After 5 rounds played we can already see who rules in the Lat-Est BL and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Latvian VEF Riga as it allowed them to take a leadership position. VEF Riga smashed 7th ranked Estonian Rapla at home 84-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rapla. VEF Riga looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Rihards Berkolds (192-2004) stepped up and scored 20 points for the winners and American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) chipped in 16 points. Hendrik Eelmae (199-2000) responded with 19 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Valmiera Glass. Rapla at the other side keeps the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with Ventspils. Rapla will play next round against LU trying to get back on the winning streak. VEF Riga will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked TalTech in Tallinn.
Undefeated Estonian Parnu (1-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by eleventh ranked Latvian Liepaja (2-4) 91-81. Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) nailed 25 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Rinalds Malmanis accounted for 15 points and 6 rebounds. American point guard Christian Bradford (185-1995, college: Radford) came up with 20 points and 4 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) for Parnu in the defeat. Liepaja moved-up to ninth place. Parnu at the other side dropped to the tenth position with one game lost. Liepaja will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Parnu will play at home against the league’s second-placed Valmiera Glass (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
One of the most interesting games of round 5 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Seventh ranked TalTech won against host Keila (1-6) 77-66. The best player for the winners was Siim-Markus Post who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. TalTech’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rinalds Timma produced 14 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. TalTech (3-1) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Kalev/Cramo. Keila lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth position with six games lost. TalTech will meet at home Ventspils (#8) in the next round. Keila’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Keila Keila.
There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Kalev/Cramo destroyed BK Ogre on the opponent’s court 95-69. Viimsi managed to outperform Rigas Z. in a home game 70-66. Winless LU recorded a loss to Keila on the road 83-75.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Kristen Kasemets of Keila.
Keila – TalTech 66-77
One of the most interesting games of round 5 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Seventh ranked TalTech won against host Keila (1-6) 77-66. TalTech outrebounded Keila 53-31 including a 21-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Taavi Jurkatamm (204-1997, college: USF) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). TalTech’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Latvian guard Rinalds Timma (193-2003) produced 14 points and 5 rebounds and Egert Haller (193-1995) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Four Keila players scored in double figures. TalTech (3-1) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Kalev/Cramo. Keila lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth position with six games lost. TalTech will meet at home Ventspils (#8) in the next round. Keila’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Keila Keila.
Top scorers:
TalTech: A.Tassa 19+4reb, S.Post 18+12reb+9ast, T.Jurkatamm 16+16reb+2ast, R.Andre 9+7reb+1ast, K.Kitsing 9+8reb, P.Saal 4+4reb+1ast
Keila: E.Haller 15+3reb+2ast, R.Timma 14+5reb+1ast, V.Shymanskyi 10+9reb+1ast, S.Kaldre 10+4reb+1ast, P.Peemot 9+2reb+5ast, K.Lootus 4+1reb
gschID: 1211121
Parnu – Liepaja 81-91
Undefeated Estonian Parnu (1-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by eleventh ranked Latvian Liepaja (2-4) 91-81. Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) nailed 25 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and forward Rinalds Malmanis (206-1996) accounted for 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Liepaja players scored in double figures. American point guard Christian Bradford (185-1995, college: Radford) came up with 20 points and 4 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and Nigerian forward Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (203-1999, college: Rider) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Parnu in the defeat. Liepaja moved-up to ninth place. Parnu at the other side dropped to the tenth position with one game lost. Liepaja will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Parnu will play at home against the league’s second-placed Valmiera Glass (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: K.Kilps 25+6reb+3ast, K.Dubults 16+5reb+2ast, R.Malmanis 15+6reb+2ast, R.Freimanis 11+3reb+1ast, E.Lasenbergs 10+1reb+7ast, M.Kilups 6+1reb
