Saturday night in FEB action, it continued to be teams jockeying for playoff position, as Hanzevast moved back into the 5th spot in the FEB, but both Upstairs Weert and ZZ Leiden suffered costly losses.

Hanzevast Capitals bounced back after a Tuesday night disappointing home loss to Landstede by winning on the road in Den Helder over Den Helder Seals by the score of 93-82. Hanzevast, still missing three players due to injury, were led in scoring by Kevin Melson (199-F-78, college: Wright St.) with 27 pts., and Alton Mason (185-G-77, agency: Court Side, college: Arizona St.) added 19. J.R. Duffey (201-F/G-84, agency: Court Side, college: Niagara) led all scorers with 28 pts.

In Bergen-op-Zoom, West-Brabant Giants also bounced back from a tough loss, dealing one instead to an Upstairs Weert team seeking to make the playoffs, winning in a close batle 71-67. Tim Blue (206-F-84, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Middle Tenn.St.) led West-Brabant with 15 pts. and 11 rebounds. The Giants also dominated the glass at a 49-35 advantage. The win improves West-Brabant Giants'record to 25-12 and kept Matrixx Magixx from gaining ground in the FEB standings.

In Leiden, Matrixx Magixx spoiled ZZ Leiden's chance to distance themselves in the 8th playoff spot from Upstairs Weert by remaining on its quest for higher playoff seeding, winning its 4th straight with a 91-81 win. Todd Abernethy (185-G-84, college: Mississippi) led five Matrixx players in double figures with 21 pts. and dished out 6 assists. Tyler Smith (203-F-80, agency: Players Group, college: Penn St.) added a double-double with 17 pts. and 11 rebounds. Matrixx remains one game out of 2nd place in the FEB standings.

The serbian coach of Arena Amman Nenad Hrvoic gave us few minutes of his time to answer some questions to keep fans following up whats going on inside the club adding to the coach's thoughts ,opinions and about himself ....

1- Tell us in few words about yourself.
* I started my coaching career during last year of my playing career, and I have been in the same time player in the men's team and coach of Youth program in Belgrade(Serbia).Next few years I spent coaching in the several Serbian clubs with all age categories and also in the Youth development program of Serbian federation. Beside that I was trying to use opportunities to improve myself as a coach participating in seminars and clinics and learning from the best European and Yugoslavian coaches. Two seasons I have been coaching in Cyprus (2004-2006) and from beginning of 2006 I became a part of coaching staff in JBF as a Youth National team coach and lecturer in Academy for coaches. I got FIBA coaching license as one of the youngest coaches and now I have almost 4 years of International experience.
Privately I am married and in next few months we are expecting a new member in our family.

2- How did you find the season this year?
* I think season 2007/2008 is showing good quality level in general, bringing many excited games especially in the Final Four round and play-off semifinals as well as Cup competition. In my opinion we will have chance to see lot of excitement in the final games.Beside that I have to mention that the other Youth competitions (U-14 to U-20) are showing very competitive leagues and player's improvement. Unfortunately many players got injured this season and I wish to them to recover soon and to help their teams.

3- In which level you think the league in Jordan reached between Asia in general ?
* Honestly I couldn't see many games from the other regional competitions and the only I saw is International tournaments in West Asia. But regarding to the achievements from the best Jordanian clubs and specially results of Jordan National team we can say that league in Jordan is yearly improving and reaching higher level.

4- Are you happy from what Arena did in the league despite the financial problems around the team in general?
* We must be all proud and happy with season and performances from Arena club. I say that because nobody expected from us to make very good record this season. So if we look at the situation how team started to prepare for the league I have to be very satisfied. Despite all the problems we had I must say that guys did great job and work hard as a team with big effort to improve themselves and put their qualities in the right directions. I am very satisfied and it was great experience for me as a coach to work with these players. They are very good players with excellent personalities and character.

5- Do you feel that Arena can snatch the 3rd place in their series against Al Riyadi/Aramex Amman?
* Yes, off course. Until now we met many times in the league and Cup competition, so we know each other. Riyadi club have very good and young team with big potential and for sure they will fight for the 3.place. Anyhow we will see good games.

6- How do you evaluate the imports with you until now?
* I was very satisfied with choice we made and they help the team to play really good basketball and to reach high level in the league. Both of them (Josh Cooperwood (193-G-80, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Tennessee St.) and Mark Strickland (208-F/C-70, college: Temple)) are very good players and guys with professional attitude, also good personalities. Kevin Jolley (197-F-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Quinnipiac) joined us late but he was good support for the team. Beside them and their attitude on the trainings and games, other local players improved their level this season.

7- What about the locals?
* I saw many players' improvement this season not only from club I am coaching. They played in higher level with better performances. Probably long term and good program they had in the National team helped them a lot to reach that level. In my team we could see some of them with much better season than before and that makes me very happy.

