Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most important game in the last round took place in Vilkaviskis between second ranked Telsiai (7-3) and fourth ranked Vilkaviskis (7-3) on Saturday night. Telsiai was crushed by Vilkaviskis on the road 73-104. Vilkaviskis looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Telsiai‘s players. Worth to mention a great performance of Giedrius Stankevicius (207-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Jamaican-American forward Seyi Reiley (198-1999, college: Seattle) contributed with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Gediminas Lesciauskas (197-2001) replied with 16 points for Telsiai. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vilkaviskis have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Neptunas-Akv. and Telsiai. Vilkaviskis is looking forward to face Palanga (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Telsiai will play against Alytus (#15) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Zalgiris II (6-4) against ninth ranked Palanga (5-2) on Saturday night. Host Zalgiris II was defeated by Palanga in Kaunas 89-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Point guard Mindaugas Stasys (179-1986) scored 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Julius Kazakauskas chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side swingman Dovydas Buika (197-2007) responded with 15 points and 6 assists. Zalgiris II’s coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Palanga maintains ninth position with 5-2 record. Zalgiris II at the other side dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with Omega-Tauras. Palanga will play against league’s second-placed Vilkaviskis at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Zalgiris II will play against Rytas 2 (#10) in Vilnius and hopes to get back on the winning track.
NKL top team – Jurbarkas (9-1) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat twelfth ranked Stekas (4-6) 77-65. Paulius Danisevicius notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 assists to lead the effort. Jurbarkas’ coach Povilas Valaitis used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by Dominykas Bucas did not help to save the game for Stekas. Jurbarkas have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-1 record. Loser Stekas dropped to the tenth place with six games lost. They share the position with Kretinga and Rytas 2. Jurbarkas will meet Suduva-Mantinga (#5) in the next round. Stekas will play against Silute (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Other games in round 10 were not that significant. Winless Delikatesas was smashed by Neptunas-Akv. on the road 102-79. P.Olimpas was destroyed by Suduva-Mantinga on its own court 61-80. Kretinga unfortunately lost to Silute in a road game 76-77. Vytis managed to beat Rytas 2 at home 86-69. Alytus was crushed by Omega-Tauras on the opponent’s court 92-64.
The most impressive performance of 10th round was 13 points and 15 rebounds by Ignas Juskevicius of Omega-Tauras.
Vilkaviskis – Telsiai 104-73
The most important game in the last round took place in Vilkaviskis between second ranked Telsiai (7-3) and fourth ranked Vilkaviskis (7-3) on Saturday night. Telsiai was crushed by Vilkaviskis on the road 73-104. Vilkaviskis looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Telsiai‘s players. Worth to mention a great performance of Giedrius Stankevicius (207-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Jamaican-American forward Seyi Reiley (198-1999, college: Seattle) contributed with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Reiley is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Gediminas Lesciauskas (197-2001) replied with 16 points and the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Telsiai. Four Vilkaviskis and five Telsiai players 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. Vilkaviskis have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Neptunas-Akv. and Telsiai. Vilkaviskis is looking forward to face Palanga (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Telsiai will play against Alytus (#15) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Vilkaviskis: G.Stankevicius 31+13reb+4ast, S.Reiley 16+8reb+6ast, N.Vaivada 15+4ast, M.Zukauskas 11+1reb+7ast, A.Bancevicius 9+1reb+1ast, A.Vilkas 6+5reb+3ast
Telsiai: G.Lesciauskas 16+2reb+1ast, M.Gecevicius 12+5reb+2ast, N.Radzius 12+7ast, L.Valantinas 10+5reb+1ast, O.Kaminskis 10+6reb+1ast, V.Pocius 5+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1216933
Neptunas-Akv. – Delikatesas 102-79
