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Friday, December 27, 2019

Mano--Binakako Txapleketa/Campeonato Parejas 1a and Promotion Competition--Week 2 (November 29-December 1, 2019)

Campeonato Parejas (Binakako Txapelketa) 1a and Promotion (November 22, 2019--April 5, 2020)

This is the premier professional Mano pairs Championship competition. There are 8 teams. It starts with a double round robin league. The format then changes from previous years. The top two teams go to a Semi-final League. There is a playoff" #3 v #6 and #4 v #5 to determine the other two teams in the Semi-final League (6 post league teams rather than 4). The SF League is a single round robin. The top two SF League finishers play in a Final on April 5, 2020. There is no 3rd place match this year.

ASPE player roster
Baikopilota player roster

The teams (4 from each company A=ASPE; B=Baikopilota

A
Ezkudia-Martija
Altuna III-L. Galarza
Irribarria-Rezusta
Jaka-Zabaleta

B
Oliazola II-Urrutikoetxea
Bengoetxea VI-Marriezkurena
Artola-Imaz
Laso-Albisu

This year sees 3 interesting and perhaps controversial changes, 1 involving format, and 2 involving players.

MY ARTICLE: EXPANDING THE PLAYOFFS AND THE CURIOUS DECISION BY ASPE TO DROP LAST YEAR'S CHAMPION DELANTERO (FRONT), DANEL ELEZKANO, FROM THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION.

Complete Calendar (with complete results back to 2001 (baikopilota.eus)
Selected finalists going back to 1941 (Wikipedia)
Competition preview (baikopilota.eus)
Video highlights week by week (EITB)

Note that the results, statistics, match articles (when available), links to full match videos, and selected analysis for the BT/CP Promotion competition can be found below that for the 1a competition.

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Note that the matches are in reverse order as they were originally entered into the current results (right side of the blog) in reverse chronological order in order to have the most current results at the top. If you wish to follow this championship in chronological order, please read them from the bottom up. 

The letters next to the players' names denote the company they play for (see above).

Source for all linescores and scoring, unless otherwise specifically stated, is the EITB telecast.

Time per point (see below) is calculated from the total time of the match. I can find no source that consistently keeps track of actual playing time for this competition.

I am experimenting with counting "saves," a variable that perhaps gives a bit of insight into the defensive side of BP sports. I define a save as an excellent play that keeps the point alive. It is, obviously, a subjective judgment, and yours may be different from mine. Saves include going on the apron (running or diving), going into the left wall, backs running far into the front court, fronts covering the back, direct off the front wall returns of very high shots, and backs going behind the 10 line, among others. As a subjective  experiment in judgment, I hope to get those with much more knowledge than I interested in keeping the statistic. A save is like art. It may be difficult to define, but one "knows it when one sees it." I will also provide the number of saves as a percentage of the total balls in play.

For each week's results the weekly table, information about each match, and "leader boards" will be provided, in that order.

========================================

Week 1; Week 2; Week 3; Week 4; Week 5; Week 6; Week 7

Week 8Week 9; Week 10; Week 11; Week 12; Week 13: Week 14

Post-Season
1A Semi-Final League W 2 and Promotion W 3
1A Semi-Final League W 3
Promotion FINAL
1A FINAL

========================================

League Table at the end of Week 2 (Match record, Net Points + or -; Consecutive Wins/Losses (under construction), Change in Table (green +red -)

Jaka-Zabaleta(A)                   (2-0;+22) +2
Artola-Imaz(B)                     (2-0;+13) +2 (+1)
Ezkurdia-Martija(A)                (1-1; +4) -1 (-1)
Bengoetxea VI-Marriezkurrena II(B) (1-1;  0) +1 (+1)
Oliazola II-Urrutikoetxea(B)       (1-1; -8) -1 (-1)
Irribarria-Rezusta(A)              (1-1;-16) +1 (+2)
Laso-Albisu(B)                     (0-2; -5) -2 (-1)
Altuna III-L. Galarza(A)           (0-2;-10) -2 (-1)

