Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Third defeat of league’s leader Montenegrin Buducnost (19-3) against tenth ranked Serbian Mega BG (11-11) 93-79 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Buducnost. Mega BG shot 62.5 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Mihailo Petrovic (190-2003) contributed with 19 points and 8 assists for the winners. American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) replied with 12 points and 8 assists for Buducnost. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mega BG moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Zadar and FMP BG. Defending Montenegrin champion Buducnost dropped to the second position with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Partizan. Buducnost will play next round against Borac trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Mega BG will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Crvena zvezda. It will be extra interesting game as Crvena zvezda is their local rival from Beograd.
One of the most interesting games of round 22 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Beograd where first ranked Partizan outleveled visiting FMP BG (11-11) 90-65. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of FMP BG. Forward Aleksej Pokusevski (213-2001) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Frank Ntilikina chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American center Jake Stephens (213-1999, college: Chattanooga) responded with 16 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. Partizan (20-2) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position. FMP BG at the other side keeps the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Zadar and Mega BG. Partizan will play against Dubai (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. FMP BG will play against Krka (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (17-5) against sixth ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (13-9) on Sunday night. Visiting Crvena zvezda was defeated by Cedevita Ol. in a tough game in Ljubljana 69-74. Devin Robinson notched 15 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 15 points and 7 assists by Codi Miller-McIntyre did not help to save the game for Crvena zvezda. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending Slovenian champion maintains sixth position with 13-9 record. Defending Serbian champion Crvena zvezda keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with Dubai. Cedevita Ol. will meet at home Zadar (#8) in the next round. Crvena zvezda’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd Mega BG.
Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Krka was beaten by Zadar on the road 72-63. Dubai won against Derby on its own court 98-86. Bottom-ranked Mornar unfortunately lost to Cibona in Zagreb 64-82. Spartak managed to beat Split at home 82-79. Igokea defeated Borac on the opponent’s court 88-75.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 18 points by Nikola Kalinic of Crvena zvezda.
Zadar – Krka 72-63
No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked Croatian Zadar (11-11) beat at home 14th ranked Slovenian Krka (4-18) 72-63 on Thursday. Zadar made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game, while Krka only scored five points from the stripe. They outrebounded Krka 39-20 including 28 on the defensive glass. American forward Tyler Wahl (206-2001, college: Wisconsin) notched 17 points and 7 assists to lead the effort and power forward Karlo Zganec (206-1995, agency: PEPI SPORT) supported him with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Zadar players scored in double figures. Even 5 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Krka. Miha Cerkvenik (201-2001) added 11 points for lost side. Defending Croatian champion moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Mega BG and FMP BG. Krka lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Cibona. Zadar will meet higher ranked Cedevita Ol. (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Krka will play against FMP BG (#10) in Beograd and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zadar: T.Wahl 17+4reb+7ast, K.Zganec 14+6reb+2ast, M.Bakovic 14+5reb, M.Ramljak 10+8reb+3ast, D.Gilbert 6+7reb+4ast, L.Mazalin 6+5reb+2ast
Krka: M.Cerkvenik 11+4reb+1ast, J.Span 11+4ast, J.Cebasek 9+2reb+1ast, Z.Smrekar 6+3reb+1ast, B.Skeens 6+5reb+2ast, R.Jurkovic 6
gschID: 1180007
Partizan – FMP BG 90-65