No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (7-3) crushed bottom-ranked Delikatesas (0-10) in Klaipeda 102-79 on Saturday. Neptunas-Akv. outrebounded Delikatesas 48-31 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Neptunas-Akv. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Lebanese forward Karim Rtail (203-2004) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Klaidas Metrikis (204-2000) supported him with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Neptunas-Akv.’s coach Simonas Serapinas felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) by Tomas Balciunas (204-2000) did not help to save the game for Delikatesas. Point guard Simonas Kriauciunas (185-1998) added 15 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Neptunas-Akv. moved-up to second place, which they share with Telsiai and Vilkaviskis. Loser Delikatesas still closes the standings with ten games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will meet at home Vytis (#6) in the next round. Delikatesas will play against P.Olimpas (#14) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Neptunas-Akv.: K.Metrikis 25+10reb, K.Rtail 22+10reb+4ast, K.Lesciauskas 15+3reb+7ast, R.Sakaitis 9+3reb+3ast, R.Maciulis 8+1reb+2ast, E.Jonkus 6+7reb+10ast
Delikatesas: T.Balciunas 18+7reb, S.Kriauciunas 15+6reb+3ast, D.Sarauskas 14+3reb+2ast, I.Stanback 9+5reb, A.Jarasiunas 6+2reb, K.Miller 6+2reb+9ast
gschID: 1216934
P.Olimpas – Suduva-Mantinga 61-80
Very expected game when 13th ranked P.Olimpas (3-10) was smashed by sixth ranked Suduva-Mantinga (6-3) in Plunge 80-61 on Saturday. Suduva-Mantinga outrebounded P.Olimpas 47-32 including 36 on the defensive glass. Suduva-Mantinga looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Ignas Labutis (199-1994) notched 17 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Even 18 points by American swingman Jared Small (201-1997, college: CMU) did not help to save the game for P.Olimpas. Point guard Modestas Jurkaitis (185-1995) added 8 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Suduva-Mantinga moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Vytis. P.Olimpas lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fourteenth position with ten games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will meet at home league’s leader Jurbarkas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. P.Olimpas will play against Delikatesas (#16) in Joniskis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Suduva-Mantinga: I.Labutis 17+6reb+2ast, M.Jucikas 15+8reb, T.Kliucinykas 9+7reb+3ast, M.Valukonis 9+5reb+2ast, A.Simonis 9+3reb+2ast, T.Baltrusaitis 6+4reb+2ast
P.Olimpas: J.Small 18+4reb+2ast, R.Kreismontas 9+2reb, T.Kararinas 9+2reb+1ast, M.Jurkaitis 8+3reb+3ast, E.Narusevicius 6+3reb+1ast, J.Stropus 5+8reb+1ast
gschID: 1216935
Silute – Kretinga 77-76
There was a small surprise when fourteenth ranked Silute (3-7) edged at home 11th ranked Kretinga (4-6) 77-76 on Saturday. Forward Tomas Lekunas (200-1993) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and point guard Laurynas Balkunas (192-1999) supported him with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Four Silute players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by Edgaras Preibys (203-2002) did not help to save the game for Kretinga. Center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) added 12 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Silute moved-up to thirteenth place. Kretinga lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with six games lost. They share it with Stekas and Rytas 2. Silute will meet higher ranked Stekas (#12) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kretinga will play against Omega-Tauras in Kaunas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: L.Balkunas 15+5reb+2ast, T.Lekunas 15+10reb+4ast, A.Urbonas 11+6reb+4ast, F.Cleveland Jr. 11+6reb+1ast, N.Jankunas 8+3reb+2ast, V.Prokopenko 7+3reb
Kretinga: E.Preibys 17+7reb+1ast, E.Danys 14+4reb+2ast, T.Budrys 12+9reb, J.Warren 8+2reb+4ast, M.Staniulis 8+2reb+7ast, K.Sapiega 8+6reb
gschID: 1216936
Vytis – Rytas 2 86-69
Not a big story in a game when 10th ranked Rytas 2 (4-6) lost to seventh ranked Vytis (6-3) in Sakiai 69-86 on Saturday. Vytis outrebounded Rytas 2 37-26 including 27 on the defensive glass. Vytis looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Forward Kajus Leliukas (203-2004) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Four Vytis players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 7 assists by guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004) did not help to save the game for Rytas 2. Forward Gabrielius Jokubauskas (195-2006) added 12 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Rytas 2’s coach Gintaras Kadziulis tested ten players seeing no chance for a win. Vytis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Suduva-Mantinga. Loser Rytas 2 keeps the tenth position with six games lost. They share it with Kretinga and Stekas. Vytis will meet higher ranked Neptunas-Akv. (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rytas 2 will play against Zalgiris II (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vytis: K.Leliukas 16+10reb+5ast, G.Celka 15+4reb+4ast, J.Rubinas 11+4reb+3ast, A.Adomavicius 11+2reb+3ast, A.Mikstas 9+5reb+1ast, R.Jocys 9+2reb+2ast