Week 2 Statistical Summary

4 matches for all except balls in play and saves, which are for 3 matches (the ones televised by EITB).  NOTE: THIS IS A TEMPLATE FROM Week 1. Week 2 informaton is forthcoming (March 19, 2020)

Total cumulative match score +70 (.470) -79(.530)
Total cumulative balls in play: 2645 (Avg.=661)
Non-error %: (BIP - errors)/BIP: .970
Saves: 122 (Avg. 41)
Save % (Saves/BIP for 3 matches [1901]): .064
Total cumulative time of matches: 295:12 (4 hours, 55 minutes 12 seconds)
Average time: 75 minutes
Average balls per point: 17.75


Average time per point: 1:59

Week 2 

December 1

Polideportivo de Juventad, Soria (1) (2

Artola-Imaz (B) 22 Oliazola II-Urrutikoetxea (B) 13 (EITB--match begins at 1:08:50)

Judges: Daniel Rey and Jesus Marie Estebas

Highlights (EITB) 


Condensed linescore (Deia) (winners always listed 1st)

3-0, 3-3, 5-3, 5-4, 6-4, 6-6, 8-6, 8-8, 8-11, 11-11, 12-11, 12-12, 21-12, 21-13 22-13

Scoring (EITB and Deia)

Artola +11(including 2 service aces) -4; Imaz +2 -0
Oliazola II +7 -1(including 1 service fault); Urrutikoetxea +2 -8

Total Scoring for the match: +22 (.629) -13 (.371)

Cumulative scoring (7 matches): +164 (.594) -112 (.406)

Non-error %: .967

Balls in play: 584: Artola 163; Imaz 133; Oliazola II 115; Urrutikoetxea 173

Saves: 42:  (42/584=.072)
Artola 13; Imaz 3; Oliazola II 11; Urrutikoetxea 15

Time of the Match: 66:50
Balls per point: 16.7
Time per point: 1:40

Match article (Deia)
Match article (Mundo Deportivo)

For the 2nd week in a row, A-I used big late run to turn a very competitive match into an easy victory. At 12-12, they put together a 9-0 run to win. Last week they scored the last 7 points of the match to turn a 15-18 deficit into a win. Urrutikoetxea had an up and down day, with 8 errors and 15 saves.

Interestingly, the first coin toss landed on its side (1:09:12--1:09:26--action slow motion replay at 1:09:59! on the video), just like the famous coin toss in the Twilight Zone, where Hector B. Poole drops a coin into a box to pay for a newspaper. The coin lands on its side and then the fun begins. Unfortunately, in this case, Imaz stepped on the coin immediately and then there was a re-toss. Everything looked normal after that :) Imaz played immaculate defense and now has committed one error in two matches.

+++++

November 30

Remontivar, Estella (1?) (2)

Bengoetxea VI-Aretxabaleta (substituting for Mariezkurrena II) (B) 22
Laso-Albisu (B) 21 (no full match video available)

Highlights (EITB) (highlights for this match begin at 0:54)

Selected linescore (Noticias de Gipuzkoa) (winners always listed 1st
0-1; 1-1; 4-1; 4-3; 10-3; 10-9; 11-10; 16-10; 16-12; 17-12; 17-13; 19-13; 21-14; (Laso 4 winners, Albisu winner, Bengoetxea VI and Aretxabalaeta errors) 21-21; (Albisu error) 22-21.

Scoring: (Noticias de Gipuzkoa)

Bengoetxea VI +6(including 1 service ace) -2; Aretxabaleta +0 -5
Laso +11(2a) -7 Albisu +3 -9

Total scoring for the match: +20 (.465)  -23 (.535)

Balls in play: No information in the match article.

Time of the match: 67 minutes
Average time per point: 1:33


Match article (Noticias de Gipuzkoa) (added March 19, 2020)

B-A have now opened their season with two 43 point matches, splitting them. Both ended with an error, this one an excruciating one by Albisu after his team had roared back from a 21-14 deficit, with a little help from 2 B-A errors. The match was not particularly well played, with 23 of the 43 points coming via errors. B-A were gifted 16 of their 22 points. In spite of that, it would be difficult to top this match for excitement, and it is unfortunate that there is no video. 

