It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in Serie A, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The biggest surprise of round 5 was guest Brescia‘s (4-1) road victory over 3rd placed Reggio Emilia (3-2) 80-68 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Reggio Emilia. 24 personal fouls committed by Reggio Emilia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Montenegrin guard Nikola Ivanovic (190-1994) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Jamar Smith (191-1987, college: S.Indiana, agency: Inception Sports) produced 20 points for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brescia moved-up to third place, which they share with Milano and Trieste. Reggio Emilia at the other side dropped to the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with Trapani. Brescia is looking forward to face Trapani (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Reggio Emilia will play against Pistoia and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Sassari. Leader Dolomiti Trentino (5-0) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 11th ranked Sassari (1-4) 84-81 on Sunday evening. Guest team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. American forward Anthony Lamb (198-1998, college: Vermont) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 7 rebounds. Jordan Ford contributed with 15 points for the winners. Dolomiti Trentino’s coach Paolo Galbiati allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Justin Bibbins (174-1996, college: Utah) answered with 20 points and 5 rebounds for Sassari. Undefeated Dolomiti Trentino have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Trento maintains first place with 5-0 record. Sassari at the other side keeps the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Trento will play against Milano (#5) at home in the next round. Sassari will play against Tortona (#6) to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game where Tortona (#8) won against host Trapani (#4) 84-78 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trapani. Arturs Strautins stepped up and scored 15 points for the winners. Chris Horton responded with 13 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tortona (3-1) moved-up to sixth place. Newly promoted Trapani dropped to the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with Reggio Emilia. Tortona will meet at home Sassari (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trapani will play against Brescia (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Napoli was defeated by Milano in a road game 89-82. Treviso was beaten by Trieste at home 95-100. Pistoia lost to Varese on the opponent’s court 95-102. Venezia managed to outperform Scafati in a home game 75-69. Virtus managed to beat Cremona on the road 74-69.
The best stats of 5th round was 12 points and 7 rebounds by Achille Polonara of Virtus BO.
Sassari – Trento 81-84
Important game to mention about took place in Sassari. Leader Dolomiti Trentino (5-0) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 11th ranked Sassari (1-4) 84-81 on Sunday evening. Guest team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. American forward Anthony Lamb (198-1998, college: Vermont) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Jordan Ford (185-1998, college: SMC) contributed with 15 points for the winners. Dolomiti Trentino’s coach Paolo Galbiati allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Justin Bibbins (174-1996, college: Utah) answered with 20 points and 5 rebounds and Lithuanian forward Eimantas Bendzius (207-1990) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Sassari. Four Sassari players scored in double figures. Dolomiti Trentino have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Trento maintains first place with 5-0 record. Sassari at the other side keeps the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Trento will play against Milano (#5) at home in the next round. Sassari will play against Tortona (#6) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Sassari: J.Bibbins 20+5reb+2ast, A.Cappelletti 14+4reb+2ast, E.Bendzius 14+7reb+2ast, M.Halilovic 10+4reb+1ast, M.Sokolowski 9+1ast, N.Renfro 6
Trento: A.Lamb 18+7reb+1ast, J.Ford 15+2reb+2ast, M.Cale 11+2reb+2ast, Q.Ellis 8+1reb+3ast, S.Mawugbe 7+5reb+2ast, A.Pecchia 6+7reb
gschID: 1184041
Milano – Napoli 89-82