Rytas 2: A.Rimkus 15+1reb+7ast, D.Zukauskas 14+3reb+1ast, G.Jokubauskas 12+8reb, I.Urbonas 9+7reb+2ast, N.Kuliesa 8+2reb+3ast, M.Deniusas 5
gschID: 1216937
Zalgiris II – Palanga 74-89
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Zalgiris II (6-4) against ninth ranked Palanga (5-2) on Saturday night. Host Zalgiris II was defeated by Palanga in Kaunas 89-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Palanga forced 19 Zalgiris II turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Point guard Mindaugas Stasys (179-1986) scored 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side swingman Dovydas Buika (197-2007) responded with 15 points and 6 assists and forward Mantas Juzenas (199-2006) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Four Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. Zalgiris II’s coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Palanga maintains ninth position with 5-2 record. Zalgiris II at the other side dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. They share the position with Omega-Tauras. Palanga will play against league’s second-placed Vilkaviskis at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Zalgiris II will play against Rytas 2 (#10) in Vilnius and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Palanga: M.Stasys 28+1reb+5ast, J.Jucikas 20+4reb+2ast, J.Kazakauskas 18+7reb+4ast, N.Pabrieza 8+10reb, M.Ruikis 6+1reb+2ast, H.Kumpys 5+4reb+5ast
Zalgiris II: M.Juzenas 15+5reb+2ast, D.Buika 15+2reb+6ast, A.Bieliauskas 14+5reb+1ast, I.Stombergas 13+7reb, M.Laurencikas 5+2reb+1ast, K.Mikalauskas 5+2reb
gschID: 1216938
Jurbarkas – Stekas 77-65
NKL top team – Jurbarkas (9-1) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat twelfth ranked Stekas (4-6) 77-65. Jurbarkas dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Stekas‘ 24. Jurbarkas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Point guard Paulius Danisevicius (178-1995, agency: BIG) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 assists to lead the effort and power forward Karolis Guscikas (206-1992, agency: BIG) supported him with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Four Jurbarkas players scored in double figures. Jurbarkas’ coach Povilas Valaitis used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by Dominykas Bucas (203-1999) did not help to save the game for Stekas. Guard Lukas Pivoriunas (194-2003) added 10 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Jurbarkas have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-1 record. Loser Stekas dropped to the tenth place with six games lost. They share the position with Kretinga and Rytas 2. Jurbarkas will meet Suduva-Mantinga (#5) in the next round. Stekas will play against Silute (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: P.Danisevicius 19+4reb+11ast, K.Guscikas 12+12reb+3ast, P.Beliavicius 11+3reb+1ast, K.Kokoska 10+8reb+3ast, J.Nausedas 9+5reb+2ast, E.Dimsa 6+2reb+2ast
Stekas: D.Bucas 20+9reb+2ast, K.Jonuska 12+4reb+2ast, L.Pivoriunas 10+6reb+3ast, T.Rinkunas 9+1ast, P.Semaska 4+4reb+6ast, K.Brusokas 4+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1216939
Omega-Tauras – Alytus 92-64
Everything went according to plan when eighth ranked Omega-Tauras (6-4) outplayed 15th ranked Alytus (2-8) in Kaunas 92-64 on Saturday. Omega-Tauras outrebounded Alytus 52-36 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Omega-Tauras looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Robert Subotkevic (203-1998) notched 23 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and center Ignas Juskevicius (200-1991) supported him with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Four Omega-Tauras players scored in double figures. Even 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by guard Juozas Balciunas (188-1994, college: Trinity Christian) did not help to save the game for Alytus. Swingman Lukas Kazlauskas (188-1992, agency: KAM) added 12 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Alytus’ coach Mindaugas Jarusevicius gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Omega-Tauras moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Zalgiris II. Alytus at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fifteenth position with eight games lost. Omega-Tauras will meet at home Kretinga (#11) in the next round. Alytus will play against Telsiai (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Omega-Tauras: R.Subotkevic 23+6reb+3ast, I.Juskevicius 13+15reb+3ast, P.Karasov 13+7reb, E.Baltrimavicius 11+6reb+1ast, R.Keliacius 10+6reb+2ast, G.Kucinskas 8+2reb+1ast
Alytus: J.Balciunas 21+5reb+4ast, L.Kazlauskas 12+6reb+3ast, O.Vaitulevicius 8+3reb, M.Davis 8+1reb+4ast, R.Rutkauskas 5+7reb, A.Siumbrys 4+1reb
gschID: 1216940
