LUB Round 8 (Second Stage): Malvin defeat Nacional

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Nacional (23-4) in Montevideo on Monday night. Hosts were edged by fourth ranked Malvin (17-10) 85-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nacional. They outrebounded Nacional 45-29 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Serbian Dragan Zekovic (209-1987, agency: 011 Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) contributed with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Brazilian Joao Cardoso (200-2000) replied with 17 points for Nacional. Nacional's coach Alvaro Ponce rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Malvin maintains fourth position with 17-10 record. Nacional at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Montevideo: Aguada (#2) and Defensor (#5). Aguada (22-5) won against visiting Defensor (12-15) 83-75. Worth to mention a great performance of American Donald Sims (190-1987, college: App State, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 5 assists and Franklin Hassell who added 17 points and 13 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) during the contest. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguada have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 22-5 record having just eight point less than leader Nacional which they share with defeated Defensor. Defensor lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the second place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Hebraica.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Montevideo: Penarol (#3) and Cordon (#6). Penarol (20-7) won against visiting Cordon (11-16) 95-88. The winners were led by Luis Santos who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Even 28 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by Deshone Hicks did not help to save the game for Cordon. Penarol maintains third position with 20-7 record having just six point less than leader Nacional which they share with defeated Cordon. Cordon lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Urunday.




Aguada - Defensor 83-75

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Montevideo: Aguada (#2) and Defensor (#5). Aguada (22-5) won against visiting Defensor (12-15) 83-75. Aguada players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American Donald Sims (190-1987, college: App State, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 5 assists and the other American import center Franklin Hassell (205-1988, college: ODU) who added 17 points and 13 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) during the contest. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds and guard Facundo Terra (187-1998) scored 12 points and 7 assists. Four Defensor players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguada have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 22-5 record having just eight point less than leader Nacional which they share with defeated Defensor. Defensor lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the second place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Hebraica.
Top scorers:
Aguada: D.Sims 27+1reb+5ast, F.Hassell 17+13reb+2ast, J.Santiso 13+10reb+5ast, S.Vidal 8+2reb+13ast, J.Osimani 6+4reb, A.Gentile 6+8reb
Defensor: J.Galletto 17+2reb+3ast, M.Curry 12+6reb+4ast, F.Terra 12+3reb+7ast, D.Wright 11+10reb+2ast, A.Gordon 8+3reb, M.MacMullen 5+4reb+2ast

Nacional - Malvin 82-85

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Nacional (23-4) in Montevideo on Monday night. Hosts were edged by fourth ranked Malvin (17-10) 85-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nacional. They outrebounded Nacional 45-29 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Serbian Dragan Zekovic (209-1987, agency: 011 Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Brazilian Joao Cardoso (200-2000) replied with 17 points and American-Dominican center James Feldeine (193-1988, college: Quinnipiac) added 14 points in the effort for Nacional. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Nacional's coach Alvaro Ponce rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Malvin maintains fourth position with 17-10 record. Nacional at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Malvin: D.Zekovic 20+11reb+3ast, A.Hilliard 19+10reb+2ast, C.Guyton 11+1reb+1ast, L.Capalbo 10+1reb+6ast, M.Romero 9+2reb, N.Martinez 7+8reb
Nacional: J.Cardoso 17+4reb+2ast, P.Prieto 15+2reb+1ast, J.Feldeine 14+2reb+3ast, M.Sarni 10+3reb+6ast, G.Espindola 9+8reb+1ast, G.Semiglia 7+1reb+4ast

Penarol - Cordon 95-88

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Montevideo: Penarol (#3) and Cordon (#6). Penarol (20-7) won against visiting Cordon (11-16) 95-88. Penarol made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Penarol outrebounded Cordon 46-28 including a 22-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Penarol looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The winners were led by Dominican center Luis Santos (203-1994, college: St.Louis) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds and forward Emiliano Serres (204-1997) supported him with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Four Penarol players scored in double figures. Even 28 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by American point guard Deshone Hicks (178-1999, college: Ferrum) did not help to save the game for Cordon. Cape Verdean Victor Andrade (202-2000) added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Penarol maintains third position with 20-7 record having just six point less than leader Nacional which they share with defeated Cordon. Cordon lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Urunday.
Top scorers:
Penarol: E.Serres 22+6reb+1ast, S.Armand 17+2reb+5ast, L.Santos 17+13reb+1ast, M.Rojas 14+10reb+4ast, V.Rudd 9+4reb+4ast, I.Xavier 8+9reb+3ast
Cordon: D.Hicks 28+5reb+7ast, K.Hunter 21+2reb+4ast, V.Andrade 18+11reb+3ast, F.Verrone 7+6reb+2ast, X.Couste 5+1reb+4ast, E.Bonet 5+2ast