LUB Round 9 (Regular Season): Nacional keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nacional as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Nacional defeated 5th ranked Hebraica in Montevideo 89-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hebraica. American-Dominican center James Feldeine (193-1988, college: Quinnipiac) stepped up and scored 22 points for the winners and American forward Connor Zinaich (201-1997, college: Nova SE) chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Nacional's coach Alvaro Ponce used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was forward Federico Haller (200-1988) with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Nacional (7-1) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Hebraica at the other side dropped to the sixth place with three games lost. Hebraica will play next round against strong Aguada trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo - Aguada. Nacional will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Malvin. It will be extra interesting game as Malvin is their local rival from Montevideo.
Undefeated Penarol (6-1) recorded its first loss in Montevideo. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked Goes (2-6) 88-81. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Penarol. American-Puerto Rican guard Jahvari Josiah (193-1993, college: Coppin St.) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Manuel Oyenard accounted for 21 points. Guard Santiago Vescovi (191-2001, college: Tennessee) came up with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Penarol in the defeat. Goes moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Cordon. Penarol at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Goes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Welcome.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Montevideo: Malvin (#3) and Urunday (#8). Urunday was defeated at home 70-76 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was Remy Abell who scored 16 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Travis Daniels who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 17 rebounds. Urunday's coach Mauricio Gonzalez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Malvin. They maintain third place with 6-2 record behind leader Nacional. Urunday lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with U.Atletica. Malvin's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo Nacional.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: winless Welcome was destroyed by Aguada on the opponent's court 112-82. Bigua managed to outperform U.Atletica in a home game 84-78. Cordon recorded a loss to Defensor on the road 97-84.



Aguada - Welcome 112-82

Very expected game in Montevideo where bottom-ranked Welcome (0-8) was crushed by fifth ranked Aguada (5-3) 112-82 on Monday. Aguada made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Aguada outrebounded Welcome 49-31 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Aguada looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Federico Pereiras (190-1994) who scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Santiago Vidal (180-1989) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Aguada players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Colombian Alvaro Pena (197-1995, agency: Starting 5) who recorded 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American swingman Marquis Moore (198-1994, college: HPU) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Aguada moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Defensor. Welcome lost their eighth game in a row. They still close the standings with eight games lost. Aguada's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Hebraica.
Top scorers:
Aguada: Z.Agustin 18+6reb+1ast, P.Federico 17+8reb+4ast, G.Agustin 17+8reb, C.Earl 16+5reb+2ast, V.Santiago 15+5reb+8ast, S.Juan 10+4reb+4ast
Welcome: M.Moore 17+5reb+1ast, A.Pena 14+8reb+5ast, M.Cameron 13+2reb+5ast, F.Garcia 9+2ast, R.Cardozo 8+6reb+1ast, P.Rafael 8+3reb

Bigua - U.Atletica 84-78

Everything could happen in Montevideo at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Bigua and 8th ranked U.Atletica had identical 3-4 record. This time Bigua used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Montevideo 84-78 on Monday night. Bigua made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Dominican Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). American point guard Deshone Hicks (178-1999, college: Ferrum) chipped in 16 points. Bigua's coach Federico Camina used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Quatarrius Wilson (203-1996, college: SEMO, agency: One Motive Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and guard Santiago Vidal (180-1989) added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. Five U.Atletica players scored in double figures. Bigua (4-4) moved-up to seventh place. U.Atletica lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with Urunday. Bigua's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Cordon.
Top scorers:
Bigua: M.Jhery 22+10reb+2ast, H.Deshone 16+4reb+3ast, I.Gonzalo 14+4reb+2ast, H.Franklin 9+3reb, O.Sebastian 9+5reb+2ast, R.Thiago 7+2reb
U.Atletica: Q.Wilson 21+12reb, I.Ross 14+9reb+1ast, M.Giano 13+2reb+2ast, A.Lopez 12+4reb+3ast, P.Ty 11+8reb+6ast, J.Ducasse 7+6reb+1ast

