Metropolitan League Round 8: Libertad loses the game and top position

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Metropolitan League. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

There was a change at the Metropolitan League leadership position after last games. Round 8 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Libertad (6-2). They were defeated by second ranked Olimpia (7-1) 94-86 on Monday night. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Libertad. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Olimpia dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Libertad's 38. Olimpia forced 20 Libertad turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Adolfo Lopez (199-89) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field) and international point guard Edgar Riveros (184-91) who added 25 points during the contest. Forward Jorge Martinez (-98) responded with 19 points and 8 assists. Olimpia have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Libertad at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Olimpia. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Libertad faces Ciudad Nueva trying to make it back to the top of the standings. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will travel locally in Asuncion to the arena of Ciudad Nueva. Olimpia will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked San Jose. It will be extra interesting game as San Jose is their local rival from Asuncion.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Asuncion: Sol de America (#4) and Ciudad Nueva (#6). Ciudad Nueva was smashed at home by 20 points 55-75 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The winners were led by Cameroonian center Gaston Essengue (203-83, college: UNLV) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and Jose Fabio supported him with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds by Venezuelan Darwin-Jesus Rivera did not help to save the game for Ciudad Nueva. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sol de America maintains fourth position with 3-5 record. Ciudad Nueva lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with seven games lost. Sol de America will play against Campo Alto (#5) in the next round. Ciudad Nueva's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Asuncion Libertad.
Third ranked San Jose (5-3) crushed at home 5th ranked Campo Alto (2-6) by 27 points 83-56, which is the biggest margin this round on Monday night. The best player for the winners was Tobias Gomez who scored 6 points and 14 rebounds. Alcides Fernandez produced 16 points for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San Jose maintains third position with 5-3 record having just two points less than leader Olimpia. Loser Campo Alto keeps the fifth place with six games lost. San Jose's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Asuncion Olimpia.

The most impressive stats of the last round was 16 points and 5 rebounds by Alejandro Peralta of San Jose.

Ciudad Nueva - Sol de America 55-75

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Asuncion: Sol de America (#4) and Ciudad Nueva (#6). Ciudad Nueva was smashed at home by 20 points 55-75 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Sol de America dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Ciudad Nueva's 24. They outrebounded Ciudad Nueva 47-34 including a 38-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by Cameroonian center Gaston Essengue (203-83, college: UNLV) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and the former international power forward Jose Fabio (200-77) supported him with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds by Venezuelan Darwin-Jesus Rivera did not help to save the game for Ciudad Nueva. Dario Olmedo added 11 points for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sol de America maintains fourth position with 3-5 record. Ciudad Nueva lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with seven games lost. Sol de America will play against Campo Alto (#5) in the next round. Ciudad Nueva's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Asuncion Libertad.
Top scorers:
Sol de America: G.Essengue 23+16reb+2ast, L.Ferreira 17+3reb+1ast, J.Fabio 15+9reb+1ast, R.Sarubi 8+3reb+2ast, C.Schoppler 8+2reb+6ast, E.Ortiz 2+10reb
Ciudad Nueva: D.Jesus Rivera 21+12reb+3ast, D.Olmedo 11+2reb+1ast, T.Sebastian 8+4reb+1ast, S.Lucas 6+2reb, A.Benjamin 3+3reb+1ast, R.Orue 3+4reb

Olimpia - Libertad 94-86

There was a change at the Metropolitan League leadership position after last games. Round 8 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Libertad (6-2). They were defeated by second ranked Olimpia (7-1) 94-86 on Monday night. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Libertad. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Olimpia dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Libertad's 38. Olimpia forced 20 Libertad turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Adolfo Lopez (199-89) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field) and international point guard Edgar Riveros (184-91) who added 25 points during the contest. Forward Jorge Martinez (-98) responded with 19 points and 8 assists and international forward Gabriel Peralta (201-95) scored 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Olimpia have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Libertad at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Olimpia. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Libertad faces Ciudad Nueva trying to make it back to the top of the standings. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will travel locally in Asuncion to the arena of Ciudad Nueva. Olimpia will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked San Jose. It will be extra interesting game as San Jose is their local rival from Asuncion.
Top scorers:
Olimpia: A.Lopez 32+10reb+1ast, E.Riveros 25+1reb+1ast, L.Ljubetich 15+3reb+9ast, R.Mercado 9+4reb+3ast, F.Mellone 8+7reb+3ast, M.Abraham 5+1reb+3ast
Libertad: J.Martinez 19+4reb+8ast, V.Sosa 13, J.Sequera 12+7reb, D.Bareiro 10+4reb+1ast, G.Peralta 9+7reb+4ast, M.Aponte 9+3reb+3ast

San Jose - Campo Alto 83-56

Third ranked San Jose (5-3) crushed at home 5th ranked Campo Alto (2-6) by 27 points 83-56, which is the biggest margin this round on Monday night. San Jose dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Campo Alto's 40. They outrebounded Campo Alto 46-27 including 31 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Argentinian Tobias Gomez who scored 6 points and 14 rebounds. The former international forward Alejandro Peralta (195-91) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. Center Alcides Fernandez (206-83) produced 16 points and Sebastian Galarza (185-1) added 14 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San Jose maintains third position with 5-3 record having just two points less than leader Olimpia. Loser Campo Alto keeps the fifth place with six games lost. San Jose's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Asuncion Olimpia.
Top scorers:
San Jose: A.Peralta 16+5reb+2ast, J.Rolon 7+5reb, F.Dose 7+1reb+1ast, J.Lloreda 7+7reb+2ast, J.Alen 6+2reb, E.Enrique 6+3reb+1ast
Campo Alto: A.Fernandez 16+2reb+1ast, S.Galarza 14+1reb, D.Ortiz 8+3reb, O.Laconich 6+6reb+1ast, N.Peralta 5+5reb+1ast, R.Edgar 5



Tags : ADOLFO LOPEZ, OLIMPIA DE ASUNCION, PARAGUAYAN BASKETBALL