There was no surprise when bottom-ranked Napoli (0-5) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Armani Milano (4-1) 89-82 on Saturday. Milano looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American Armoni Brooks (191-1998, college: Houston) stepped up and scored 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and the former international Diego Flaccadori (195-1996) chipped in 11 points and 5 assists. Armani Milano’s coach Ettore Messina used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international power forward Leonardo Tote (211-1997) responded with 23 points and 8 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) scored 12 points and 6 assists. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Armani Milano. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with Trieste and Brescia. Napoli lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Milano will meet league’s leader Trento on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Napoli will play against Venezia (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Napoli: L.Tote 23+8reb, D.Dreznjak 14+2reb, Z.Copeland 12+2reb+6ast, D.Williams 10+1reb, S.Saccoccia 8+3reb, C.Manning Jr. 7+3reb+3ast
Milano: A.Brooks 20+8reb+1ast, N.Mirotic 13+3reb+2ast, D.Flaccadori 11+4reb+5ast, J.Nebo 9+3reb, G.Bortolani 9+1reb+1ast, G.Caruso 8+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1184042
Treviso – Trieste 95-100
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Trieste (4-1) defeated on the road 11th ranked Treviso (1-4) 100-95 on Saturday. Trieste shot 62.5 percent from the field. Trieste outrebounded Treviso 29-13 including a 22-11 advantage in defensive rebounds. American guard Colbey Ross (185-1998, college: Pepperdine) stepped up and scored 30 points and 6 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Markel Brown (193-1992, college: OK State) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Trieste’s coach Jamion Christian used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Lithuanian Osvaldas Olisevicius (200-1993) responded with 26 points and 7 assists and American guard DAngelo Harrison (193-1993, college: St.John’s) scored 16 points and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Trieste moved-up to third place, which they share with Milano and Brescia. Treviso lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Trieste will meet at home Varese (#14) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Treviso will play against the league’s second-placed Virtus in Bologna and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Treviso: O.Olisevicius 26+4reb+7ast, J.Alston 17+4reb, D.Harrison 16+3reb+6ast, B.Mascolo 14+2ast, J.Macura 9, K.Bowman 8+1reb+2ast
Trieste: C.Ross 30+3reb+6ast, M.Brown 18+6reb+1ast, J.Uthoff 13+4reb+3ast, J.Johnson 10+4reb+2ast, M.Ruzzier 9+2reb+4ast, J.Reyes 6+4reb
gschID: 1184043
Varese – Pistoia 102-95
There was an upset when higher ranked Pistoia (2-3) was defeated on the road by fifteenth ranked Openjobmetis Varese (1-4) 102-95 on Sunday. Varese made 27-of-32 free shots (84.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Pistoia turnovers. The former international Davide Alviti (201-1996) stepped up and scored 29 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners and American guard Jaylen Hands (191-1999, college: UCLA, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. American point guard Semaj Christon (190-1992, college: Xavier) responded with 16 points and 9 assists and the other American import swingman Maverick Rowan (201-1996, college: NC State) scored 20 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Openjobmetis Varese left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Pistoia keeps the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Venezia. Varese will meet higher ranked Trieste (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pistoia will play against Reggio Emilia (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Pistoia: M.Rowan 20+3reb+3ast, L.Brajkovic 18+6reb, S.Christon 16+3reb+9ast, K.Silins 16+6reb+2ast, L.Saccaggi 11+3ast, G.Della Rosa 9+1reb+4ast
Varese: D.Alviti 29+5reb, J.Hands 24+5reb+2ast, J.Harris 14+5reb+4ast, J.Gray 14+8reb+1ast, M.Librizzi 11+1reb+5ast, J.Johnson 6+2reb+3ast
gschID: 1184044
Trapani – Tortona 78-84
An interesting game where Tortona (#8) won against host Trapani (#4) 84-78 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trapani. Tortona made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Latvian Arturs Strautins (201-1998) stepped up and scored 15 points for the winners and American guard Christian Vital (188-1997, college: UConn) chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds. American Chris Horton (202-1994, college: Austin Peay, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) responded with 13 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Justin Robinson (187-1997, college: Virginia Tech) scored 15 points and 5 assists. Four Trapani players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tortona (3-1) moved-up to sixth place. Newly promoted Trapani dropped to the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with Reggio Emilia. Tortona will meet at home Sassari (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trapani will play against Brescia (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Trapani: J.Robinson 15+1reb+5ast, J.Petrucelli 14+2reb+1ast, C.Horton 13+8reb+2ast, A.Alibegovic 10+3reb+1ast, A.Yeboah 9+5reb+3ast, L.Galloway 7
