Primera FEB Round 29 (Regular Season): #1 Coruna is defeated by Obradoiro

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Coruna (25-3) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Monbus Obradoiro (24-3) 92-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Coruna. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 29 personal fouls committed by Coruna helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. French guard Leo Westermann (198-1992, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) stepped up and scored 17 points and 5 assists for the winners and Portuguese guard Diogo Brito (198-1997, college: Utah St.) chipped in 17 points. American guard Joe Cremo (193-1996, college: Villanova) responded with 21 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Monbus Obradoiro have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. They maintain second place with 24-3 record behind leader Coruna. Coruna at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Obradoiro are looking forward to face Ourense (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Coruna will play against Fuenlabrada (#8) in Madrid and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Melilla managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against fourteenth-ranked Palma BM in Llucmajor 82-75. Danish guard Sebastian Aris Ceccardi (189-1995, agency: Helping Ballers) nailed 17 points and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winning side and Sergio Rodriguez accounted for 17 points. Ander Urdiain (203-2000, agency: BIG) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds for Palma BM in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Melilla (6-21) moved-up to sixteenth place. Palma BM at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Cartagena. Melilla will play against higher ranked Zamora (#10) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Palma BM will play against Gipuzkoa (#5) in San Sebastian and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Alicante was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Gipuzkoa (16-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Alicante (14-14). Gipuzkoa defeated Alicante 87-74 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Jalen Tate who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Kevin Larsen produced 17 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gipuzkoa moved-up to fifth place. Loser Alicante dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. Gipuzkoa will meet at home Palma BM (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Alicante will play against Cantabria (#12) in Torrelavega and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 29: Estudiantes destroyed Burgos T. on the opponent's court 96-76. Cartagena unfortunately lost to Menorca in a home game 79-83. Cantabria managed to beat Ourense on the road 72-67. Oviedo was defeated by Fuenlabrada on its own court 65-73. Palma Fibwi was beaten by Zamora in a road game 81-79.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 20 points and 6 assists by Brian Vazquez of Palma Fibwi.



Alicante - Gipuzkoa 74-87

The game in Alicante was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Gipuzkoa (16-11) played at the court of 8th ranked Alicante (14-14). Gipuzkoa defeated Alicante 87-74 on Saturday. Gipuzkoa dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Alicante's 30. They outrebounded Alicante 47-28 including a 38-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Jalen Tate (198-1998, college: Arkansas) who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Senegalese center Tanor Ngom (216-1998, college: FSU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). Danish center Kevin Larsen (208-1993, college: GWU) produced 17 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Jordan Bone (190-1997, college: Tennessee) added 12 points respectively for the hosts. Four Alicante players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gipuzkoa moved-up to fifth place. Loser Alicante dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. Gipuzkoa will meet at home Palma BM (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Alicante will play against Cantabria (#12) in Torrelavega and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gipuzkoa: T.Jalen 24+7reb+3ast, A.Manex 19+6reb+2ast, N.Tanor 16+13reb, T.McGhie 9+3reb+2ast, M.Gaizka 7+1reb+2ast, H.Ondrej 5+2reb
Alicante: K.Larsen 17+8reb+1ast, J.Bone 12+3reb+2ast, E.Polanco 11+2reb+1ast, S.Hollanders 10+4reb+1ast, M.Cuevas 8+5ast, M.Unai 5+3reb+1ast

Palma BM - Melilla 75-82

Bottom-ranked Melilla managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against fourteenth-ranked Palma BM in Llucmajor 82-75. Melilla made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Danish guard Sebastian Aris Ceccardi (189-1995, agency: Helping Ballers) nailed 17 points and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winning side and forward Sergio Rodriguez (204-1993) accounted for 17 points. Ander Urdiain (203-2000, agency: BIG) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds and naturalized Colombian point guard Hansel Atencia (178-1997, college: Master's) added 10 points and 6 assists respectively for Palma BM in the defeat. Five Palma BM players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Melilla (6-21) moved-up to sixteenth place. Palma BM at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Cartagena. Melilla will play against higher ranked Zamora (#10) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Palma BM will play against Gipuzkoa (#5) in San Sebastian and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Melilla: A.Sebastian 17+4reb+5ast, R.Sergio 17+4reb+1ast, D.Christian 10+4ast, G.Jeffrey 9+3reb+1ast, H.Nathan 8+1reb+2ast, C.Pablo 6+4reb+3ast
Palma BM: A.Urdiain 15+5reb, D.Sanadze 13+1reb+2ast, A.Comendador 11+4reb+1ast, H.Atencia 10+2reb+6ast, A.Izaw-Bolavie 10+7reb, F.Joan 5+3reb+1ast

