis 6+3reb, E.Grenald 5+2reb+1ast, B.Franklin 5+9reb+1ast, M.Jeff 4+4reb+2ast

Halcones - Atletico Nacional 63-85

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Atletico (#1) and Halcones (#4). Halcones were crushed at home by 22 points 63-85 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Atletico players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Point guard Joel Munoz (183-1980) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (200-1986) accounted for 23 points and 5 rebounds. Four Atletico players scored in double figures. American point guard Kendarius Smith (178-1996, college: N.Alabama) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and Grant Alejandro (199-1993) added 16 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) respectively for Halcones in the defeat. Halcones' coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Atletico (9-0) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 9 victories in a row. Halcones at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. Atletico will play against Centinelas (#5) in the next round. Halcones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Panama City Halcones.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: A.Rojas 23+5reb+1ast, J.Munoz 16+5reb+10ast, F.Bryan 14+7reb+3ast, A.Gedeon 12+7reb+1ast, J.Blenman 8+11reb+2ast, J.King 7+6reb+1ast
Halcones: K.Smith 21+12reb+4ast, G.Alejandro 16+3reb+1ast, E.Lopez 9+5reb+3ast, B.Waithe 6+3reb, I.Munoz 5+6reb, M.Gotti 4+3reb+1ast

Atletico Nacional - Caballos 72-65

Very significant was Atletico's (#1, 9-0) victory against second-ranked Caballos (5-3) 72-65. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caballos. Atletico forced 20 Caballos turnovers. The best player for the winners was Jonathan King (193-1990, college: ACU) who scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Point guard Joel Munoz (183-1980) chipped in 8 points, 9 assists and 4 steals. Swingman Jose Montenegro (191-1998) produced 15 points and 5 assists and forward Michael Hicks (196-1976, college: TAMUCC) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Caballos players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Atletico. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Loser Caballos keep the second position with three games lost. Atletico will meet at home Centinelas (#5) in the next round. Caballos will play against Lobos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: J.King 19+6reb+2ast, F.Bryan 14+4reb+1ast, A.Rojas 8+9reb+2ast, J.Blenman 8+3reb+1ast, J.Munoz 8+4reb+9ast, A.Gedeon 7+1reb
Caballos: J.Montenegro 15+2reb+5ast, M.Barnes 12+3reb+2ast, M.Hicks 11+9reb+1ast, G.Atencio 11+7reb+2ast, B.Ezequiel 7+8reb, C.Aldimir 7+9reb+1ast



Tags : VICTOR ARIAS, LOBOS DE BOCAS Y CHIRIQUI, PANAMANIAN BASKETBALL