+++++

November 30

Astelena, Eibar (1) (2). Astelena opened in 1904.

Irribarria-Rezusta (A) 22 Ezkurdia-Martija (A) 21 (EITB--match begins at 52:15)


Highlights (EITB) (highlights for this match begin at 0:00)

Judges: Koldo Cunado and Ibon Ayesta

Condensed linescore:  (winners always listed 1st)

3-0; 3-4; 6-4; 6-6; (51 balls in play, 8 saves; 1:09:43-1:12:05) 7-6; 9-6; 9-8; 10-8; 10-10; 11-10; (7 Ezkurdia winners) 11-18; 15-18; 15-19; 17-19; 17-20; 19-20; 19-21; 22-21

6 equal scores, 4 lead changes

Scoring: 

Irribarria +14(including 1 service ace and 7 "airez"); -2 ; Rezusta +6 -3
Ezkurdia +14 (2a, 3 two walls; and 5 "airez") -1; Martija +2 -1

Total Scoring for the Match: +36 (.837) -7 (.163)

Cumulative scoring: (6) matches: +142 (.589) -99  (.411)

Balls in Play: 559: 
Irribarria 155; Rezusta 125; Ezkurdia 148; Martija 131

Non error %: .987

Saves: 47 (47/559=.084)
Irribarria 14; Rezusta 4; Ezkurdia 21; Martija 8

Time of the Match: 68:25
Average balls per point: 13
Average time per point: 1:35

Match article (Mundo Deportivo)

This was the best quality match I have seen so far in the tournament, with only 7 errors and 47 saves. Both Irribarria and Ezkurdia put on an awesome offensive display. Ezkurdia's defense "held" Irribarria to +14. Irribarria's "held" Ezkurdia to the same amount. The match was very even until the 2nd half, when an 10-1 (including 8 points in a row) run featuring 3 beautiful Ezkurdia two wall winners, put E-M in command. Seemingly down and out, I-R roared back with a 10-3 run of their own, which ended with the last 3 points of the match to overcome a 19-21 deficit. Irribarria featured in this run with, by my count, 7 winners. The defense on both sides was magnificent, with Rezusta erasing the memory of a poor match last week. He was all over the court, and aided the cause with 6 winners, a very high number for a back man in this modality. A large and raucous crowd enjoyed every minute. Ezkurdia's defense has been very impressive so far. Martija went off for treatment after the E-M had achieved their biggest (18-11) lead. When he came back, I-R seemed to "go after" him, with Irribarria "steam shoveling" several high and deep "Meet Irribarria--see the Basque Country" shots to the back wall of the relatively small Astalena concha. Martija handled most of them, but they kept Ezkurdia out of the action, and some of them, because of the distance, set up later Irribarria winners. The best point of the match, in my opinion, is referenced in the linescore above. Those 2 minutes and 22 seconds were some of the best Mano I have seen. 

+++++

November 29

Larrunarri, Amezketa (1) (2

Jaka-Zabaleta (A) 22 Altuna III-L. Galarza 17 (EITB--match begins at 1:06:32) 

Full match video (Fronton TV Youtube, Castilian)

Highlights (EITB)

Judges: Joseba Rekalde and Garikoitz Agirrezabal

Condensed linescore: 

(4 Jaka winners) 5-0; 5-3; 6-3; 6-6; 7-6; 7-10; 9-10; 9-11; 11-11; 11-13; 13-13; 13-14 (2 Jaka winners followed by 3 L. Galarza errors); 18-14; 18-15; 20-15; 20-17; 22-17

5 equal scores and 2 lead changes. 