Burgos T. - Estudiantes 76-96

Very expected game when 16th ranked Burgos T. (6-22) was crushed at home by fourth ranked Estudiantes (17-10) 96-76 on Friday. Estudiantes made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Estudiantes had a 23-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Italian-Uruguayan guard Jayson Granger (191-1989) who scored 24 points and 4 assists. Nigerian-American power forward Lotanna Nwogbo (205-1993, college: Longwood) chipped in 15 points. Granger is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Czech forward Jan Zidek (206-1999, college: Chattanooga) produced 17 points and guard Arnau Parrado (204-2000) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Estudiantes maintains fourth place with 17-10 record. Loser Burgos T. dropped to the bottom. Estudiantes will meet at home Oviedo (#6) in the next round. Burgos T. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Estudiantes: G.Jayson 24+3reb+4ast, N.Lotanna 15+4reb+1ast, S.Sasu 13+1reb, G.Patricio 12+2reb, L.Hugo 7+2reb+1ast, M.Tanner 7+4reb+2ast
Burgos T.: J.Zidek 17+2reb, M.Nuga 14+2reb+2ast, A.Parrado 11+6reb+2ast, F.Terins 11+1reb+1ast, M.Jackson 8+1reb+2ast, C.Czerapowicz 4+4reb+2ast

Coruna - Obradoiro 84-92

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Coruna (25-3) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Monbus Obradoiro (24-3) 92-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Coruna. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 29 personal fouls committed by Coruna helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. French guard Leo Westermann (198-1992, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) stepped up and scored 17 points and 5 assists for the winners and Portuguese guard Diogo Brito (198-1997, college: Utah St.) chipped in 17 points. Five Monbus Obradoiro players scored in double figures. American guard Joe Cremo (193-1996, college: Villanova) responded with 21 points and Brazilian point guard Caio Pacheco (189-1999) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Monbus Obradoiro have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. They maintain second place with 24-3 record behind leader Coruna. Coruna at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Obradoiro are looking forward to face Ourense (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Coruna will play against Fuenlabrada (#8) in Madrid and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Obradoiro: B.Diogo 17, W.Leo 17+2reb+5ast, M.Travis 13+4reb, B.Yunio 11+1reb+1ast, B.Alex 10+4reb+3ast, D.Felipe 9+4reb
Coruna: J.Cremo 21+1reb+1ast, C.Pacheco 13+3reb+4ast, S.Barro 10+6reb, D.Jacobo 8+3reb, I.Diop 6+2reb+1ast, A.Thiam 6+6reb

Cartagena - Menorca 79-83

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Menorca (15-12) defeated on the road 15th ranked Cartagena (7-20) 83-79 on Saturday. Menorca made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Argentinian-Italian point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-1997) who scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. American guard Spencer Littleson (193-1998, college: Toledo) chipped in 22 points. American point guard Kobe Webster (183-1999, college: Nebraska) produced 21 points and Brazilian center Vitor Faverani (212-1988) added 12 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Five Cartagena players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Menorca maintains seventh place with 15-12 record. Cartagena lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Palma BM. Menorca will meet at home higher ranked Palencia (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cartagena will play against Palma Fibwi (#13) in S'Arenal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Menorca: L.Spencer 22+2reb+1ast, Z.Fernando 19+7reb+8ast, V.Edgar 9+5reb+2ast, A.Victor 8+3reb+3ast, L.Jaume 8+2ast, G.Nico 7+2reb
Cartagena: K.Webster 21+2reb+3ast, A.Martin 17+1reb+2ast, V.Faverani 12+11reb+3ast, J.Lopez 11+1reb+4ast, D.Adria 10+7reb, S.Svejcar 6+2reb

