Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Justin Edler-Davis

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in Liga Betclic. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Angra where host Lusitania (10-11) beat league’s leader FC Porto (18-3) 82-78 on Wednesday evening. Lusitania looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American swingman Justin Edler-Davis (193-1998, college: CSUB) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Derek Jackson (187-1991, college: Kent St.) chipped in 9 points and 9 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Michael Finke (208-1996, college: GCU, agency: Players Group) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Lusitania have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. FC Porto at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Benfica who have the same record. There is only one round left in the Regular Season. And it will be most important game for FC Porto this season. They will face Ovarense trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Lusitania will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked CAB Madeira in Funchal.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Benfica as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader’s (FC Porto) loss. Benfica smashed 7th ranked Vitoria SC in Lisbon 100-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vitoria SC. It was a good game for American guard Aaron Broussard (196-1990, college: Seattle) who led his team to a victory with 30 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Betinho Gomes contributed with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr (193-1998, college: Florida) answered with 21 points and 8 rebounds for Vitoria SC. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with FC Porto. Vitoria SC at the other side keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Povoa. There is only one round left in the Regular Season. Imortal trying to get back on the winning streak. Benfica will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Esgueira on the road.
Leader FC Porto delivered the eighteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 12th ranked Sangalhos (1-20) 91-76. Michael Finke stepped up and scored 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Nikita Kasongo with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. FC Porto maintains first place with 18-3 record, which they share with Benfica. Sangalhos lost eighth consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay dead last with 20 lost games. FC Porto will meet Ovarense (#5) on the road in the next round. Sangalhos will play against Sporting (#3) in Lisbon and hope to win that game.

Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Ovarense were defeated by Oliveirense in Oliveira 69-52. Imortal beat Povoa at home 84-80. Esgueira won against Sangalhos on the opponent’s court 87-79. CAB Madeira unfortunately lost to Sporting in a home game 84-93. Oliveirense recorded a loss to Lusitania on the road 68-83.

Oliveirense – Ovarense 69-52

Everything could happen in Oliveira at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Oliveirense and 4th placed Ovarense had identical 11-9 record. This time Oliveirense used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Ovar 69-52 on Tuesday night. Oliveirense outrebounded Ovarense 40-29 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Oliveirense made 7 blocks. American Darius Carter (201-1992, college: Wichita St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and Congolese-Central African Max Kouguere (198-1987) chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American forward Brandon Peel (201-1994, college: CCSU) with 9 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import forward Jacoby Armstrong (201-1995, college: UNH) scored 11 points. Ovarense’s coach Joao Tiago rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Oliveirense (12-9) moved-up to fourth place. Loser Ovarense dropped to the fifth position with ten games lost. Oliveirense will meet Povoa (#8) on the road in the next round. Ovarense will play against the league’s second-placed FC Porto and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Oliveirense: D.Carter 15+11reb+1ast, M.Kouguere 13+6reb+1ast, A.Hallman 11+6reb+2ast, J.Ducree 9+6reb+1ast, T.Simons 8+1reb+1ast, A.Bessa 8+1reb+2ast
Ovarense: J.Armstrong 11+3reb+1ast, B.Peel 9+7reb, A.Woods 6+1ast, N.Morais 6, F.Amiel 5+3reb+5ast, J.Robertson 5+6reb

