LPB Round 1 (Regular Season): Dragones defeat Correcaminos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Correcaminos in Panama City on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Dragones 85-79. Strangely Correcaminos outrebounded Dragones 42-25 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Joshua Lemon (180) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Gianni Ford (188-1997, college: Blinn JC) contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Gil Atencio (202-1996, college: St.Clair) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for Correcaminos. Correcaminos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragones is looking forward to face Toros in David in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Correcaminos will play against Union Scorpions and are hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones and Panteras. Panteras were defeated at home 62-73 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Center Jesus Lombardo (201-2000) stepped up and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Daniel Shedden chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the losing side forward Justin Diaz (187-2002) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones will play against Toros in David in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Panteras will play on the road against Correcaminos in Colon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Toros which played road game in against Union Scorpions. Toros had an easy win 84-60. Guillermo Shuffler nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for the winning side. Carlos Oglive came up with 11 points and 7 rebounds for Union Scorpions in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros will meet at home Atletico Nacional in the next round. Union Scorpions will play against Correcaminos and hope to win that game.

Other games in round 1 were not that significant. Atletico Nacional was beaten by Correcaminos on the road 69-67. Atletico Nacional destroyed Union Scorpions on its own court 101-67. Toros outscored Panteras in David 110-67.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 33 points (!!!) by Amilcar Sanchez of Toros.



Dragones - Correcaminos 85-79

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Correcaminos in Panama City on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Dragones 85-79. Strangely Correcaminos outrebounded Dragones 42-25 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Joshua Lemon (180) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Gianni Ford (188-1997, college: Blinn JC) contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Gil Atencio (202-1996, college: St.Clair) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and power forward Ezequiel Bell (202-1999) added 10 points and 14 rebounds in the effort for Correcaminos. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Correcaminos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragones is looking forward to face Toros in David in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Correcaminos will play against Union Scorpions and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: G.Atencio 18+12reb, M.Hicks 13+8reb+1ast, T.Gaskins 12+2reb+4ast, P.Rivas 10+2reb, E.Bell 10+14reb+2ast, R.Armstrong 9+2reb+9ast
Dragones: J.Lemon 26+8reb+1ast, G.Ford 18+4reb+5ast, E.Solis 18+3reb+1ast, D.Shedden 14+3reb+2ast, J.Quintero 5+2reb+2ast, E.Gonzalez 3+1reb

Union Scorpions - Toros 60-84

An interesting game for Toros which played road game in against Union Scorpions. Toros had an easy win 84-60. Toros outrebounded Union Scorpions 52-35 including a 37-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Toros looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Point guard Guillermo Shuffler (181-2003) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for the winning side and swingman Amilcar Sanchez (191-2001) accounted for 30 points. Forward Carlos Oglive (195-2000) came up with 11 points and 7 rebounds and Jhonny Murillo added 15 points respectively for Union Scorpions in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros will meet at home Atletico Nacional in the next round. Union Scorpions will play against Correcaminos and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Union Scorpions: J.Murillo 15+2ast, Y.Cardozo 11+3reb+1ast, C.Oglive 11+7reb, J.Baloy 6+6reb+1ast, L.Poyatos 5+7reb+4ast, E.Brown 4+5reb
Toros: A.Sanchez 30+2reb, G.Shuffler 16+6reb+11ast, O.Zephyrine 12+6reb+1ast, J.Lewis 6+7reb+1ast, J.Mendoza 5, B.Lasso 4+6reb+1ast