Ourense - Cantabria 67-72

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 11th ranked Ourense (11-15) was defeated at home by twelfth ranked Cantabria (11-16) 72-67 on Saturday. Cantabria made 31-of-36 free shots (86.1 percent) during the game, while Ourense only scored twelve points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American guard Reginald Johnson (187-1994, college: Hampton, agency: Helping Ballers) who scored 16 points and 6 assists. Power forward Samuel Rodriguez (202-1997) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Four Cantabria players scored in double figures. Jamaican center Romaro Gill (221-1994, college: Seton Hall) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds and Portuguese point guard Rafael Lisboa (183-1999) added 18 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Cantabria maintains twelfth place with 11-16 record. Ourense lost their third game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Cantabria will meet at home higher ranked Alicante (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ourense will play against the league's second-placed Obradoiro and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Cantabria: J.Reginald 16+6ast, L.Miha 16+1reb, R.Samuel 13+7reb+1ast, J.Yu 10+8reb, H.Pablo 8+2ast, A.Diego 4+7reb+3ast
Ourense: R.Lisboa 18+4reb+3ast, R.Gill 11+15reb, K.Okanu 11+3reb, G.Kalscheur 7+1reb+1ast, A.Vrabac 7+4reb+3ast, I.Vazquez 5+4reb+3ast

Oviedo - Fuenlabrada 65-73

There was a surprise result when ninth ranked Fuenlabrada (14-13) beat on the road higher ranked Oviedo (16-12) 73-65 on Saturday. Fuenlabrada made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Brazilian Vitor Benite (194-1990) who scored 20 points. Argentinian-Italian guard Mateo Diaz (186-2002) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. American guard Gregory Parham (193-1999, college: USA) produced 24 points and American-Dominican guard Marques Townes (191-1995, college: Loyola, IL, agency: BIG) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Fuenlabrada moved-up to eighth place. Loser Oviedo dropped to the sixth position with 12 games lost. Fuenlabrada will meet at home league's leader Coruna in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oviedo will play against Estudiantes (#4) in Madrid and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fuenlabrada: B.Vitor 20+2reb+3ast, D.Mateo 16+6reb+3ast, M.Daniel 15+7reb, A.Prince 8+3reb, D.Brooks 8+1reb+1ast, L.Augusto 2+1reb+2ast
Oviedo: G.Parham 24+3reb+1ast, D.Duscak 11+5reb+1ast, M.Townes 9+8reb+3ast, A.Faure 8+3reb, R.Lobaco 7+2reb+5ast, A.Jorge 4+2reb

Zamora - Palma Fibwi 81-79

There was no surprise when 13th ranked Palma Fibwi (9-18) was edged on the road by tenth ranked Zamora (13-14) 81-79 on Saturday. Zamora made 27-of-30 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game, while Palma Fibwi only scored eleven points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was Dutch forward Joey van Zegeren (208-1990, college: Northwestern) who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Guard Toni Naspler (196-2003) chipped in 9 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. American-Puerto Rican guard Brian Vazquez (190-1994) produced 20 points and 6 assists and Cuban center Pedro Bombino (206-2000) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Zamora. They maintain tenth place with 13-14 record. Palma Fibwi lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 18 games lost. Zamora will meet Melilla (#16) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Palma Fibwi will play against Cartagena and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zamora: v.Joey 18+5reb, P.Josep 12+2reb+2ast, M.Alvaro 10+2reb, R.Tyrell 10+1reb+5ast, N.Toni 9+2reb+6ast, R.Colby 8+1ast
Palma Fibwi: B.Vazquez 20+4reb+6ast, O.Matulionis 17+1reb+1ast, P.Bombino 14+6reb+2ast, A.Scariolo 8+2reb+4ast, L.Bracey 6+2reb+1ast, J.Aramburu 5+1reb+2ast