Liga de Ascenso Round 8 (Regular Season): Verdirrojo hands first loss to Lagomar

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Lagomar (5-1) in Montevideo on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Verdirrojo (4-2) 87-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lagomar. Verdirrojo made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Lagomar 41-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Forward Federico Haller (200-1988) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Naturalized Italian forward Xavier Couste (186-1999) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Jamal Hartwell II (180-1999, college: UC Riverside) replied with 23 points for Lagomar. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Verdirrojo have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Verdirrojo went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with Stockolmo. Lagomar at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Montevideo: Atenas (#1) and Stockolmo (#4). Atenas (6-1) smashed visiting Stockolmo (4-2) by 21 points 78-57. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mateo Pose (190-1994) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Andriy Grytsak who added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Center Rainer Torres (208-2002) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Atenas maintains first position with 6-1 record. Stockolmo at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with Verdirrojo.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Montevideo: Larranaga (#5) and Marne (#7). Marne was defeated at home 82-86 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Marne. The winners were led by Mateo Bolivar who scored that evening 25 points and 6 assists. Even 28 points and 5 assists by Jacob Ledoux did not help to save the game for Marne. Marne's coach Fabian Narbais rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Larranaga have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with L.Borges. Loser Marne keeps the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Colon.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 8: bottom-ranked Capitol was beaten by Olimpia on the road 80-77. Montevideo lost to Colon on its own court 90-101. Tabare managed to outperform Yale in a road game 88-74.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 27 points and 8 assists by Juan Zanotta of Tabare.



Atenas - Stockolmo 78-57

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Montevideo: Atenas (#1) and Stockolmo (#4). Atenas (6-1) smashed visiting Stockolmo (4-2) by 21 points 78-57. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mateo Pose (190-1994) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Ukrainian Andriy Grytsak (201-2000) who added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Atenas players scored in double figures. Center Rainer Torres (208-2002) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Emiliano Bonet (186-2001) scored 10 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Atenas maintains first position with 6-1 record. Stockolmo at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with Verdirrojo.
Top scorers:
Stockolmo: R.Torres 11+9reb, F.Izarrualde 11+3reb, E.Bonet 10+3reb+3ast, N.Lema 9+3reb, T.Copelotti 5+3reb+1ast, N.Bessio 4+1reb+1ast
Atenas: L.Planells 14+2reb+4ast, D.Stewart 14+3reb+2ast, M.Pose 13+6reb+4ast, R.De Leon 13+6reb+1ast, A.Grytsak 8+9reb+4ast, J.Stoll 7+1reb+2ast

Marne - Larranaga 82-86

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Montevideo: Larranaga (#5) and Marne (#7). Marne was defeated at home 82-86 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Marne. Larranaga made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game, while Marne only scored seven points from the stripe. The winners were led by Argentinian Mateo Bolivar (187-1992) who scored that evening 25 points and 6 assists and naturalized Argentinian power forward Agustin Zuvich (201-1995) supported him with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Even 28 points and 5 assists by American guard Jacob Ledoux (190-1997, college: UTPB, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) did not help to save the game for Marne. Point guard Andres Aristimuno (184-1992) added 10 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for the hosts. Four Marne players scored in double figures. Marne's coach Fabian Narbais rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Larranaga have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with L.Borges. Loser Marne keeps the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Colon.
Top scorers:
Marne: J.Ledoux 28+4reb+5ast, M.Barriola 13+1reb+2ast, L.Silva 11+3reb, A.Aristimuno 10+2reb+5ast, J.Sacco 9+4reb+1ast, M.Nicoletti 4+1reb
Larranaga: M.Bolivar 25+3reb+6ast, A.Zuvich 22+8reb+2ast, N.Rodriguez 11+4reb+1ast, G.Brun 8+3reb+1ast, N.Borsellino 7+5reb+2ast, M.Cancela 6+3reb+5ast