gschID: 1001438

Imortal – Povoa 84-80

There was a small surprise in Albufeira where ninth ranked Imortal (8-13) defeated 6th ranked Povoa (9-12) 84-80 on Wednesday. Imortal forced 19 Povoa turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Marquise Moore (188-1994, college: GMU) stepped up and scored 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import guard Spencer Littleson (193-1998, college: Toledo) chipped in 20 points. The best for the losing side was American-Nigerian swingman Cameron Oluyitan (201-1997, college: SUU) with 21 points and Senegalese center Tanor Ngom (216-1998, college: FSU) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Imortal maintains ninth place with 8-13 record, which they share with Esgueira. Loser Povoa dropped to the seventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Vitoria SC. Imortal will meet higher ranked Vitoria SC (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Povoa will play against Oliveirense and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Imortal: M.Moore 26+8reb+5ast, S.Littleson 20+1reb+3ast, J.Conceicao 11+2ast, E.Watson 10+8reb+3ast, J.Ferguson 8+6reb+3ast, T.Ewuosho 5+3reb+2ast
Povoa: C.Oluyitan 21+1reb+2ast, T.Ngom 16+6reb, S.Brown 13+5reb+2ast, F.Ucles 12+4reb+3ast, N.Oliveira 8+6reb+3ast, R.Jorge 6+2reb+6ast

gschID: 1001439

Benfica – Vitoria SC 100-80

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Benfica as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader’s (FC Porto) loss. Benfica smashed 7th ranked Vitoria SC in Lisbon 100-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vitoria SC. Benfica forced 21 Vitoria SC turnovers and outrebounded them 46-27 including 31 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. Vitoria SC was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American guard Aaron Broussard (196-1990, college: Seattle) who led his team to a victory with 30 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. The former international Betinho Gomes (202-1985) contributed with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr (193-1998, college: Florida) answered with 21 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Anthony Roberts (193, college: Stony Brook, agency: Players Group) added 20 points in the effort for Vitoria SC. Four Vitoria SC players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with FC Porto. Vitoria SC at the other side keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Povoa. There is only one round left in the Regular Season. Imortal trying to get back on the winning streak. Benfica will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Esgueira on the road.
Top scorers:
Benfica: A.Broussard 30+1reb+5ast, B.Gomes 20+7reb+4ast, I.Almeida 17+8reb+5ast, T.Carter II 8+12reb+2ast, M.Ben Romdhane 8+9reb+2ast, M.Zirbes 7+1reb+2ast
Vitoria SC: P.Fleming Jr. 21+8reb+1ast, A.Roberts 20+2reb+1ast, Z.Simmons 13+6reb+1ast, P.Pinto 11+6ast, J.Van Tubbergen 9+2reb, S.Jamison 5+5reb

gschID: 1001440

Sangalhos – Esgueira 79-87

Rather expected game when 12th ranked Sangalhos (1-20) were defeated at home by tenth ranked Esgueira (8-13) 87-79 on Wednesday. American forward Ryan Ogden (193-1996, college: Southwestern) stepped up and scored 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Canadian forward Biniam Ghebrekidan (206-1996, college: Carleton) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds. Ogden is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was Cape Verdean Anderson Correia (195-1997) with 22 points and 7 rebounds and Dutch-Angolan point guard Jose Maconda (187-2001) scored 14 points and 5 assists. Four Sangalhos players scored in double figures. Esgueira moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Imortal. Sangalhos lost eighth consecutive game. Sangalhos at the other side, also newcomer in the league, stay dead last with 20 lost games. Esgueira will meet at home league’s leader Benfica in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sangalhos will play against Sporting (#3) in Lisbon and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Esgueira: R.Ogden 24+7reb+4ast, B.Ghebrekidan 15+9reb+3ast, T.Evans 14+4reb+5ast, N.Francisco 9+1ast, J.Callahan 7+2reb+3ast, L.Antonio 7+3reb+3ast
Sangalhos: C.Anderson 22+7reb+2ast, C.Cleuzio 19+3reb, J.Maconda 14+3reb+5ast, N.Kasongo 12+2reb, J.Martinho 10+3reb+3ast, L.Jeronimo 2+12reb+1ast

