LUB Round 9 (Second Stage): Nacional defeat Penarol

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Penarol (22-6) in Montevideo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Nacional (19-9) 78-71. Nacional made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Naturalized Italian point guard Luciano Parodi (182-1994) contributed with 15 points and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized Italian swingman Nicola Pomoli (195-1999) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds for Penarol. Penarol's coach Leandro Morales rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Nacional have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 19-9 record having just three point less than leader Penarol. Penarol at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Nacional will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Penarol's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo Aguada.
Fifth-ranked Hebraica (16-14) was very close to win a game against second ranked Aguada (20-8) in Montevideo. Aguada managed to secure only two-point victory 102-100. However their fans expected easier game. American Earl Clark (208-1988, college: Louisville) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and Santiago Vidal chipped in 13 points and 11 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Aguada maintains second place with 20-8 record having just four point less than leader Penarol. Hebraica at the other side keeps the fifth position with 14 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 Penarol.
A very close game took place in Montevideo (derby !!!) between Malvin and Defensor. Fourth ranked Malvin (18-12) got a very close victory on the road over 6th ranked Defensor (14-16). Malvin managed to escape with a 1-point win 80-79 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Defensor. Dragan Zekovic nailed 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Victor Rudd came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for Defensor in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Malvin maintains fourth place with 18-12 record. Loser Defensor keeps the sixth position with 16 games lost.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Nacional smashed Aguada on the road 101-82. Defensor won against Penarol on its own court 92-84. Malvin unfortunately lost to Hebraica in Montevideo 73-84.



Penarol - Nacional 71-78

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Penarol (22-6) in Montevideo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Nacional (19-9) 78-71. Nacional made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Naturalized Italian point guard Luciano Parodi (182-1994) contributed with 15 points and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized Italian swingman Nicola Pomoli (195-1999) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds and American forward JyLan Washington (206-1997, college: Tennessee St., agency: SLN) added 17 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Penarol. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Penarol's coach Leandro Morales rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Nacional have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 19-9 record having just three point less than leader Penarol. Penarol at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Nacional will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Penarol's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo Aguada.
Top scorers:
Penarol: N.Pomoli 17+6reb+3ast, J.Washington 17+6reb+1ast, A.Ibarguen 14+4reb+1ast, S.Vescovi 12+4reb+6ast, E.Serres 6+5reb+5ast, M.Rojas 5+6reb
Nacional: O.Ernesto 16+2reb+1ast, P.Luciano 15+1reb+4ast, T.Erik 13+10reb, P.Prieto 12+7reb+1ast, F.James 9+1reb+8ast, E.Gianfranco 7+6reb+4ast

Aguada - Nacional 82-101

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when third ranked Nacional (19-9) crushed second-best Aguada (20-8) in Montevideo 101-82 on Saturday. Nacional made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Nacional outrebounded Aguada 44-26 including 29 on the defensive glass. Nacional shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. American-Dominican center James Feldeine (193-1988, college: Quinnipiac) nailed 25 points and 5 assists for the winning side and Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) accounted for 22 points and 6 rebounds. Nacional's coach Alvaro Ponce used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Earl Clark (208-1988, college: Louisville) came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import Donald Sims (190-1987, college: App State, agency: Pensack Sports) added 16 points (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) respectively for Aguada in the defeat. Five Nacional and four Aguada players scored in double figures. Nacional have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 19-9 record having just three point less than leader Penarol. Loser Aguada keeps the second position with eight games lost. Nacional's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo Penarol.
Top scorers:
Aguada: D.Sims 16+1reb+3ast, E.Clark 15+8reb, R.Joaquin 13+2ast, J.Santiso 10+3reb+4ast, F.Pereiras 9+1reb, L.Santos 7+6reb
Nacional: F.James 25+4reb+5ast, T.Erik 22+6reb+3ast, P.Prieto 14+5reb+3ast, B.Barrera 14+2reb+1ast, Z.Connor 13+4reb, G.Pablo 4+10reb

