Spain – LEB Gold Round 4: Ourense hands first loss to Gipuzkoa

NemanjaMitrovic This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in LEB Gold and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team, favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory.The most surprising game was the first loss of Gipuzkoa (3-1) in San Sebastian on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by eleventh ranked Ourense (2-2) 70-65. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gipuzkoa. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 23-15. But Gipuzkoa won second period 16-10. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Canadian-Bosnian guard Nemanja Mitrovic (197-90, college: Portland, agency: Court Side) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 8 rebounds. Naturalized Russia power forward Dmitriy Flis (204-84) contributed with 14 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Lithuania center Tautvydas Slezas (207-90, agency: Interperformances) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds for Gipuzkoa. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Ourense moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 6 other teams. Gipuzkoa at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Ourense is looking forward to face Melilla Baloncesto (#15) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Gipuzkoa will play against Cocinas.com (#17) in Logrono and is hoping to win this game. Important game to mention about took place in Lugo. Top-ranked Leche Rio Breogan (4-0) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Palencia Baloncesto (2-2) 89-87 on Tuesday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigeria-American forward Michael Fakuade (201-89, college: Ill.-Springfield) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and Ivan Cruz Uceda who added 21 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Venezuela guard Jhornan Zamora (196-89) responded with 23 points. Palencia Baloncesto’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Leche Rio Breogan have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Forca Lleida. Palencia Baloncesto at the other side dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with 6 other teams. Leche Rio Breogan will play against league’s second-placed Lleida Basquet on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Palencia Baloncesto will play against Oviedo CB (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Barca II’s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Melilla Baloncesto (1-3) on the road game in Melilla 80-64 on Tuesday. The winners were led by Aleix Font who scored that evening 24 points and 6 rebounds. Barca II’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 13 points and 5 rebounds by Pablo Almazan did not help to save the game for Melilla Baloncesto. Barca II left bottom position moving up to fourteenth place, which they share with Melilla. Barca II will meet at home higher ranked Leyma Basquet (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Melilla Baloncesto will play against Ourense (#9) and hope to win that game. Bottom-ranked Cocinas.com is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to thirteenth ranked Castello (2-2) 83-76. Borja Arevalo fired 7 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Castello moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 6 other teams. Cocinas.com at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Castello’s next round opponent will be Burgos (#10) on the road. Cocinas.com will play against Gipuzkoa (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked Caceres Basket is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to seventh ranked Oviedo CB (3-1) 88-78 on Tuesday evening. It was a very good performance for Daniel Perez who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 9 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Oviedo CB moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Caceres Basket still closes the standings with four games lost. Oviedo CB will face Palencia Baloncesto (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Caceres Basket will play against CB Prat (#6) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Palma beat Marin on the road 78-65. Coruna won against Araberri on its own court 79-65. Burgos managed to outperform Prat in a road game 73-65. Forca Lleida rolled over Huesca at home 78-59. The most impressive performance of 4th round was 20 points by Jason Cain of Marin.Marin – Palma 65-78There was a surprise result when fourteenth ranked Palma (2-2) beat on the road higher ranked Marin (2-2) 78-65 on Tuesday. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 78-65. Palma made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Marin was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a very good performance for power forward Roger Fornas (202-82) who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 9 rebounds. Point guard Carles Bivia (189-85) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Four Palma players scored in double figures. American forward Jason Cain (208-85, college: Virginia, agency: Stealth Sport) replied with 20 points (made all of his eight free throws) and power forward Javier Mugica (200-83) added 12 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Marin. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Palma moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 6 other teams including defeated Marin. Palma will face bottom-ranked Magia Huesca (#18) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Top scorers:Palma: C.Bivia 19+3reb+1ast, R.Fornas 14+9reb+1ast, A.Zengotitabengoa 14+3reb, A.Frutos 10+2reb, J.Medori 8+4reb+1ast, M.Uriz 4+2reb+4astMarin: J.Cain 20+3reb+2ast, T.Derksen 12+6reb, J.Mugica 12+10reb+2ast, M.Ferreiro 6+1reb+1ast, J.Simeon 5+2ast, J.De Ciman 4gschID: 488925Coruna – Araberri 79-65Everything could happen in Coruna at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Leyma Basquet and 6th ranked Araberri had identical 2-1 record. This time Leyma Basquet used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Vitoria-Gasteiz 79-65 on Tuesday night. The game was mostly controlled by Leyma Basquet. Araberri was better in second period 20-17. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a …

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