Metropolitan Round 8: U.Atletica beat Atenas in a derby game

Andres Dotti

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Montevideo: U.Atletica (#5) and Atenas (#8). U.Atletica (4-2) smashed visiting Atenas (3-3) by 24 points 99-75. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Atenas. U.Atletica dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Atenas' 18. They outrebounded Atenas 40-26 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. U.Atletica looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Andres Dotti (180-1993) who scored 21 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Center Agustin Cabillon (198-1995) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. U.Atletica's coach Esteban Yaquinta felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized Argentinian power forward Agustin Zuvich (201-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. U.Atletica moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Atenas at the other side dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. U.Atletica's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Olimpia.
Bottom-ranked Verdirrojo (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 65-50 loss to fifteenth ranked Welcome (2-4) in Montevideo. Center Mauricio Arregui (200-1998) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points. Sebastian Sosa contributed with 12 points for the winners. American guard Robert Whitfield (190-1997, college: UMKC) replied with 10 points and 4 steals for Verdirrojo. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Welcome moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Verdirrojo at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Sayago was also quite interesting. Second ranked Urunday (5-1) played at the court of 6th ranked Sayago (3-3). Urunday managed to secure a 8-point victory 72-64 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Charles Mitchell who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds. Damian Tintorelli responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Sayago's coach German Fernandez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Urunday have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 5-1 record having just one point less than leader Larranaga. Loser Sayago dropped to the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 8 Capitol crushed Miramar in Montevideo 102-76.