Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Fifth defeat of league’s leader Trapani (13-5) against second ranked Dolomiti Trentino (14-4) 83-80 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trapani. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Trapani helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Jordan Ford (185-1998, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 4 assists. The former international swingman Saliou Niang (200-2004) contributed with 9 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American guard Justin Robinson (187-1997, college: Virginia Tech) replied with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for Trapani. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dolomiti Trentino have a solid three-game winning streak. Trento keeps a position of league leader. Newly promoted Trapani dropped to the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Brescia and Virtus. They were replaced at the leadership position by Trento. Trapani will play next round against Cremona trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Trento will try to continue on its current victory against twelfth ranked Varese on the road.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Brescia (13-5) against fifteenth ranked Napoli (5-13) on Sunday night. Visiting Brescia was defeated by Napoli in a tough game in Napoli 85-90. Canadian-Slovenian point guard Kevin Pangos (186-1993, college: Gonzaga) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Leonardo Tote chipped in 22 points and 12 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Napoli have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Scafati. Brescia at the other side dropped to the second position with five games lost. They share it with Trapani and Virtus. Napoli will play against higher ranked Venezia (#9) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brescia will play against Trieste (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Sassari (7-11) and Scafati (5-13), which took place in Scafati. 10th ranked Sassari lost to thirteenth ranked Scafati in a road game 82-98 on Sunday. Rob Gray notched 32 points and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the effort. Even 20 points and 7 assists by Justin Bibbins did not help to save the game for Sassari. Sassari’s coach Nenad Markovic rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Scafati maintains thirteenth position with 5-13 record, which they share with Napoli. Loser Sassari dropped to the eleventh place with 11 games lost. Scafati will meet Pistoia (#15) on the road in the next round. Sassari will play against Milano (#5) and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Varese was smashed by Milano on the road 119-92. Trieste won against Tortona on its own court 86-72. Treviso managed to outperform Pistoia in a road game 90-84. Reggio Emilia rolled over Cremona at home 78-51. Venezia was defeated by Virtus on the opponent’s court 85-74.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists by Tornike Shengelia of Virtus BO.
Trento – Trapani 83-80
Fifth defeat of league’s leader Trapani (13-5) against second ranked Dolomiti Trentino (14-4) 83-80 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trapani. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by Trapani helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Jordan Ford (185-1998, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 4 assists. The former international swingman Saliou Niang (200-2004) contributed with 9 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American guard Justin Robinson (187-1997, college: Virginia Tech) replied with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and naturalized Bosnian Amar Alibegovic (206-1995, college: St.John’s) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Trapani. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dolomiti Trentino have a solid three-game winning streak. Trento keeps a position of league leader. Newly promoted Trapani dropped to the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Brescia and Virtus. They were replaced at the leadership position by Trento. Trapani will play next round against Cremona trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Trento will try to continue on its current victory against twelfth ranked Varese on the road.
Top scorers:
Trento: J.Ford 22+2reb+4ast, A.Lamb 14+1reb+1ast, M.Cale 13+2reb+1ast, S.Niang 9+8reb+1ast, S.Mawugbe 6+7reb+2ast, Q.Ellis 6+3reb+4ast
Trapani: J.Robinson 20+5reb+7ast, A.Alibegovic 14+6reb+2ast, L.Galloway 13+3reb+1ast, A.Yeboah 9+3reb+2ast, C.Horton 9+8reb+2ast, J.Notae 8+6reb+3ast
gschID: 1184145
Milano – Varese 119-92