One of the most interesting games of round 22 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Beograd where first ranked Partizan outleveled visiting FMP BG (11-11) 90-65. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of FMP BG. They outrebounded FMP BG 41-29 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Partizan brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Forward Aleksej Pokusevski (213-2001) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and French point guard Frank Ntilikina (195-1998) chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American center Jake Stephens (213-1999, college: Chattanooga) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Filip Barna (201-1999) scored 18 points and 5 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. Partizan (20-2) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position. FMP BG at the other side keeps the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Zadar and Mega BG. Partizan will play against Dubai (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. FMP BG will play against Krka (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Partizan: D.Washington Jr. 15+2reb+1ast, A.Pokusevski 12+7reb, V.Marinkovic 12+1reb, B.Koprivica 9+8reb, F.Ntilikina 8+6reb+4ast, I.Mike 7+6reb
FMP BG: F.Barna 18+5reb, J.Stephens 16+8reb+1ast, P.Popovic 9+3reb+3ast, V.Stojanovic 6+2reb+4ast, J.Scott 6+3reb+5ast, R.Simovic 5+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1180008
Dubai – Derby 98-86
Very expected game when 13th ranked Montenegrin Derby (7-15) lost on the road to fourth ranked UAE Dubai (17-5) 98-86 on Saturday. Dubai made 17-of-18 free shots (94.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Serbian guard Danilo Andjusic (195-1991) notched 22 points to lead the effort and French center Jerry Boutsiele (207-1992) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Dubai’s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists by American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) did not help to save the game for Derby. David Mirkovic (206-2006) added 14 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Five Dubai and four Derby players scored in double figures. Dubai moved-up to third place, which they share with Crvena zvezda. Loser Derby dropped to the twelfth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Split. Dubai will meet at home league’s leader Partizan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Derby will play against Mornar (#16) in Bar and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Dubai: D.Andjusic 22+1reb+3ast, J.Boutsiele 15+6reb+2ast, A.Abass 12+4reb+3ast, N.Dangubic 11+9reb, D.Bertans 11+5reb+1ast, K.Prepelic 10+1reb+1ast
Derby: E.Neal 15+2reb+10ast, A.Grbovic 15+4reb, D.Mirkovic 14+8reb, Z.Nikolic 13+2reb+3ast, L.Bogavac 9+3reb+3ast, E.Hadzibegovic 9+5reb
gschID: 1180009
Cibona – Mornar 82-64
The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifteenth ranked Croatian Cibona‘s (4-18) home victory over bottom-ranked Montenegrin Mornar (1-22) in Zagreb 82-64 on Friday. Cibona looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Mornar‘s players. Ivan Perasovic (200-2002) notched 22 points (perfect from downtown making all seven shots !!!) to lead the effort and point guard Kresimir Radovcic (195-1997) supported him with 11 points and 5 assists. Cibona’s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds by Croatian power forward Lovro Buljevic (210-1998) did not help to save the game for Mornar. American guard Noah Thomasson (190-2001, college: Georgia) added 21 points and 4 assists for lost side. Cibona moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Krka. Mornar lost sixteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 22 lost games. Cibona will meet higher ranked Split (#12) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mornar will play against Derby (#13) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Cibona: I.Perasovic 22+2reb+1ast, K.Radovcic 11+3reb+5ast, D.Vukovic 8+2reb+1ast, F.Bundovic 8+3ast, L.Skoric 7+2reb+2ast, S.Smajlagic 6+8reb+3ast
Mornar: N.Thomasson 21+2reb+4ast, L.Buljevic 19+11reb+1ast, J.Smith 8+6reb+1ast, L.Runjic 5+3reb+1ast, D.Pember 4+4reb, A.Cubic 3+4reb
gschID: 1180010
Spartak – Split 82-79
Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Croatian Split (7-15) was edged by seventh ranked Serbian Spartak (12-10) in Subotica 82-79 on Sunday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Spartak looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Umoja Gibson (185-1998, college: DePaul) notched 13 points to lead the effort and Bosnian-Serbian forward Dalibor Ilic (202-2000) supported him with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Even 22 points and 9 rebounds by American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) did not help to save the game for Split. Forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) added 11 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Four Split players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Spartak maintains seventh position with 12-10 record. Loser Split dropped to the twelfth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Derby. Spartak will meet higher ranked Igokea (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Split will play against Cibona (#15) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Spartak: V.Medarevic 14+2reb, U.Gibson 13+4reb+3ast, D.Nikolic 11+5reb, D.Miletic 9+4reb+1ast, D.Ilic 9+7reb+2ast, R.Bolton 8+2reb+2ast