Parnu: C.Bradford 20+1reb+4ast, R.Valge 13+1reb+1ast, A.Ogemuno-Johnson 12+9reb, S.Aav 10, O.Jarvi 9+1reb+3ast, I.Tamm 8+3reb
gschID: 1211122
BK Ogre – Kalev/Cramo 69-95
There was a minor upset when second-ranked Latvian BK Ogre (4-2) was crushed at home by fifth ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (3-1) 95-69 on Saturday. Kalev/Cramo outrebounded BK Ogre 47-28 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kalev/Cramo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Ivorian forward Patrick Tape (208-1998, college: USF, agency: Players Group) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Kregor Hermet (205-1997) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Kalev/Cramo’s coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Latvian Kristaps Dargais (198-1990) produced 9 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Kristaps Mediss (188-1989) added 10 points respectively for the hosts. Kalev/Cramo have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending Estonian champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with TalTech. Loser BK Ogre dropped to the third position with two games lost. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. BK Ogre will play against Rigas Z. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: P.Tape 21+12reb+2ast, K.Hermet 16+9reb+2ast, L.Bockler 14+4reb+3ast, A.Miska 10+2reb+1ast, S.Kaukiainen 10+5ast, K.Suurorg 9+7reb+5ast
BK Ogre: K.Zunda 12+1ast, K.Mediss 10+3reb+1ast, K.Dargais 9+8reb+4ast, G.Kampuss 9+3reb+2ast, M.Rasnick 7+4reb+2ast, G.Sipolins 7+4reb+2ast
gschID: 1211123
VEF Riga – Rapla 84-62
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Latvian VEF Riga as it allowed them to take a leadership position. VEF Riga smashed 7th ranked Estonian Rapla at home 84-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rapla. VEF Riga looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Rihards Berkolds (192-2004) stepped up and scored 20 points for the winners and American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) chipped in 16 points. Four VEF Riga players scored in double figures. Hendrik Eelmae (199-2000) responded with 19 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Jalyn McCreary (203-2000, college: Mercer) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Valmiera Glass. Rapla at the other side keeps the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with Ventspils. Rapla will play next round against LU trying to get back on the winning streak. VEF Riga will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked TalTech in Tallinn.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: R.Berkolds 20+4reb+2ast, H.Cleary 16+3reb+2ast, M.Gulbis 11+5reb+1ast, P.Pinnis 10+8reb+1ast, I.Sanon 7+7reb+5ast, J.Lawrence 7+1reb
Rapla: H.Eelmae 19+8reb+2ast, J.McCreary 12+10reb+1ast, T.Niits 9+4reb+1ast, E.Krumins 7+1reb+5ast, B.McKissic 5+3reb+2ast, M.Ruubel 4+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1211124
Viimsi – Rigas Z. 70-66
There was a surprise result when twelfth ranked Estonian Viimsi (1-2) defeated at home higher ranked Latvian Rigas Z. (3-3) 70-66 on Sunday. Viimsi made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Jorgen Rikberg (185-2002) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Viimsi players scored in double figures. Kriss Helmanis (209-2002) produced 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American-South Sudanese guard Akuel Kot (188-2001, college: Wyoming) added 12 points respectively for the guests. Viimsi left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with Tartu. Loser Rigas Z. keeps the sixth position with three games lost. Viimsi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rigas Z. will play against BK Ogre (#3) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Viimsi: O.Pajic 19+15reb+5ast, A.Hint 17+3reb+1ast, M.Jaakson 16+5reb, J.Rikberg 14+5reb+3ast, A.Sarap 2, H.Shvydchenko 2+3reb
Rigas Z.: J.Vitols 12+1reb+3ast, A.Kot 12+3reb+1ast, K.Helmanis 10+8reb+5ast, J.McKoy 9+2reb+3ast, R.Berzins 8+1reb+1ast, D.Viksne 6+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1211125
Keila – LU 83-75
We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when bottom-ranked Latvian LU (0-5) was defeated on the road by fourteenth ranked Estonian Keila (1-6) 83-75 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Five Keila players scored in double figures. Rihards Aleksandrovs (201-2002) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds and Rudolfs Svitins (200-2005) added 18 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) respectively for the guests. LU’s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Keila left bottom position moving up to thirteenth place. It was LU‘s fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Keila’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Keila Keila.
Top scorers:
Keila: K.Kasemets 22+5reb+4ast, A.Kovalov 14+11reb+1ast, S.Sutt 13+5reb+3ast, R.Kuttis 11+1reb, T.Kupstas 10+7reb+8ast, A.Myronenko 8+1reb
LU: R.Svitins 18+4reb+1ast, R.Aleksandrovs 18+7reb+1ast, A.Helmanis 14+6reb, E.Egle 7+1reb+3ast, K.Petersons 6+2reb, K.Senbergs 5+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1211126