Tortona: A.Strautins 15+4reb+3ast, C.Vital 13+6reb+3ast, P.Biligha 11+2reb+1ast, K.Weems 9+2reb+1ast, T.Baldasso 9+3reb+1ast, J.Gorham 8+9reb+3ast
gschID: 1184045
Venezia – Scafati 75-69
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Umana Venezia and 10th ranked Scafati had identical 1-3 record. This time Umana Venezia used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Scafati 75-69 on Sunday night. Venezia outrebounded Scafati 43-32 including 28 on the defensive glass. Canadian power forward Mfiondu Kabengele (207-1997, college: FSU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 20 rebounds for the winners and Canadian power forward Kyle Wiltjer (207-1992, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 18 points. The former international guard Andrea Cinciarini (191-1986, agency: SLN) responded with 17 points and 4 assists and American guard Rob Gray (186-1994, college: Houston) scored 19 points. Four Scafati players scored in double figures. Venezia (2-3) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Pistoia. Scafati lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Venezia will meet bottom-ranked Napoli (#16) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Scafati will play against Cremona (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Scafati: R.Gray 19+2reb, A.Cinciarini 17+4reb+4ast, E.Stewart 14+5reb, K.Pinkins 10+10reb, P.Sorokas 5+3reb+3ast, V.Hruban 2
Venezia: K.Wiltjer 18+4reb+1ast, M.Kabengele 13+20reb, R.McGruder 10+1reb, D.Casarin 8+4reb+5ast, A.Simms 7+1reb, J.Fernandez 7+1reb
gschID: 1184046
Reggio Emilia – Brescia 68-80
The biggest surprise of round 5 was guest Brescia‘s (4-1) road victory over 3rd placed Reggio Emilia (3-2) 80-68 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Reggio Emilia. 24 personal fouls committed by Reggio Emilia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Montenegrin guard Nikola Ivanovic (190-1994) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. Four Brescia players scored in double figures. American guard Jamar Smith (191-1987, college: S.Indiana, agency: Inception Sports) produced 20 points and Senegalese center Mouhamed Faye (206-2005) added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brescia moved-up to third place, which they share with Milano and Trieste. Reggio Emilia at the other side dropped to the seventh position with two games lost. They share it with Trapani. Brescia is looking forward to face Trapani (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Reggio Emilia will play against Pistoia and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Reggio Emilia: J.Smith 20+1reb+2ast, J.Barford 9+2reb, M.Faye 8+7reb, C.Winston 7+1ast, L.Uglietti 6+3reb+2ast, K.Cheatham Jr. 5+1reb
Brescia: M.Bilan 20+13reb+7ast, N.Ivanovic 20+7reb+2ast, A.Della Valle 13+1reb+3ast, J.Burnell 11+4reb+1ast, D.Cournooh 6+1reb+1ast, C.Dowe 5+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1184047
Cremona – Virtus BO 69-74
Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Cremona (1-4) was defeated at home by leader Virtus Bologna (4-0) 74-69 on Saturday. Virtus made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. International Achille Polonara (205-1991) stepped up and scored 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) chipped in 10 points and 5 assists. Virtus Bologna’s coach Luca Banchi used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American Trevor Lacey (191-1991, college: NC State) responded with 12 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Tajion Jones (194-1999, college: UNC Asheville) scored 20 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Virtus Bologna. They maintain second place with 4-0 record behind leader Trento. Loser Cremona dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Virtus will meet at home Treviso (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Cremona will play against Scafati and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cremona: T.Jones 20, C.Davis 15+3ast, T.Lacey 12+6reb+2ast, S.Nikolic 9+7reb+1ast, P.Booth 6+1reb+1ast, P.Eboua 3+1reb+1ast
Virtus BO: I.Cordinier 13+2reb+1ast, A.Polonara 12+7reb, W.Clyburn 10+3reb+5ast, M.Morgan 9+6reb+2ast, M.Diouf 9+5reb+1ast, M.Belinelli 8+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1184048
