LDC Round 9: Titans fight for playoff birth

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Santiago Max (2-9) used its home court advantage to challenge third ranked Moca Superior (8-1) on Friday. The visitors managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a good game for guard Derekjeter Mejia (182-2001) who led his team to a victory with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Luiyi Rojas contributed with 20 points for the winners. Jhoan Pena (195-1994) replied with 20 points and 7 rebounds for Santiago Max. Moca Superior have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Santiago Max at the other side dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost. Moca Superior are looking forward to face league's leader Immortals in Santiago in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Santiago Max's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago Immortals.

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Santiago: Fenix (#6) and Santiago Basket (#7). Santiago Basket was defeated at home 81-87 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Marlon Jael Dominguez scored 24 points to lead the charge for the winners and Angel Nunez chipped in 24 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Amet Gil (191-1988) with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Despite that victory Fenix went down to seventh position due to points difference. Santiago Basket at the other side dropped to the sixth place with nine games lost. Fenix's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago CPN.

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Santiago: Immortals (#1) and Capitanes (#5). Immortals (9-2) smashed visiting Capitanes (3-5) by 28 points 104-76. Sterling Manley notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 blocks to lead the effort. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by Joan Santos did not help to save the game for Capitanes. Immortals have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-2 record. Loser Capitanes keep the fifth place with five games lost. Immortals' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Santiago to the arena Santiago Max.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: CPN was beaten by Mambas on the road 73-65. Mambas lost to Santiago Basket on its own court 66-82. Fenix unfortunately lost to Moca Superior in a road game 67-81.

The most impressive performance of 6th round was 10 points and 9 rebounds by Jose Espinal of Moca Superior.

Santiago Basket - Fenix 81-87

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Santiago: Fenix (#6) and Santiago Basket (#7). Santiago Basket was defeated at home 81-87 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Marlon Jael Dominguez scored 24 points to lead the charge for the winners and guard Angel Nunez (188, college: Lehman) chipped in 24 points during the contest. Four Fenix players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Amet Gil (191-1988) with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Jacob Martin (196, college: Northwestern) scored 17 points. Despite that victory Fenix went down to seventh position due to points difference. Santiago Basket at the other side dropped to the sixth place with nine games lost. Fenix's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago CPN.

Top scorers:

Fenix: A.Nunez 24+4reb+1ast, D.Marlon Jael 24+4reb+1ast, B.Yendi 14+4reb+1ast, G.Railyn 13+4reb+1ast, R.Brayan 8+4reb+1ast, M.Jordy 4+3reb+1ast

Santiago Basket: A.Gil 30+6reb+4ast, J.Martin 17+4reb+1ast, N.Manso 11+2reb+2ast, E.Stone 8+5reb, B.Hill 6+4reb+2ast, M.Gibraun 5+4reb+1ast

Immortals - Capitanes 104-76

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Santiago: Immortals (#1) and Capitanes (#5). Immortals (9-2) smashed visiting Capitanes (3-5) by 28 points 104-76. Immortals dominated down low during the game scoring 84 of its points in the paint compared to Capitanes' 46. They outrebounded Capitanes 55-29 including a 27-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. Immortals looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Capitanes' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Immortals made 9 blocks. American power forward Sterling Manley (213-1998, college: UNC) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 blocks to lead the effort and the other American import guard Khalil Small (190-1995, college: Green Bay) supported him with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Immortals players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by Joan Santos did not help to save the game for Capitanes. Guard Iriel Lopez (190-1989) added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Immortals have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-2 record. Loser Capitanes keep the fifth place with five games lost. Immortals' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Santiago to the arena Santiago Max.

Top scorers:

Immortals: K.Small 26+10reb+5ast, A.Jefry 22+4reb+7ast, S.Manley 19+20reb+5ast, T.Hall 16+8reb+2ast, M.Hall 9+5reb+3ast, A.Ricardo 8+4reb+2ast

Capitanes: S.Joan 24+6reb+1ast, I.Lopez 14+5reb+3ast, M.Gustavo 10+3reb, G.Francisco 8+3reb+2ast, A.Olvin 7+3reb+1ast, A.Yodael 5+3reb+1ast

Santiago Max - Moca Superior 75-77

Seventh-ranked Santiago Max (2-9) used its home court advantage to challenge third ranked Moca Superior (8-1) on Friday. The visitors managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a good game for guard Derekjeter Mejia (182-2001) who led his team to a victory with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Luiyi Rojas contributed with 20 points for the winners. Five Moca Superior players scored in double figures. Jhoan Pena (195-1994) replied with 20 points and 7 rebounds and Chris Figueroa added 15 points in the effort for Santiago Max. Moca Superior have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Santiago Max at the other side dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost. Moca Superior are looking forward to face league's leader Immortals in Santiago in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Santiago Max's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago Immortals.

