Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Rimini (14-4) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Rieti (11-7) 96-91. Rieti made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international point guard Diego Monaldi (185-1993) who led his team to a victory with 18 points. Power forward Giorgio Piunti (205-1990) contributed with 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Rieti’s coach Alessandro Rossi used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international swingman Pierpaolo Marini (193-1993, agency: Players Group) replied with 26 points for Rimini. Rieti moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Rimini lost third consecutive game. They still keep top position with four games lost. They share it with Udine. Rieti is looking forward to face Forli (#5) on the road in the next round. Rimini will play against Juvi Cremona (#16) and is hoping to win this game.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Avellino (10-8) and Juvi Cremona (7-11), which took place in Avellino. Higher ranked Avellino lost at home to sixteenth ranked Juvi Cremona 75-79. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Avellino. American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 25 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Simone Barbante chipped in 9 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Juvi Cremona’s coach Luca Bechi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American Jaren Lewis (201-1996, college: ACU) with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Juvi Cremona moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Avellino dropped to the ninth position with eight games lost. Juvi Cremona will play against league’s leader Rimini at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Avellino will play against Orzinuovi (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another upset was a game between Milano Urania (11-7) and Livorno Libertas (7-11), which took place in Livorno. Higher ranked Milano Urania lost to fifteenth ranked Livorno Libertas in a road game 68-86 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Milano Urania. Adrian Banks notched 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort. Even 20 points and 5 rebounds by Alessandro Gentile did not help to save the game for Milano Urania. Livorno Libertas moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Milano Urania at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Livorno Libertas will meet Brindisi (#14) on the road in the next round. Milano Urania will play against Cento (#18) and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Forli beat Nardo on the road 84-75. Pesaro destroyed Fortitudo on its own court 82-61. Cantu managed to outperform Piacenza in a road game 82-77. Torino recorded a loss to Cividale at home 65-74. Verona defeated Brindisi on the opponent’s court 69-58. Udine beat Orzinuovi in a home game 82-65. Vigevano won against Cento on the road 79-64.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 21 points and 6 rebounds by Quinton Hooker of Livorno Libertas.
Nardo – Forli 75-84
No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Forli (11-7) beat on the road 18th ranked Nardo (5-13) 84-75 on Sunday. Forli made 20-of-21 free shots (95.2 percent) during the game. Point guard Matteo Parravicini (187-2001) notched 13 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Croatian guard Toni Perkovic (191-1998) supported him with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 26 points by American Wayne Stewart Jr (201-1996, college: A&M-Commerce) did not help to save the game for Nardo. Cameroonian guard Aristide Mouaha (191-2000) added 16 points and 5 rebounds. Forli moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Nardo lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventeenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Vigevano and Cento. Forli will meet at home Rieti (#6) in the next round. Nardo will play against Cantu (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Forli: M.Parravicini 13+4reb+4ast, D.Cinciarini 11+2reb, A.Del Chiaro 10+6reb+1ast, T.Perkovic 9+5reb+4ast, L.Pollone 9+3reb+1ast, D.Magro 9+1reb
Nardo: W.Stewart Jr 26+4reb, A.Mouaha 16+5reb+1ast, A.Iannuzzi 13+7reb, M.Ebeling 7+1reb, R.Zugno 6+2reb+4ast, A.Woodson 5+9reb+7ast
gschID: 1184533
Pesaro – Fortitudo BO 82-61
There was a minor upset when 10th ranked Fortitudo (9-9) was smashed on the road by twelfth ranked Pesaro (9-9) 82-61 on Sunday. Pesaro made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. American guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton) notched 32 points and 7 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and the other American import forward VJ King (198-1997, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 9 points and 5 rebounds. Even 25 points by the former international Pietro Aradori (195-1988) did not help to save the game for Fortitudo. American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) added 16 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. Pesaro have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Fortitudo and Orzinuovi. Pesaro will meet higher ranked Cividale (#4) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fortitudo will play against the league’s second-placed Udine (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Pesaro: K.Ahmad 32+7reb, S.Zanotti 12+3reb, V.King 9+5reb+2ast, L.Bucarelli 8+4reb+3ast, O.Maretto 8+5reb+1ast, Q.De Laurentiis 6+3reb+1ast
Fortitudo BO: P.Aradori 25+3reb, D.Freeman 16+10reb, M.Fantinelli 6+7reb+5ast, L.Battistini 4+4reb, M.Cusin 4+2reb, A.Panni 3+1reb