Split: S.Shorter 22+9reb+3ast, K.Ljubicic 15+3reb+2ast, D.Skara 11+9reb+2ast, B.Tisma 11+6reb+1ast, A.Jordano 8+4reb+1ast, B.Kapusta 6+4reb+6ast
gschID: 1180011
Borac CA – Igokea 75-88
Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Bosnian Igokea (15-8) defeated 11th ranked Serbian Borac (8-14) in Cacak 88-75 on Saturday. Igokea made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Borac turnovers. American point guard Bryce Jones (183-1994, college: Murray St.) notched 15 points to lead the effort and Serbian Dragan Milosavljevic (198-1989) supported him with 10 points and 5 assists. Jones is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Igokea’s coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 17 points and 6 assists by American point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG) did not help to save the game for Borac. Bosnian-Serbian forward Marko Josilo (200-1992) added 14 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Four Igokea and five Borac players scored in double figures. Igokea have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Bosnian champion maintains fifth position with 15-8 record. Loser Borac CA keeps the eleventh place with 14 games lost. Igokea will meet at home Spartak (#7) in the next round. Borac will play against the league’s second-placed Buducnost (#2) in Podgorica and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Igokea: B.Jones 15+3reb+3ast, B.Simanic 13+2reb, M.Jeremic 11+1reb+1ast, T.Carter II 11+3reb+2ast, N.Maric 10+4reb+1ast, D.Milosavljevic 10+4reb+5ast
Borac CA: D.Baldwin 17+3reb+6ast, M.Josilo 14+5reb+3ast, J.Furmanavicius 11+3reb+2ast, N.Manojlovic 10+6reb, S.Fundic 10+7reb, P.Nikolic 8+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1180012
Mega BG – Buducnost 93-79
Third defeat of league’s leader Montenegrin Buducnost (19-3) against tenth ranked Serbian Mega BG (11-11) 93-79 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Buducnost. Mega BG shot 62.5 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Mihailo Petrovic (190-2003) contributed with 19 points and 8 assists for the winners. American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) replied with 12 points and 8 assists and Nigerian-American Rasheed Sulaimon (194-1994, college: Maryland) added 13 points and 4 assists in the effort for Buducnost. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mega BG moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Zadar and FMP BG. Defending Montenegrin champion Buducnost dropped to the second position with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Partizan. Buducnost will play next round against Borac trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Mega BG will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Crvena zvezda. It will be extra interesting game as Crvena zvezda is their local rival from Beograd.
Top scorers:
Mega BG: B.Markovic 27+5reb+4ast, M.Petrovic 19+3reb+8ast, U.Kroflic 13+4reb+4ast, A.Jelavic 13+7reb+2ast, S.Miljenovic 8+2reb+1ast, T.Malovec 6+6reb+3ast
Buducnost: N.Tanaskovic 17+1reb, F.Magee 14+1reb, R.Sulaimon 13+3reb+4ast, M.Wright IV 12+3reb+8ast, K.Kamenjas 8, A.Ilic 4+2reb
gschID: 1180013
Cedevita Ol. – Crvena zvezda 74-69
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (17-5) against sixth ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (13-9) on Sunday night. Visiting Crvena zvezda was defeated by Cedevita Ol. in a tough game in Ljubljana 69-74. American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) notched 15 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Aleksej Nikolic (191-1995) supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Four Cedevita Ol. players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 7 assists by American-Bulgarian point guard Codi Miller-McIntyre (191-1994, college: Wake Forest) did not help to save the game for Crvena zvezda. Forward Nikola Kalinic (202-1991) added 18 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending Slovenian champion maintains sixth position with 13-9 record. Defending Serbian champion Crvena zvezda keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with Dubai. Cedevita Ol. will meet at home Zadar (#8) in the next round. Crvena zvezda’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd Mega BG.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: B.Lemar 15+4reb+1ast, D.Robinson 15+6reb+2ast, A.Nikolic 13+6reb+3ast, A.Stipanovic 10+3reb+3ast, D.Stewart Jr. 9+1reb+2ast, D.Tasic 5+4reb
Crvena zvezda: N.Kalinic 18+3reb+1ast, C.Miller-McIntyre 15+2reb+7ast, J.Bolomboy 8+7reb+3ast, D.Davidovac 6+4reb, I.Canaan 6, R.Giedraitis 5+1reb
gschID: 1180014