No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Armani Milano (12-6) crushed at home 12th ranked Openjobmetis Varese (6-12) 119-92 on Sunday. Milano dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Openjobmetis Varese‘s 30 and made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Varese 43-24 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Milano shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 51.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American-Azerbaijani Zach LeDay (203-1994, college: Virginia Tech) notched 26 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and Danish Shavon Shields (201-1994, college: Nebraska) supported him with 20 points and 7 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Even 21 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists by American guard Jaylen Hands (191-1999, college: UCLA, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Varese. His fellow American import swingman Jaron Johnson (196-1992, college: La Tech) added 18 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place. Varese lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Milano will meet Sassari (#11) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Varese will play against the league’s leader Trento and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Milano: Z.LeDay 26+7reb, S.Shields 20+3reb+7ast, A.Brooks 18+5reb+1ast, N.Dimitrijevic 12+4reb+5ast, G.Ricci 7+3reb, G.Caruso 7+7reb
Varese: J.Hands 21+5reb+9ast, J.Johnson 18+5reb+2ast, D.Alviti 12+4reb, K.Akobundu-Ehiogu 12+5reb, A.N’Guessan 9, A.Tyus 9+4reb
gschID: 1184146
Scafati – Sassari 98-82
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Sassari (7-11) and Scafati (5-13), which took place in Scafati. 10th ranked Sassari lost to thirteenth ranked Scafati in a road game 82-98 on Sunday. Scafati made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. American guard Rob Gray (186-1994, college: Houston) notched 32 points and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and British center Daniel Akin (206-1998, college: Utah St.) supported him with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Four Scafati players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 7 assists by American point guard Justin Bibbins (174-1996, college: Utah) did not help to save the game for Sassari. Bosnian center Miralem Halilovic (205-1991) added 15 points and 6 rebounds. Sassari’s coach Nenad Markovic rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Scafati maintains thirteenth position with 5-13 record, which they share with Napoli. Loser Sassari dropped to the eleventh place with 11 games lost. Scafati will meet Pistoia (#15) on the road in the next round. Sassari will play against Milano (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Scafati: R.Gray 32+4reb+6ast, D.Akin 20+6reb+1ast, E.Maxhuni 15+3reb+1ast, S.Anim 13+3reb+2ast, P.Sorokas 6+10reb+1ast, A.Cinciarini 6+2reb+7ast
Sassari: J.Bibbins 20+7ast, M.Halilovic 15+6reb, A.Cappelletti 13+4reb+3ast, M.Tambone 9+1ast, E.Gazi 7+4reb+1ast, B.Fobbs 7+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1184147
Napoli – Brescia 90-85
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Brescia (13-5) against fifteenth ranked Napoli (5-13) on Sunday night. Visiting Brescia was defeated by Napoli in a tough game in Napoli 85-90. Napoli players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Brescia‘s players. Canadian-Slovenian point guard Kevin Pangos (186-1993, college: Gonzaga) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Leonardo Tote (211-1997) chipped in 22 points and 12 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds and the former international Amedeo Della Valle (192-1993, college: Ohio St., agency: SLN) scored 16 points and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Four Brescia players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Napoli have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Scafati. Brescia at the other side dropped to the second position with five games lost. They share it with Trapani and Virtus. Napoli will play against higher ranked Venezia (#9) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brescia will play against Trieste (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Napoli: L.Tote 22+12reb, K.Pangos 22+1reb+13ast, T.Zubcic 13+6reb+2ast, J.Pullen 9+1reb+5ast, E.Green 9+6reb+1ast, T.Woldetensae 8+2ast
Brescia: N.Ivanovic 20+1ast, A.Della Valle 16+3reb+4ast, D.Rivers 15+3reb, M.Bilan 13+13reb+3ast, C.Dowe 6+2ast, J.Burnell 6+6reb+1ast
gschID: 1184148
Trieste – Tortona 86-72
Rather expected game when 8th ranked Tortona (10-8) lost on the road to sixth ranked Trieste (12-7) 86-72 on Saturday. American guard Colbey Ross (185-1998, college: Pepperdine) notched 24 points to lead the effort and the other American import forward Denzel Valentine (196-1993, college: Michigan St.) supported him with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Trieste players scored in double figures. Even 14 points and 9 rebounds by American forward Justin Gorham (201-1998, college: Houston) did not help to save the game for Tortona. Latvian Arturs Strautins (201-1998) added 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Trieste maintains sixth position with 12-7 record. Loser Tortona keeps the eighth place with eight games lost. Trieste will meet higher ranked Brescia (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tortona will play against Virtus (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Trieste: C.Ross 24+4reb+3ast, D.Valentine 17+6reb+5ast, J.Reyes 12+4reb+1ast, J.Uthoff 10+4reb+1ast, J.Johnson 9+11reb, M.Brown 7+5reb+3ast