gschID: 1184534
Piacenza – Cantu 77-82
Very predictable result when third ranked Cantu (13-5) won against on the road bottom-ranked Piacenza (3-15) 82-77 on Saturday. Cantu had a 33-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international forward Grant Basile (206-2000, college: Virginia Tech) notched 17 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international guard Riccardo Moraschini (194-1991) supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Even 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists by guard Saverio Bartoli (194-2000) did not help to save the game for Piacenza. American guard Derrick Marks (191-1993, college: Boise St., agency: Players Group) added 23 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cantu maintains third position with 13-5 record behind leader Rimini. Piacenza lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Cantu will meet at home Nardo (#19) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Piacenza will play against Verona and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cantu: G.Basile 17+6reb, F.Valentini 15+5ast, R.Moraschini 13+6reb+3ast, L.Possamai 9+5reb, F.Rossi 7+10reb+1ast, T.McGee 7
Piacenza: D.Marks 23+3reb+2ast, S.Bartoli 17+9reb+7ast, M.Serpilli 11+2reb, U.D’Almeida 6+3reb+1ast, L.Querci 6+1reb, F.Bonacini 6+5reb
gschID: 1184535
Rimini – Rieti 91-96
The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Rimini (14-4) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Rieti (11-7) 96-91. Rieti made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international point guard Diego Monaldi (185-1993) who led his team to a victory with 18 points. Power forward Giorgio Piunti (205-1990) contributed with 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Rieti’s coach Alessandro Rossi used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international swingman Pierpaolo Marini (193-1993, agency: Players Group) replied with 26 points and American guard Gerald Robinson (185-1989, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Rimini. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rieti moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Rimini lost third consecutive game. They still keep top position with four games lost. They share it with Udine. Rieti is looking forward to face Forli (#5) on the road in the next round. Rimini will play against Juvi Cremona (#16) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Rieti: A.Sarto 20+1reb, G.Piunti 19+3reb+1ast, D.Monaldi 18+3reb+3ast, A.Cicchetti 14+8reb+1ast, M.Spanghero 9+2reb+1ast, J.Harris 4+6reb+4ast
Rimini: P.Marini 26+4reb+2ast, G.Robinson 14+5reb+5ast, S.Anumba 12+3reb+3ast, A.Grande 11+3reb+1ast, G.Camara 8+4reb, A.Simioni 8+4reb
gschID: 1184536
Avellino – Juvi Cremona 75-79
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Avellino (10-8) and Juvi Cremona (7-11), which took place in Avellino. Higher ranked Avellino lost at home to sixteenth ranked Juvi Cremona 75-79. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Avellino. Juvi Cremona dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Avellino‘s 20. American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 25 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and power forward Simone Barbante (211-1999) chipped in 9 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Juvi Cremona’s coach Luca Bechi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American Jaren Lewis (201-1996, college: ACU) with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and Estonian Mikk Jurkatamm (195-2000) scored 18 points. Four Avellino players scored in double figures. Juvi Cremona moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Avellino dropped to the ninth position with eight games lost. Juvi Cremona will play against league’s leader Rimini at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Avellino will play against Orzinuovi (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juvi Cremona: E.Polanco 25+5reb, A.Morgillo 11+6reb, S.Barbante 9+8reb+1ast, Y.Giombini 9+6reb, G.Bertetti 9+4reb+4ast, I.Brown 7+1reb+8ast
Avellino: M.Jurkatamm 18+3reb+3ast, F.Mussini 12+1reb+2ast, M.Earlington 11+5reb+1ast, J.Lewis 10+12reb+7ast, A.Verazzo 8+1reb+1ast, M.Bortolin 7+12reb
gschID: 1184537
Torino – Cividale 65-74
Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Torino (7-11) lost at home to fifth ranked Cividale (12-6) 74-65 on Sunday. Point guard Eugenio Rota (178-1999, agency: SLN) notched 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and power forward Giacomo DellAgnello (198-1994) supported him with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Cividale players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds by Nigerian-American forward Ife Josh Ajayi (201-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Torino. American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) added 11 points and 4 assists. Torino’s coach Matteo Boniciolli rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Cividale moved-up to fourth place. Torino lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Cividale will meet at home Pesaro (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Torino will play against Vigevano and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cividale: E.Rota 16+6reb+6ast, L.Redivo 14+1reb+1ast, F.Ferrari 12+6reb, D.Lamb 10+4reb+1ast, G.Dell’Agnello 10+5reb+5ast, G.Miani 5+1reb
Torino: I.Josh Ajayi 14+14reb+1ast, K.Taylor 11+4reb+4ast, M.Ghirlanda 10+7reb+2ast, M.Schina 9+2reb+4ast, M.Ladurner 7+2reb, A.Landi 7+2reb+3ast
gschID: 1184538
Brindisi – Verona 58-69