8- What are your plans for next season? Will you remain working with the Jordanian Federation or you will look somewhere else?
* I am very happy and satisfied with my work in JBF and excellent working atmosphere from all the people responsible to run basketball in Jordan. We have many things to do in coming period with National teams programs and also Academy for coaches and beside that many International tournaments. I enjoy the time with all the coaching staff and board members on building good projects for future, and I like to thank for the effort from the technical staff helping us to do it easier.

9- In your opinion, Who is nearer from the league's title this year?
* It will be very good Final round and both teams have their chance to grab the title. I would like to see more close games in the Final series like last season and also lot of spectators in the gym. Really in this moment I do not know which team will have more chances, so I just wish them good games and nice event for the fans.

10- Last word to Jordanian fans....
* First of all I would like to say that I am very happy in Jordan with people and their hospitality. Jordanian basketball will become much better and more popular in the country, not only in Amman,also in other centers because of good development program of JBF.

I think in the future we can expect more great results from the clubs and National team on the International competition and more young kids involved in the game.
Also thank you for following and supporting basketball in general and updating us with news and basketball events around the world.

HBK Prievidza released American center Tahric Gosley (203-F-80, college: Cleveland St.). He was released after just seven games with 3.7 point per game.

Casta SPU Nitra manager Juraj Polak step out from his position due to bad results of the team. Nitra fighting for play off spot now. In last two years finished in quaterfinal series.

MBK Rieker Komarno will play without starting five point guard Peter Ivanovic (183-G-79) still. He is out from late february becasue broken rib.

Mark Flavin (211-F/C-82, college: Maine) replaces temporarily injured Kamil Pietras (209-F/C-88) at the BC Lugano Tigers. The forward/center arrives from Uruguay where he played for Union Atletica.

Lausanne Morges Basket won't be having Alvaro Calvo (198-F-83) back this season, he is injured and will be sidelined for some time.

Eric Edougue (196-F-79, college: Saginaw Valley) will be also out for the rest of the season.In 15 games he averaged 7,0 ppg and 6,9 rpg for Vevey Riviera Basket.

Diego Martins (184-G-85) also out with astress fracture in Sion Herens Basket, he returned home to Brazil for medical treatment.

Sevag Keucheyan (178-G-78, agency: HM Sports Agency) out probably until the play-offs at Bernex Onex Basket due to a stress facture in his foot.

Flavio Dal Molin (189-F-86) left Chene BC after transferring from Meyrin Grand-Saconnex Basket to Chene BC.
Ivorian Franck Flegbo (192-F-79) is injured in Chene BC and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Pascal Schuler (188-G-87) won't be available for the Wildcats in Zurich due to an injury and is out until the end of this season.
He averaged 12,5 ppg and 1,8 apg for Zurich.

Antoine Grandjean (188-G/F-88) is out due to torn ligaments in Meyrin Grand-Saconnex Basket, they called up Volodia Dupraz (187-G-90) from the junior-team as his replacement.

Vevey Riviera Basket and Damen Maddox (205-C-76, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: Florida) parted aways. The American post player averaged 15,4 ppg and 9,0 rpg in 16 games for Vevey.
His replacements are center Sean McKeon (208-F/C) who arrives from the States where played for the Kutztown University and forward Joseph Barber (202-F/C-83, college: NC-Asheville) who arrives from England where he played for the Derby County Trailblazers in the EBL (26,5 ppg and 10,5 rpg).

Gatos de Monagas puts a check point, helped for their best cats as Alejandro Flores (201-F,college: E.Oklahoma St. JC) and Ernesto Mijares (190-G-76, college: Mc Clennan CC) pull over the Blue Express.
Alejandro Flores made 27 points and catches 16 rebounds to stop Trotamundos de Carabobo.
Gatos and Trotamundos are leaders of the classification, first and second spot. The first month of tournament is gone, Gatos as well as Trotamundos have been trying to keep the leadership.
Gatos defeat Trotamundos 98 - 93.

Today(03/31/2008) they are facing once again to finally define which team is taking the leadership... so far.

Jermaine Watson (193-G-81, college: Boston Coll.) and Alberto Ozuna, both flew out to Maracaibo to put some respect as a shooting guard and point guard in Gaiteros.
Jermaine was the best man in the 2008 FIBA tournament and Mexico superior basketball league. In USA, Jermaine is the main offence piece of Miami Tropics.
'If we talk about loyalty, hard work, and discipline, we are talking about Jermaine Watson' Coach Pilin Alvarez (Miami Tropics).

Alberto Ozuna (182-G-82), Dominican Republic National Team's point guard and San Pedro de Macoris BBC's Most Valuable Player over the Dominican Republic Superior Basketball Tournament

'I am in my best moment and why not share it with Gaiteros Del Zulia' Alberto Ozuna