gschID: 1001441

CAB Madeira – Sporting 84-93

Very predictable result in Funchal where third ranked Sporting (17-4) beat 11th ranked CAB Madeira (5-16) 93-84 on Wednesday. Sporting dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to CAB Madeira’s 38. Sporting forced 19 CAB Madeira turnovers. American center Joshua Patton (203-1997, college: Sacramento St.) stepped up and scored 17 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and forward Andre Cruz (201-2002, college: UIW) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Serbian power forward Milan Milovanovic (205-1991, agency: 011 Sports) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Diogo Peixe (190-2000, agency: Promo Sport ID) scored 17 points and 6 assists. Five Sporting and four CAB Madeira players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sporting have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place with 17-4 record behind leader Benfica. Loser CAB Madeira keeps the eleventh position with 16 games lost. Sporting will meet at home bottom-ranked Sangalhos (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. CAB Madeira will play against Lusitania in Angra and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sporting: J.Patton 17+8reb, A.Cruz 14+6reb+2ast, M.LoVett Jr. 14+1reb+6ast, D.Ventura 12+3reb+5ast, E.Polanco 10+5reb+1ast, A.Monteiro 10+1reb
CAB Madeira: D.Peixe 17+3reb+6ast, M.Milovanovic 16+12reb+1ast, J.Speelman 13+2reb, M.Johnson 12+1reb+3ast, A.Cheeseman 11+4reb, N.Sa 9+8reb+2ast

gschID: 1001442

Lusitania – FC Porto 82-78

gschID: 1001443

Lusitania – Oliveirense 83-68

There was a minor upset in Angra where 5th ranked Oliveirense (12-9) was defeated by seventh ranked Lusitania (10-11) 83-68 on Tuesday. Lusitania made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Swingman Justin Edler-Davis (193-1998, college: CSUB) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and point guard Derek Jackson (187-1991, college: Kent St.) chipped in 13 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Five Lusitania players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was power forward Julien Ducree (206-1996, college: Utah Tech) with 19 points and 7 rebounds and Darius Carter (201-1992, college: Wichita St.) scored 17 points. Lusitania have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Oliveirense dropped to the fourth position with nine games lost. Lusitania will meet at home CAB Madeira (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Oliveirense will play against Povoa (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Lusitania: J.Edler-Davis 23+12reb+1ast, D.Relvao 15+2reb+2ast, D.Jackson 13+2reb+8ast, D.Geu 12+7reb+1ast, P.Oliveira 11+2reb+2ast, R.Weber 4+2reb+1ast
Oliveirense: J.Ducree 19+7reb, D.Carter 17+3reb+2ast, M.Richardson 10+4reb+6ast, A.Hallman 9+7reb+3ast, H.Barros 7+2reb+1ast, M.Kouguere 6+2reb+1ast

gschID: 1060415

FC Porto – Sangalhos 91-76

Leader FC Porto delivered the eighteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 12th ranked Sangalhos (1-20) 91-76. FC Porto forced 21 Sangalhos turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American forward Michael Finke (208-1996, college: GCU, agency: Players Group) stepped up and scored 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import Marvin Clark (201-1994, college: St.John’s, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Finke is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four FC Porto players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Canadian guard Nikita Kasongo (193-1996, college: St.Mary’s) with 26 points and 6 rebounds and Dutch-Angolan point guard Jose Maconda (187-2001) scored 7 points and 12 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. FC Porto maintains first place with 18-3 record, which they share with Benfica. Sangalhos lost eighth consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay dead last with 20 lost games. FC Porto will meet Ovarense (#5) on the road in the next round. Sangalhos will play against Sporting (#3) in Lisbon and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
FC Porto: M.Finke 29+6reb+1ast, M.Clark 22+5reb+5ast, B.Conklin 10+5reb+2ast, J.Threatt 10+2reb+4ast, J.Guerreiro 8+3reb+1ast, F.Amarante 6+2reb+2ast
Sangalhos: N.Kasongo 26+6reb, J.Martinho 13+1reb+1ast, L.Jeronimo 11+6reb+1ast, C.Anderson 7+7reb+3ast, J.Maconda 7+1reb+12ast, L.Paulo 6+6reb+2ast