Nacional - Hebraica 89-79

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Nacional as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Nacional defeated 5th ranked Hebraica in Montevideo 89-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hebraica. American-Dominican center James Feldeine (193-1988, college: Quinnipiac) stepped up and scored 22 points for the winners and American forward Connor Zinaich (201-1997, college: Nova SE) chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Nacional's coach Alvaro Ponce used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was forward Federico Haller (200-1988) with 17 points and 6 rebounds and forward Ignacio Xavier (195-1999) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Nacional (7-1) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Hebraica at the other side dropped to the sixth place with three games lost. Hebraica will play next round against strong Aguada trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo - Aguada. Nacional will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Malvin. It will be extra interesting game as Malvin is their local rival from Montevideo.
Top scorers:
Nacional: F.James 22+2reb+3ast, Z.Connor 12+10reb+1ast, C.Marcos 11+2reb+1ast, B.Ezequiel 10+4reb, P.Prieto 10+1reb+3ast, M.Agustin 9+3reb
Hebraica: F.Haller 17+6reb+1ast, I.Xavier 16+5reb+1ast, J.Canty 15+5reb+1ast, M.Mayora 10+3reb+3ast, N.Andre 7+6reb+2ast, F.Morales 7+2reb+3ast

Urunday - Malvin 70-76

Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Montevideo: Malvin (#3) and Urunday (#8). Urunday was defeated at home 70-76 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was American guard Remy Abell (193-1992, college: Xavier) who scored 16 points and 6 assists. Puerto Rican swingman Jesus Cruz (196-1998, college: Fairfield) chipped in 20 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Travis Daniels (203-1992, college: MSU, agency: Olsta) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 17 rebounds and the other American import guard Eric Demers (185-1997, college: Gordon) added 18 points respectively. Urunday's coach Mauricio Gonzalez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Malvin. They maintain third place with 6-2 record behind leader Nacional. Urunday lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with U.Atletica. Malvin's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo Nacional.
Top scorers:
Malvin: C.Jesus 20+1reb+1ast, A.Remy 16+2reb+6ast, R.Manuel 13+3reb, M.Octavio 8+3reb, Z.Dragan 8+6reb+1ast, W.Kiril 5+11reb+1ast
Urunday: E.Demers 18+2ast, T.Daniels 13+17reb+1ast, E.Holt 11+5reb+1ast, B.Curadossi 7+3reb, S.Massa 5+1reb+2ast, A.Moller 5+5reb+1ast

Defensor - Cordon 97-84

Not a big story in a game in Montevideo where 10th ranked Cordon (2-6) was defeated by fifth ranked Defensor (5-3) 97-84 on Tuesday. Defensor looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was center Theo Metzger (200-1999) who scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. Venezuelan center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, college: Campbellsville) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and the other American import forward Bryce Beamer (197-1998, college: FMU) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defensor moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Aguada. Loser Cordon keeps the tenth position with six games lost. They share it with Goes. Defensor's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Penarol.
Top scorers:
Defensor: M.Theo 23+8reb, C.Nestor 19+7reb+1ast, W.Dion 11+3reb+1ast, W.Elijah 10+2reb+2ast, M.MacMullen 9+2reb+3ast, M.Bianchi 9+1reb+1ast
Cordon: A.Gilder 33+5reb+2ast, B.Beamer 14+5reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 10+4reb+2ast, L.Tiago 10+1reb+1ast, P.Rusch 5+4reb+3ast, M.Facundo 4+4ast

Goes - Penarol 88-81

Undefeated Penarol (6-1) recorded its first loss in Montevideo. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked Goes (2-6) 88-81. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Penarol. Strangely Penarol outrebounded Goes 39-27 including 25 on the defensive glass. Penarol was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American-Puerto Rican guard Jahvari Josiah (193-1993, college: Coppin St.) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and forward Manuel Oyenard (194-2000) accounted for 21 points. Four Goes players scored in double figures. Guard Santiago Vescovi (191-2001, college: Tennessee) came up with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Skyler Hogan (196-1997, college: SEMO) added 17 points respectively for Penarol in the defeat. Goes moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Cordon. Penarol at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Goes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Montevideo to the arena Welcome.
Top scorers:
Goes: J.Jahvari 23+5reb+4ast, O.Manuel 21+3reb+1ast, N.David 14+7reb+1ast, C.Xavier 12+3reb, A.Alejandro 9+2reb+3ast, C.Sergio 5+4reb+2ast
Penarol: S.Vescovi 21+7reb+4ast, S.Hogan 17+3reb+2ast, A.Ibarguen 11+9reb, S.Calimares 10+2reb+1ast, L.Nicolas 9+5reb, N.Pomoli 9+6reb+6ast