Scoring: 

Jaka +11 (including 10 "airez") -1 ; Zabaleta +1 -2
Altuna III +13 (5 "airez") -3; L. Galarza +1 -7

Total scoring for the match: +26 (.667) -13 (.333)

Cumulative scoring (5) matches: +96 (.511) -92 (.489)

Balls in Play: 685:
Jaka 178; Zabaleta 167; Altuna III 174; L. Galarza 166

Non-Error %: .981

Saves: 63:  (63/685=.091)
Jaka 22 ; Zabaleta 11; Altuna III 23; L. Galarza 7

Time of the match: 77:40

Number of balls per point: 17.56
Time per point: 1:59

Match article (Deia)

After Jaka got off to a great start in providing J-Z with a 5-0 opening run, A-G answered with a 10-2 run. The match hung in the balance at 13-13. But another 5-0 run by the winners, punctuated by 3 consecutive L. Galarza errors, was decisive. Jaka and Altuna III both played excellent defense, with Altuna III covering massive amounts of ground throughout, including going into the back court on two occasions to keep points alive. Zabaleta was also effective on defense, showing his quickness in running in and saving points near the front wall on more than one occasion. 

Leader Board through Round 2 (8 matches)

For all below, the number of matches indicates matches data is available for, not necessarily the number of matches played.

*=Substitute

Scoring:

Delanteros (fronts) (ranked by average net score)

Jaka(A) +20 -3 (+17)(2 matches)
Average:+10 -2        (+8)

Ezkurdia(A) +21 -5 (+16) (2 matches)
Average:+11 -3        (+8)
Altuna III(A) +24 -11 (+13) (2 matches)
Average:+12 -5        (+7)
Artola(B) +18 -8 (+10) (2 matches)
Average: +9 -4        (+5)
Laso(B) +12 -7        (+5)(1 match)
Irribarria(A) +15 -7 (+8) (2 matches)
Average: +7 -3        (+4)
Oliazola II(B) +13 -5 (+8) (2 matches)
Average: +7 -3        (+4)
Bengoetxea VI(B)+9 -9  (0)(1 match)

Zagueros (backs) (ranked by errors)

Imaz(B)          +3  -1   (+2) (2 matches)

Martija(A)       +3  -3    (0) (2 matches)
Zabaleta (A)            +1  -4   (-3) (2 matches)
Aretxabaleta*(B) +2  -4   (-2)   (1 match)
Albisu(B)                 +1  -7   (-6)   (1 match)
Rezusta(A)                +-11   (-5) (2 matches)
L. Galarza(A)       +1 -13  (-12) (2 matches)
Urrutikoetxea(B)  +5 -14   (-9) (2 matches)

Saves: 6 matches only.

N.A=not available

Delanteros (fronts) (ranked by average)

Oliazaola II(B) 44 (2 matches)
Average:         22

Ezkurdia
(A) 42      (2 matches)

Average:         21
Altuna III(A) 33    (2 matches)
Average:         17
Artola(B)        13   (1 match)
Jaka(A)  24         (2 matches)
Average:         12
Bengoetxea VI(B) 11 (1 match)
Irribarria(A) 16    (2 matches)
Average:          8
Laso(B)         N.A. 

Zagueros (backs)

Urrutikoetxea(B) 24 (2 matches)
Average:         12

*Artexabaleta(A) 12   (1 match)
L. Galarza(A) 14    (2 matches)
Average:          7
Zabaleta(A) 11      (2 matches)
Average:                    5
Martija(A)  9       (2 matches)
Average:          5
Rezusta(A)  6       (2 matches)
Average:          3
Imaz(B)           3 (1 match)
Albisu(B)       N.A.

=================================
=================================

Campeonato Parejas Promocion (November 22, 2019--March 28, 2020)

This is the Premier Promotion Professional Mano Championship. There are 8 teams. It begins with a double round robin league. The top 4 teams move on to a single round robin Semi-final League. The top 2 finishers play a Final on March 28, 2020.