Correcaminos - Atletico Nacional 69-67

There was a small surprise when Correcaminos edged Atletico in Colon 69-67 on Friday. Gil Atencio (202-1996, college: St.Clair) nailed 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international swingman Tyler Gaskins (193-1992, college: St.Peter's) accounted for 15 points and 6 rebounds. Naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (200-1986) came up with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and power forward Aldimir Castillo (203-2002) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Atletico Nacional in the defeat. Four Atletico Nacional players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Correcaminos will meet Union Scorpions in the next round. Atletico will play against Toros in David and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Atletico Nacional: A.Rojas 18+5reb+4ast, A.Castillo 14+5reb+1ast, J.Munoz 14+2reb+2ast, V.Arias 10+7reb+2ast, J.King 5+3reb+5ast, A.Pile 2+4reb
Correcaminos: G.Atencio 21+8reb, T.Gaskins 15+6reb+3ast, M.Hicks 9+3reb+1ast, R.Armstrong 9+6reb+9ast, E.Bell 7+4reb, A.Gedeon 2+1reb

Panteras - Dragones 62-73

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Panama City: Dragones and Panteras. Panteras were defeated at home 62-73 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Dragones brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Center Jesus Lombardo (201-2000) stepped up and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Costa Rican forward Daniel Shedden (193-1996, college: MSUB) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the losing side forward Justin Diaz (187-2002) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds and the former international Israel Munoz (196-1991) scored 8 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dragones will play against Toros in David in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Panteras will play on the road against Correcaminos in Colon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Panteras: J.Diaz 15+7reb+2ast, I.Munoz 8+11reb, D.Laguna 8+2reb+5ast, J.Taylor 6+3reb+2ast, L.McDonald 6+6reb+3ast, D.Castano 6
Dragones: G.Ford 18+2reb+1ast, D.Shedden 17+5reb+1ast, J.Lombardo 16+9reb+1ast, J.Quintero 9+9reb+4ast, E.Solis 8+8reb+5ast, J.Lemon 3+3reb+2ast

Atletico Nacional - Union Scorpions 101-67

Atletico used a home court advantage and smashed the opponent from 101-67 on Sunday night. Atletico Nacional dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Union Scorpions' 38. Atletico Nacional forced 22 Union Scorpions turnovers and outrebounded them 46-30 including 16 on the offensive glass. Atletico Nacional looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Union Scorpions' players. Power forward Aldimir Castillo (203-2002) nailed 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and naturalized American Adalberto Rojas (200-1986) accounted for 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Atletico players scored in double figures. Jhonny Murillo came up with 31 points and Juan Baloy added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Union Scorpions in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Atletico will meet Toros in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Union Scorpions will play against Correcaminos and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Union Scorpions: J.Murillo 31+3reb+3ast, J.Baloy 12+9reb, C.Oglive 6+3reb, E.Brown 4+6reb+3ast, R.Oglivie 3+3ast, J.Toruno 3+3reb
Atletico Nacional: A.Castillo 23+8reb+1ast, G.Ortiz Jr. 15+1reb+4ast, A.Rojas 14+5reb+2ast, D.Walters 10+4reb+3ast, E.Pinillo 10+1reb+2ast, Y.Stewart 8+5reb+3ast

Panteras - Toros 67-110

There was a small surprise when Toros rolled over Panteras in Panama City 110-67 on Sunday. Toros dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Panteras' 32. They outrebounded Panteras 47-30 including a 40-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Toros looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Swingman Amilcar Sanchez (191-2001) nailed 33 points (!!!) for the winning side and point guard Guillermo Shuffler (181-2003) accounted for 15 points and 10 assists. Five Toros players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican guard Jorge Matos (185-1992) came up with 26 points and Jerico Taylor added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Panteras in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Toros will meet at home Atletico Nacional in the next round. Panteras will play against Correcaminos in Colon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Panteras: J.Matos 26+4reb+3ast, J.Taylor 10+5reb, D.Laguna 9+4reb, K.Ellis 5+1reb, I.Munoz 4+3reb+3ast, R.Aguilar 4+3reb+2ast
Toros: A.Sanchez 33+3reb+2ast, G.Shuffler 15+3reb+10ast, J.Lewis 12+6reb+1ast, O.Zephyrine 12+2reb+1ast, J.Lloreda 10+8reb+3ast, D.Wilson 10+9reb