Everything went according to plan when ninth ranked Verona (11-7) defeated on the road 14th ranked Brindisi (7-11) 69-58 on Sunday. Verona made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. The former international Mattia Palumbo (198-2000) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) supported him with 16 points. Even a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Mark Ogden (206-1994, college: Utah Tech) did not help to save the game for Brindisi. His fellow American import guard Bryon Allen (192-1992, college: GMU) added 19 points and 4 assists. Brindisi’s coach Piero Bucchi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Verona moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Brindisi at the other side dropped to the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Verona will meet at home bottom-ranked Piacenza (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Brindisi will play against Livorno Libertas (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Verona: M.Palumbo 17+11reb+1ast, Z.Copeland 16+4reb+1ast, J.Cannon 10+6reb+1ast, E.Esposito 8+3reb+1ast, L.Penna 6+5reb+5ast, L.Faggian 6+1reb
Brindisi: B.Allen 19+3reb+4ast, M.Ogden 13+10reb+3ast, G.Arletti 7+2reb+1ast, A.Calzavara 6+3reb, E.Del Cadia 4+4reb, G.Vildera 3+7reb+1ast
gschID: 1184539
Udine – Orzinuovi 82-65
There was no surprise when 11th ranked Orzinuovi (9-9) lost on the road to second ranked Udine (14-4) 82-65 on Sunday. Udine looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Naturalized American guard Mirza Alibegovic (196-1992) notched 21 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and American point guard Anthony Hickey (180-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 15 points and 8 assists. Udine’s coach Adriano Vertemati used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 17 points and 6 rebounds by American power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) did not help to save the game for Orzinuovi. Center Tommaso Guariglia (205-1997) added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Udine have a solid three-game winning streak. They used an opportunity after Rimini lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Orzinuovi at the other side dropped to the tenth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Pesaro and Fortitudo. Udine will meet Fortitudo (#12) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Orzinuovi will play against Avellino and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Udine: M.Alibegovic 21+5reb+2ast, X.Johnson 17+7reb+1ast, A.Hickey 15+3reb+8ast, D.Bruttini 6+3reb, L.Ambrosin 5+2reb+2ast, L.Caroti 5+1reb+4ast
Orzinuovi: J.Williams 17+6reb+3ast, J.Johnson 14+1reb+8ast, T.Guariglia 14+10reb+2ast, C.Costi 8+4reb, S.Moretti 4+3reb, A.Bertini 4+7reb
gschID: 1184540
Cento – Vigevano 64-79
There was a small surprise when nineteenth ranked Vigevano (5-13) beat on the road 17th ranked Cento (5-13) 79-64 on Sunday. Vigevano forced 19 Cento turnovers. Strangely Cento outrebounded Vigevano 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. American point guard Myles Mack (178-1993, college: Rutgers) notched 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) to lead the effort and Matteo Galassi (185-1998) supported him with 18 points. Even a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds by American forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) did not help to save the game for Cento. Point guard Nicola Berdini (184-2003) added 16 points and 5 rebounds. Vigevano moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Cento and Nardo. Vigevano will meet at home higher ranked Torino (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cento will play against Milano Urania (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vigevano: M.Mack 25+5reb+6ast, M.Galassi 18+2reb, K.Strautmanis 13+2reb+1ast, P.Oduro 7+10reb, F.Rossi 7+4reb+2ast, C.Taflaj 4+2reb
Cento: S.Davis 18+13reb+1ast, N.Berdini 16+5reb+3ast, L.Benvenuti 15+5reb, N.Alessandrini 6+4reb, G.DeVoe 4+9reb+4ast, V.Nobile 3+2reb+3ast
gschID: 1184541
Livorno Libertas – Milano Urania 86-68
Another upset was a game between Milano Urania (11-7) and Livorno Libertas (7-11), which took place in Livorno. Higher ranked Milano Urania lost to fifteenth ranked Livorno Libertas in a road game 68-86 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Milano Urania. Livorno Libertas made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Milano Urania 50-29 including a 37-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. American-Israeli Adrian Banks (191-1986, college: Arkansas St.) notched 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and American point guard Quinton Hooker (183-1995, college: N.Dakota) supported him with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Even 20 points and 5 rebounds by the former international swingman Alessandro Gentile (201-1992) did not help to save the game for Milano Urania. Nigerian-American power forward Ike Joseph Udanoh (207-1989, college: WSU) added 14 points and 10 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Livorno Libertas moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Milano Urania at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Livorno Libertas will meet Brindisi (#14) on the road in the next round. Milano Urania will play against Cento (#18) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Livorno Libertas: Q.Hooker 21+6reb+1ast, A.Banks 19+6reb+4ast, N.Italiano 11+4reb+2ast, A.Filloy 10+5reb+1ast, T.Fantoni 8+8reb+2ast, D.Buca 7+10reb
Milano Urania: A.Gentile 20+5reb+1ast, N.Potts 15+5reb, I.Joseph Udanoh 14+10reb, A.Amato 7+2reb+3ast, M.Cavallero 6+2reb, L.Maspero 4+1ast
gschID: 1184542