Top scorers:

Moca Superior: R.Luiyi 20+4reb+2ast, D.Mejia 20+5reb+5ast, E.Jose 15+8reb+1ast, G.Jeremy 10+7reb+1ast, R.Kelvin 10+5reb+2ast, S.Malfy 2+2reb

Santiago Max: P.Jhoan 20+7reb+2ast, F.Chris 15+4reb+2ast, G.Cristian 10+2reb+1ast, N.Darbert 5+4reb+1ast, A.Carlos 5+2reb+1ast, L.Hernandez 5+3reb+1ast

Mambas - CPN 73-65

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Mambas (8-4) beat one of their biggest challengers CPN (5-3) in Santiago 73-65 on Friday. Victor Torres (189-1995) notched 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and Guatemalan forward Yormi Almonte (197-2002) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Mambas players scored in double figures. Mambas' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by power forward Leonacis Pena (201-2002) did not help to save the game for CPN. Guard Milosevic Rivera (193-1996) added 20 points and 6 rebounds. Despite that victory Mambas went down to third position due to points difference. CPN lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with three games lost. Mambas' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago Capitanes.

Top scorers:

Mambas: T.Victor 20+5reb+3ast, A.Yormi 15+6reb+2ast, J.Ventura 10+4reb+2ast, J.Ramos 10+4reb, V.Wilbert 10+4reb+2ast, V.Daniel 5+1reb+1ast

CPN: R.Milosevic 20+6reb+2ast, R.Sammy 20+4reb+2ast, P.Leonacis 20+8reb+4ast, T.Raul 5+2reb+1ast, R.Micky 0, J.Erick 0+1reb

Mambas - Santiago Basket 66-82

There was an upset when second-best Mambas (8-4) lost at home to seventh ranked Santiago Basket (3-9) 82-66 on Sunday. Amet Gil (191-1988) notched 27 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Brandon Hill (185-1987, college: Potomac St.) supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by Guatemalan forward Yormi Almonte (197-2002) did not help to save the game for Mambas. Victor Torres (189-1995) added 20 points and 5 rebounds. Mambas' coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Santiago Basket moved-up to sixth place. Loser Mambas dropped to the third position with four games lost. Santiago Basket's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago Santiago Max.

Top scorers:

Santiago Basket: A.Gil 27+5reb+3ast, B.Hill 20+7reb+4ast, N.Manso 11+3reb+1ast, J.Martin 9+3reb, M.Gibraun 6+3reb, S.Lopez 5+4reb+1ast

Mambas: T.Victor 20+5reb+1ast, A.Yormi 20+9reb+2ast, V.Randy 10+5reb+1ast, M.Gabriel 5+2reb+1ast, G.Steven 5+2reb+1ast, J.Ramos 3+2reb

Moca Superior - Fenix 81-67

Rather predictable result when third ranked Moca Superior (8-1) won against at home 6th ranked Fenix (2-7) 81-67 on Sunday. Moca Superior dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Fenix's 38. Guard Derekjeter Mejia (182-2001) notched 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Luiyi Rojas supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Even 20 points and 5 rebounds by Albertson Pimentel (185) did not help to save the game for Fenix. Brayan Rodriguez added 10 points. Four Moca Superior and five Fenix players scored in double figures. Moca Superior have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Fenix dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. Moca Superior will meet league's leader Immortals in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fenix's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Santiago CPN.

Top scorers:

Moca Superior: R.Luiyi 20+5reb+3ast, R.Kelvin 20+5reb+1ast, D.Mejia 20+5reb+5ast, E.Jose 10+9reb+2ast, R.Justin 5+2reb+1ast, R.Dawry 5+3reb+1ast

Fenix: P.Albertson 20+5reb+2ast, T.Hensy 10+3reb+1ast, O.Domingo 10+4reb, R.Brayan 10+4reb+1ast, A.Nunez 10+3reb, S.Javier 5+2reb