The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most exciting game of round 29 in the LEB Gold took place in Santiago de Compostela. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Zunder Palencia (19-10) to sixth ranked Monbus Obradoiro (20-9) 77-76 in the game for the fifth place. Obradoiro made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Palencia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds. American guard Brad Davison (193-1999, college: Wisconsin) contributed with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Alec Wintering (183-1995, college: Portland) answered with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Palencia. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Monbus Obradoiro have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place. Palencia at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. Obradoiro are looking forward to face higher ranked Real Betis (#4) in Sevilla in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Palencia will play at home against Burgos T. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
LEB Gold top team – Burgos SP (27-2) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Oviedo (11-18) 78-72. The former international forward Daniel Diez (203-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Jon Axel Gudmundsson chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Guard Raul Lobaco (197-2000) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Burgos SP. They maintain first place with 27-2 record. Oviedo at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Alicante and Zamora. Burgos SP will play against Cantabria (#15) in Torrelavega in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Oviedo will play on the road against Gipuzkoa (#9) in San Sebastian and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Cartagena was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Real Betis (23-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Cartagena (13-16). Real Betis defeated Cartagena 85-72 on Sunday. David Jelinek nailed 23 points for the winning side. Dylan Van Eyck came up with 17 points and 6 assists for Cartagena in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Real Betis. They maintain fourth place with 23-6 record. Cartagena lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with 16 games lost. Real Betis will meet at home Obradoiro (#5) in the next round. Cartagena will play against Menorca in Mahon and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 29: Gipuzkoa beat Menorca on the road 81-72. Burgos T. lost to Alicante on its own court 90-96. Bottom-ranked Moron unfortunately lost to Estudiantes in Madrid 70-87. Ourense rolled over Castello at home 96-77. Cantabria defeated Valladolid on the opponent’s court 88-81. Zamora was beaten by Fuenlabrada in a home game 71-73.
The most impressive performance of 29th round was 16 points and 7 rebounds by Jonas Paukste of Zamora.
Menorca – Gipuzkoa 72-81
No shocking result in a game when eleventh ranked Gipuzkoa (12-17) beat 14th ranked Menorca (10-19) in Mahon 81-72 on Saturday. Canadian-Croatian power forward Josip Vrankic (206-1998, college: Santa Clara) nailed 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Xavier Johnson (185-2000, college: SIU) accounted for 14 points and 5 rebounds. American point guard Jalen Cone (180, college: California) came up with 24 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the former international center Victor Arteaga (212-1992) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Menorca in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gipuzkoa moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Ourense. Loser Menorca keeps the fourteenth position with 19 games lost. They share it with Cantabria. Gipuzkoa will meet at home Oviedo (#13) in the next round. Menorca will play against Cartagena and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Menorca: J.Cone 24, P.Ivanov 13+2reb+3ast, V.Arteaga 13+8reb+1ast, M.Lukovic 10+3reb+1ast, S.Llorente 3+1reb, S.McDonnell 3+5reb+1ast
Gipuzkoa: J.Vrankic 20+5reb+1ast, X.Johnson 14+5reb+3ast, D.Smith 11+5reb+1ast, M.Ansorregui 10+10reb+2ast, M.Diaz 9+3reb+2ast, J.Nicolau 7+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1181444
Burgos T. – Alicante 90-96
There was an upset when higher ranked Burgos T. (15-14) lost at home to thirteenth ranked Alicante (11-18) 96-90 on Friday. Alicante made 23-of-25 free shots (92.0 percent) during the game. Danish center Kevin Larsen (208-1993, college: GWU) nailed 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and American point guard Jordan King (183-2001, college: Richmond) accounted for 24 points. Five Alicante players scored in double figures. Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-1999) came up with 23 points and 6 assists and guard Arnau Parrado (204-2000) added 16 points respectively for Burgos T. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Alicante moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Zamora and Oviedo. Burgos T. lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 14 games lost. Alicante will meet at home higher ranked Ourense (#10) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Burgos T. will play against Palencia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Burgos T.: C.Pacheco 23+4reb+6ast, A.Parrado 16+4reb, J.Diaz 13+5reb+1ast, L.Jones 11+1reb, J.Rodriguez 9+4reb+1ast, M.Soluade 6+2reb+4ast
