Tijuana Zonkeys Continue Near The Top After Weekend Series Against Navolato
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Zonkeys wrapped up a six-game homestand at the Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana this past weekend with a two-game set against Garra Canera de Navolato. Playing the team from Sinaloa was going to be a tough task for the border city side, and it did prove to be that way.
The series was split as Tijuana took a victory in the first game of the series on Friday, but fell in the second game on Saturday. The first game ended 87-79 in Los Burro-Zebras’ favor as Marvell Waithe and Mychal Ammons led the team to a win.
Waithe had one of his best games of the CIBACOPA season as he led Tijuana in points with 25, rebounds with 11, and assists with six. Ammons was not far behind with 21 points and also had a solid defensive performance with a couple of steals under his belt.
San Diego native Karim Rodriguez had a solid game with 15 points, while former Hilltop High School student Carlos Perez netted himself nine points. For the visitors, Marco Samarco was one of the standouts with 24 points, and team captain Kevin Rogers was also impressive with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
In the second game of the series, Samarco and Rogers were key figures again as Garra Canera took an 85-80 win against the Striped Donkeys. Samarco led the team from Sinaloa in points with 26, and Rogers had another double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Marvell Waithe was again the top scorer for the border city side, this time with 21 points, and no other player scored more than 15 points other than the Canadian forward. Karim Rodriguez scored just nine points, and Carlos Perez was not much better with just 10 points of his own.
The duo from San Diego was a combined 1-for-7 from long range and that was a problem for James Penny’s entire squad. The Zonkeys were just 10-for-27 from the three-point mark and that ultimately played a vital role in Tijuana’s loss.
After this series, Los Burro-Zebras are at a 9-4 record with 22 points, just two points behind Ostioneros de Guaymas in first place. Garra Canera de Navolato finish with the exact same record as Tijuana, showcasing the competitiveness of the CIBACOPA.
James Penny’s side now goes on the road for a brief two-game series against Caballeros de Culiacan before coming back to Tijuana for four games.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.