Tortona: J.Gorham 14+9reb+3ast, A.Strautins 12+5reb, C.Vital 9+2reb+3ast, K.Weems 8+2reb+1ast, D.Denegri 6, T.Kuhse 5+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1184149
Pistoia – Treviso 84-90
Rather predictable result when eleventh ranked Treviso (8-11) won against on the road 14th ranked Pistoia (4-14) 90-84 on Sunday. Treviso made 31-of-40 free shots (77.5 percent) during the game. Treviso outrebounded Pistoia 39-24 including 28 on the defensive glass. American forward Pauly Paulicap (203-1997, college: WVU) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the effort and Lithuanian Osvaldas Olisevicius (200-1993) supported him with 18 points. Treviso’s coach Francesco Vitucci used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 19 points and 7 assists by American point guard Semaj Christon (190-1992, college: Xavier) did not help to save the game for Pistoia. His fellow American import Michael Forrest (185-1999, college: FAU) added 22 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Treviso moved-up to tenth place. Loser Pistoia dropped to the fifteenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Cremona. Treviso will meet at home higher ranked Reggio Emilia (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Pistoia will play against Scafati (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Treviso: P.Paulicap 18+10reb+2ast, O.Olisevicius 18+3reb+2ast, D.Harrison 15+3reb+1ast, J.Macura 11+3reb+1ast, K.Bowman 9+5reb+1ast, J.Caroline 8+7reb
Pistoia: M.Forrest 22+2reb+5ast, S.Christon 19+4reb+7ast, M.Kemp 16+4reb, K.Silins 10+3reb+2ast, G.Della Rosa 6+1reb+1ast, D.Cooke Jr. 4+4reb
gschID: 1184150
Reggio Emilia – Cremona 78-51
Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Cremona (4-14) was outscored on the road by seventh ranked Reggio Emilia (11-7) 78-51 on Saturday. Reggio Emilia dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Cremona‘s 22. They outrebounded Cremona 46-23 including a 16-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Senegalese center Mouhamed Faye (206-2005) notched 20 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and American forward Kenneth Faried (203-1989, college: Morehead St.) supported him with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Four Reggio Emilia players scored in double figures. Reggio Emilia’s coach Dimitris Priftis felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 14 points by American guard Payton Willis (193-1998, college: Minnesota) did not help to save the game for Cremona. His fellow American import point guard Corey Davis (186-1997, college: Houston) added 10 points and 7 assists. Reggio Emilia maintains seventh position with 11-7 record. Loser Cremona dropped to the bottom place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Pistoia. Reggio Emilia will meet Treviso (#10) on the road in the next round. Cremona will play against the league’s second-placed Trapani (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Reggio Emilia: M.Faye 20+9reb, J.Smith 12+2reb+2ast, K.Faried 12+12reb, J.Barford 11+8reb+2ast, K.Cheatham Jr. 7+4reb+3ast, S.Gombauld 7+1reb
Cremona: P.Willis 14+3reb+2ast, C.Davis 10+2reb+7ast, S.Nikolic 8+5reb+1ast, T.Owens 8+2reb+1ast, D.Dreznjak 3+1reb, T.Lacey 2+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1184151
Virtus BO – Venezia 85-74
Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Virtus Bologna (13-5) defeated at home 9th ranked Umana Venezia (8-10) 85-74 on Sunday. Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and American point guard Matt Morgan (188-1997, college: Cornell) supported him with 15 points. Five Virtus Bologna players scored in double figures. Virtus Bologna’s coach Dusko Ivanovic used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 20 points by Canadian power forward Kyle Wiltjer (207-1992, college: Gonzaga) did not help to save the game for Venezia. Canadian point guard Tyler Ennis (188-1994, college: Syracuse) added 15 points. Virtus moved-up to second place, which they share with Trapani and Brescia. Loser Umana Venezia keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. Virtus will meet Tortona (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Venezia will play against Napoli and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Virtus BO: T.Shengelia 16+10reb+5ast, M.Morgan 15+1reb+3ast, M.Diouf 13+5reb, R.Tucker 11+3reb+3ast, I.Cordinier 10+2reb+2ast, D.Hackett 6+1reb
Venezia: K.Wiltjer 20+3reb+2ast, T.Ennis 15+3reb+2ast, J.Parks 12+1reb+6ast, A.Tessitori 9+1reb, M.Kabengele 9+9reb+2ast, A.Simms 5+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1184152