Defensor - Penarol 92-84

There was an upset when leader Penarol (22-6) lost to sixth ranked Defensor (14-16) in Montevideo 84-92 on Saturday. Defensor made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. American Victor Rudd (206-1991, college: S.Florida) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and guard Facundo Terra (187-1998) accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Guard Santiago Vescovi (191-2001, college: Tennessee) came up with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and Colombian forward Andres Ibarguen (200-1996, college: Angelo St.) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Penarol in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defensor maintains sixth place with 14-16 record. Loser Penarol still keeps top position with six games lost. Defensor's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Montevideo .
Top scorers:
Penarol: A.Ibarguen 19+5reb, E.Serres 11+6reb+2ast, S.Vescovi 10+9reb+6ast, J.Washington 10+4reb+1ast, N.Pomoli 8+3reb+4ast, M.Rojas 8+2reb
Defensor: R.Victor 20+10reb+2ast, T.Facundo 19+7reb+5ast, W.Elijah 14+4reb, M.Theo 12+3reb+3ast, M.Bianchi 8+2reb, Z.Mauro 7+2reb

Hebraica - Malvin 84-73

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifth ranked Hebraica (16-14) won against 4th placed Malvin (18-12) in Montevideo 84-73 on Friday. Hebraica outrebounded Malvin 41-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. American forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side and his fellow American import Arnold Louis (201-1990, college: SSU) accounted for 16 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Nicolas Martinez (206-2003) came up with 15 points and 5 steals and American guard Carlton Guyton (190-1990, college: Kent St.) added 13 points respectively for Malvin in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hebraica maintains fifth place with 16-14 record. Malvin lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Malvin: N.Martinez 15+4reb+2ast, C.Guyton 13+4reb+3ast, J.Webster 12+3ast, D.Zekovic 11+7reb, N.Rodriguez 11+5reb+1ast, S.Fernandez 4+1reb+2ast
Hebraica: X.Ignacio 17+6reb+2ast, W.Brandon 17+1reb+4ast, C.Jalen 17+12reb, L.Arnold 16+12reb, M.Manuel 12+2reb+5ast, S.Gaston 3+3reb+1ast

Aguada - Hebraica 102-100

Fifth-ranked Hebraica (16-14) was very close to win a game against second ranked Aguada (20-8) in Montevideo. Aguada managed to secure only two-point victory 102-100. However their fans expected easier game. Aguada made 19-of-22 charity shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 61.9 percentage. Aguada players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. American Earl Clark (208-1988, college: Louisville) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and guard Santiago Vidal (180-1989) chipped in 13 points and 11 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Charles Mitchell (203-1993, college: Georgia Tech) scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Aguada maintains second place with 20-8 record having just four point less than leader Penarol. Hebraica at the other side keeps the fifth position with 14 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 Penarol.
Top scorers:
Hebraica: J.Canty 22+10reb+4ast, C.Mitchell 21+8reb+3ast, B.Weatherspoon 15+4reb+1ast, I.Xavier 14+10reb+4ast, M.Mayora 13+1reb+2ast, F.Haller 7+3reb+1ast
Aguada: S.Donald 22+2reb+4ast, C.Earl 22+10reb+3ast, V.Santiago 13+4reb+11ast, J.Rodriguez 10+1reb+4ast, S.Juan 10+1reb+4ast, S.Luis 8+6reb

Defensor - Malvin 79-80

A very close game took place in Montevideo (derby !!!) between Malvin and Defensor. Fourth ranked Malvin (18-12) got a very close victory on the road over 6th ranked Defensor (14-16). Malvin managed to escape with a 1-point win 80-79 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Defensor. Malvin dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Defensor's 26. Serbian Dragan Zekovic (209-1987, agency: 011 Sports) nailed 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and forward Nicolas Martinez (206-2003) accounted for 12 points and 6 rebounds. American Victor Rudd (206-1991, college: S.Florida) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import Elijah Weaver (197-1998, college: Chicago St.) added 16 points respectively for Defensor in the defeat. Four Malvin and five Defensor players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Malvin maintains fourth place with 18-12 record. Loser Defensor keeps the sixth position with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Defensor: V.Rudd 23+10reb+2ast, E.Weaver 16+3reb+3ast, B.Mateo 14+6reb+1ast, T.Metzger 11+2reb, F.Terra 10+2reb+7ast, F.Soto 3+1reb+1ast
Malvin: Z.Dragan 20+9reb, R.Nahuel 14+4reb, M.Nicolas 12+6reb+2ast, G.Carlton 11+2reb+2ast, W.Joshua 9+3reb+7ast, F.Santiago 4+1ast