Alicante: J.King 24+1ast, K.Larsen 18+7reb+6ast, A.Rodriguez 14+2reb+3ast, R.Bidias 11+3reb, J.Mwema 11+5reb, A.Lopez 9+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1181445
Obradoiro – Palencia 77-76
The most exciting game of round 29 in the LEB Gold took place in Santiago de Compostela. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Zunder Palencia (19-10) to sixth ranked Monbus Obradoiro (20-9) 77-76 in the game for the fifth place. Obradoiro made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Palencia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Czech center Ondrej Balvin (217-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds. American guard Brad Davison (193-1999, college: Wisconsin) contributed with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Alec Wintering (183-1995, college: Portland) answered with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import center Cameron Krutwig (206-1998, college: Loyola, IL) added 10 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Palencia. Four Palencia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Monbus Obradoiro have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place. Palencia at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. Obradoiro are looking forward to face higher ranked Real Betis (#4) in Sevilla in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Palencia will play at home against Burgos T. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Palencia: A.Wintering 19+5reb+4ast, A.Kunkel 16+2reb, L.Nkereuwem 13+4reb, C.Krutwig 10+7reb+1ast, X.Oroz 6+3reb, M.Rodriguez 5+1ast
Obradoiro: B.Davison 14+5reb+1ast, O.Balvin 11+13reb, A.Munoz 10, A.Barcello 10+1reb+1ast, M.Jimenez 8+5reb+2ast, S.Quintela 6+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1181446
Estudiantes – Moron 87-70
Very predictable result when third ranked Estudiantes (24-5) won against bottom-ranked Moron (3-26) in Madrid 87-70 on Sunday. Estudiantes dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Moron‘s 28. They outrebounded Moron 39-26 including a 30-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Serbian-Canadian center Dejan Kravic (210-1990, college: Texas Tech, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Devin Schmidt (193-1994, college: Delta St.) accounted for 18 points and 5 assists. Four Estudiantes players scored in double figures. Forward Ismael Tamba (201-2001) came up with 7 points and 10 rebounds and guard Luis Parejo (194-1989) added 13 points respectively for Moron in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Estudiantes moved-up to second place, which they share with Fuenlabrada. Moron lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team stay dead last with 26 lost games. Estudiantes’ supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Madrid to the arena Fuenlabrada.
Top scorers:
Moron: L.Parejo 13+3ast, A.Norris 11+1reb+2ast, M.M’Madi 10+3reb, F.Santana 8+2reb+3ast, V.da Silva 7+5reb, I.Tamba 7+10reb+1ast
Estudiantes: D.Schmidt 18+2reb+5ast, D.Kravic 16+13reb, F.Alonso 11+5reb+3ast, S.Barro 10+5reb+1ast, A.Sola 7+4reb+2ast, M.Andric 7+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1181447
Cartagena – Real Betis 72-85
The game in Cartagena was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Real Betis (23-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Cartagena (13-16). Real Betis defeated Cartagena 85-72 on Sunday. Real Betis had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. Czech swingman David Jelinek (194-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed 23 points for the winning side and Brazilian Vitor Benite (194-1990) accounted for 20 points. Dutch forward Dylan Van Eyck (203-1998, college: Iona) came up with 17 points and 6 assists and American forward Calvin Hermanson (198-1994, college: SMC) added 14 points respectively for Cartagena in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Real Betis. They maintain fourth place with 23-6 record. Cartagena lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with 16 games lost. Real Betis will meet at home Obradoiro (#5) in the next round. Cartagena will play against Menorca in Mahon and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cartagena: D.Van Eyck 17+4reb+6ast, C.Hermanson 14+1reb, G.Gil 9+3reb, S.Ugochukwu 7+7reb, S.Garuba 7+1reb, J.Balastegui 6+2reb+2ast
Real Betis: D.Jelinek 23+3reb, V.Benite 20, A.Renfroe 9+2reb+5ast, B.De Bisschop 8+7reb+5ast, D.Radoncic 6+5reb+5ast, A.Cvetkovic 5+1reb+4ast
gschID: 1181448
Ourense – Castello 96-77
Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Castello (7-22) was outscored on the road by twelfth ranked Ourense (12-17) 96-77 on Saturday. Ourense outrebounded Castello 39-23 including 27 on the defensive glass. Ourense looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Portuguese guard Diogo Brito (198-1997, college: Utah St.) nailed 27 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Canadian forward Ben Krikke (206-2001, college: Iowa) accounted for 19 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Four Ourense players scored in double figures. American-Cameroonian guard Charles Minlend Jr (193-1997, college: Louisville) came up with 18 points and Senegalese center Tanor Ngom (216-1998, college: FSU) added 17 points respectively for Castello in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Ourense moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Gipuzkoa. Castello lost their thirteenth game in a row. They keep the seventeenth position with 22 games lost. Ourense will meet Alicante (#12) on the road in the next round. Castello will play against Moron (#18) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Castello: C.Minlend Jr. 18+2reb+2ast, T.Ngom 17+4reb, J.Tate 10+1reb+3ast, E.Stutz 7+4reb+1ast, J.Faner 6+7ast, G.Maiza 5+1reb
Ourense: D.Brito 27+7reb+2ast, B.Krikke 19+3reb+3ast, R.Lisboa 14+2reb+6ast, S.Rodriguez 10+3reb+5ast, M.Fernandez 9+2reb, U.Mendicote 7+3reb+7ast
gschID: 1181449
Oviedo – Burgos SP 72-78
LEB Gold top team – Burgos SP (27-2) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Oviedo (11-18) 78-72. They outrebounded Oviedo 42-31 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Oviedo was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international forward Daniel Diez (203-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Icelandic guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson (195-1996, college: Davidson) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Guard Raul Lobaco (197-2000) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and American-Nigerian power forward Ike Nweke (201-2000, college: Quinnipiac) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Burgos SP. They maintain first place with 27-2 record. Oviedo at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Alicante and Zamora. Burgos SP will play against Cantabria (#15) in Torrelavega in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Oviedo will play on the road against Gipuzkoa (#9) in San Sebastian and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Oviedo: R.Lobaco 15+8reb+1ast, S.Verplancken 11+3reb+2ast, I.Nweke 11+5reb+1ast, M.Marti 9+3reb+1ast, R.Cosialls 8+2reb+2ast, J.Valinotti 6+5reb+1ast
Burgos SP: D.Diez 23+12reb+1ast, J.Axel Gudmundsson 14+6reb+8ast, L.Fischer 14+6reb+1ast, M.Lapornik 9+3reb, G.Corbalan 8+5reb+2ast, J.Cremo 3+2reb+2ast
gschID: 1181450
Valladolid – Cantabria 81-88
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both sixteenth ranked Cantabria and 15th ranked Valladolid had identical 9-19 record. But Valladolid was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Torrelavega 88-81 on Friday night. Bosnian Mirza Bulic (207-1992) nailed 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American guard Reginald Johnson (187-1994, college: Hampton, agency: Helping Ballers) accounted for 14 points and 5 assists. Naturalized Dominican guard Michael Cuevas (188-1994) came up with 18 points and South African guard Samkelo Cele (198-1997, college: USAO) added 13 points respectively for Valladolid in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cantabria (10-19) moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Menorca. Loser Valladolid dropped to the sixteenth position with 20 games lost. Cantabria will meet at home league’s leader Burgos SP in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Valladolid will play against Zamora (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valladolid: M.Cuevas 18+3reb+2ast, S.Cele 13+4reb+1ast, E.Demers 12+4reb+2ast, J.Mballa 11+5reb, S.Wilson 7+8reb+1ast, V.Vucetic 7+8reb+1ast
Cantabria: S.Littleson 16+4reb+2ast, M.Bulic 14+6reb+4ast, R.Johnson 14+4reb+5ast, K.Bercy 13+4reb+2ast, H.Atencia 9+1reb+2ast, J.Vega 6+2reb
gschID: 1181451
Zamora – Fuenlabrada 71-73
There was no surprise when 9th ranked Zamora (11-18) was edged at home by third ranked Fuenlabrada (24-5) 73-71 on Saturday. Italian-American guard Paul Jorgensen (188-1996, college: Butler) nailed 21 points for the winning side and Nigerian-American power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (205-1993, college: Longwood) accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds. Lithuanian center Jonas Paukste (224-2000) came up with 16 points and 7 rebounds and American-Jamaican guard Jahvaughn Powell (183-1996, college: Nicholls, agency: Helping Ballers) added 9 points and 5 assists respectively for Zamora in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Fuenlabrada. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Estudiantes. Newly promoted Zamora dropped to the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Alicante and Oviedo. Fuenlabrada’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Madrid Estudiantes.
Top scorers:
Zamora: J.Paukste 16+7reb+1ast, J.Powell 9+2reb+5ast, J.Round 9+4reb, J.Walker 8+2reb+2ast, K.Buckingham 6+2ast, O.Hanzlik 6+1reb
Fuenlabrada: P.Jorgensen 21+2reb+2ast, L.Nwogbo 12+5reb, T.Munnings 11+3reb, L.Westermann 8+2reb+3ast, E.Duran 6+2reb+1ast, O.Matulionis 5+1reb
gschID: 1181452