Complete Calendar (with complete results back to 2002 (baikopilota.eus)
Competition preview (baikopilota.eus)

The teams (4 from each company: A=ASPE; B=Baikopilota

A
Egiguren V-Erostarbe
Salaberria-Garmendia
Elordi-O. Etxebarria
Zabala-Ruiz

B
Pena II-Aranguren
Alberdi-Salaverri
Agirre-Eskiroz
Arteaga II-Urretabizkaia II

League Table at the end of Week 2 (Match record, Net Points + or -; Consecutive Wins/Losses (under construction), Change in Table (green +red -)

Agirre-Eskiroz(B)           (2-0;+16) +2 (+1)
Elordi-O. Etxeberria(A)     (2-0;+16) +2
Egiguren V-Erostarbe(A)     (1-1; +3) -1 (-2)
Pena II-Arenguren(B)        (1-1;  0) -1
Salaberria-Garmendia(A)     (1-1; -5) +1
Arteaga II-Urretabizkaia(B) (1-1; +3) -1
Zabala-Ruiz (A)             (0-2;-14) -2
Alberdi-Salaverri(B)        (0-2;-19) -2


Week 2

November 30 (3 matches) (note: I have been unable to find any information except scores for the two matches played at Fuenmayor).

Fuenmayor Municipal (1) (2)

Arteaga-Erasun (substituting for Urretabizkaia II) (B) 22
Alberdi-Saliverry (B) 10

Salaberria-Garmendia 22 (A) Zabala-Ruiz (A) 19

Source for both scores: ASPE

Astelena, Eibar (1(2). Astelena opened in 1904.

Agirre-Ezkiroz (B) 22 Pena II-Aranguren (B) 15 (EITB--match begins at 2:06:57)

Judges: Koldo Cunado and Ibon Ayesta

Scoring:

Agirre +12(including 2 service aces and 5 "airez") -6; Ezkiroz +1 -1
Pena II; +7(1a; 4 "airez")  -6; Aranguren +1 -3

Total scoring for the match: +21 (.568) -16 (.432)

Cumulative scoring for 5 matches:

+94 (5 matches) -69 (4 matches): Average: +19 (.528) -17 (.472) 

Balls in Play: 576
Agirre 127; Eskiroz 164; Pena II 119; Aranguren 166

Non-error %: .972

Time of the Match: 61:51
Average balls per point: 15.57
Average time per point: 1:40

November 29

Larruzkarre, Amezketa (1) (2

Elordi-O. Etxeberria (A) 22 Egiguren V-Erostarbe (A) 17 (EITB--match begins at 0:00

Judges: Joseba Rekalde and Garikoitz Agirrezabal

Partial Scoring:

Elordi +9 -? ; O. Etxeberria ? ? 
Egiguren V +11 -?; Erostarbe ? ?

Cumulative Scoring for 4 matches

+73 (4 matches) -53 (3 matches): Average: +18 (.500) -18 (.500)

Balls in Play: 753
Elordi 188; O. Etxeberria 191; Egiguren V 169; Erostarbe 205

Time of the Match: 74:12
Average Balls per Point: 19.31
Average Time per Point: 1:54


+++++

Leader Board:  Through Round 2 (8 matches)

Scoring:

Delanteros (fronts) (ranked by net score)

Egiguren V(A) +23 (2 matches) -4 (1 match)(+19)

Average:+11 -4     (+7)

Elordi(A) +17 (2 matches) -3 (1 match) (+14)

Average:+9 -3      (+6)
Agirre(B) +23 -12 (+11)     (2 matches)

Average:+11 -6     (+5)
Dario*(A) +7 -3    (+4)       (1 match)
Pena II(B)+7 -6    (+1)       (1 match)
Arteaga II(B) +2 -2 (0)       (1 match)
Salaberria(A) +5 -7(-2)       (1 match)
Alberdi(B)         N.A.

Zagueros (back) (ranked by errors)


O. Etxeberria(A) +1  -0 (+1) (1 match)

Garmendia(A)     +1  -2 (-1) (1 match)
Arenguren (B)    +1  -3 (-2) (1 match)
Eskiroz(B)       +4  -4  (0) (2 matches)
Erostarbe(A)     +1  -4 (-3) (1 match)
Urretabizkaia(B) +2  -6 (-4) (1 match)
Ruiz (A)         +0 -10 (-10)(1 match)
Erasun*(B)          N.A.