Olimpia - Capitol 80-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with twelfth ranked Olimpia's (2-5) home victory over bottom-ranked Capitol (1-7) in Montevideo 80-77 on Thursday. The winners were led by American swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) who scored that evening 20 points and 9 rebounds and guard Agustin Mendez (180-2003) supported him with 19 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds by Panamanian power forward Ezequiel Bell (202-1999) did not help to save the game for Capitol. Agustin Moller (-1985) added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Olimpia moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Tabare. Capitol lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Capitol: E.Bell 23+10reb+1ast, A.Moller 20+10reb+1ast, M.Giano 13+2reb+5ast, P.Macanskas 9+5reb+2ast, C.Bascou 4+3ast, M.MacMullen 3+4reb
Olimpia: A.Hilliard 20+9reb+1ast, A.Mendez 19+3reb+5ast, D.Russell 13+8reb+4ast, F.Brun 7+1reb+2ast, A.Agarbado 6+6reb+1ast, C.Pereira 5+8reb+2ast

Montevideo - Colon 90-101

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Montevideo's (1-4) home loss to ninth ranked Colon (3-4) 90-101 on Friday. Colon had a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by point guard Felipe Garcia (173-1999) who scored that evening 32 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and center Martin Tessadri (200-2001) supported him with 25 points. Even a double-double of 20 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) by forward Octavio Medina (195-1996) did not help to save the game for Montevideo. Point guard Fernando Martinez (173-1979) added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Montevideo's coach Sergio Delgado tested eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Colon moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Marne. Montevideo lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Montevideo: O.Medina 20+13reb+6ast, F.Martinez 15+7reb+5ast, M.Antunez 14+2reb+2ast, R.Arrillaga 10+2reb+2ast, L.Perez 8+1reb+2ast, F.Hornos 6+2reb
Colon: F.Garcia 32+3reb+7ast, M.Tessadri 25+4reb+3ast, R.Brause 15+2reb+1ast, F.Trusich 11+5reb+1ast, J.Martin Ortiz 8+3reb+2ast, S.Tucuna 5+6reb+2ast

Verdirrojo - Lagomar 87-63

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Lagomar (5-1) in Montevideo on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Verdirrojo (4-2) 87-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lagomar. Verdirrojo made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Lagomar 41-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Forward Federico Haller (200-1988) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Naturalized Italian forward Xavier Couste (186-1999) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Verdirrojo players scored in double figures. American point guard Jamal Hartwell II (180-1999, college: UC Riverside) replied with 23 points and Cape Verdean Victor Andrade (202-2000) added 10 points in the effort for Lagomar. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Verdirrojo have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Verdirrojo went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with Stockolmo. Lagomar at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Lagomar: J.Hartwell II 23+1reb+2ast, V.Andrade 10+3reb+2ast, M.Benitez 9+5reb, S.Moglia 6+1reb, S.Wohlwend 6+5reb+1ast, C.Modernell 5+7reb+3ast
Verdirrojo: F.Haller 19+10reb+1ast, X.Couste 14+6reb, A.Cabillon 12+3reb, A.Irastorza 11+4reb, G.Corbisiero 9+3reb+1ast, M.Aguilera 8+4reb+3ast

Yale - Tabare 74-88

There was a surprise result when twelfth ranked Tabare (2-5) won against higher ranked Yale (2-4) in Montevideo 88-74 on Friday. The winners were led by guard Juan Zanotta (185-1995) who scored that evening 27 points and 8 assists and point guard Federico Ambrosoni (183-1999) supported him with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Tabare's coach Nico Scarabino used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists by Tomas Barragan did not help to save the game for Yale. Federico Miller (198-1997) added 11 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tabare moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Olimpia. Loser Yale dropped to the ninth position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Yale: T.Barragan 24+7reb+7ast, A.Zaporta 13+6reb, B.Curadossi 12+3reb+4ast, F.Miller 11+7reb+3ast, M.Astramskas 8+4reb+2ast, F.Yaquinta 6+1reb
Tabare: J.Zanotta 27+3reb+8ast, F.Ambrosoni 16+5reb+3ast, T.Adway 13+7reb+4ast, T.Araujo 10+2reb+2ast, F.Morales 7+3reb, S.Pernas 5+1ast