ABA League Round 5 (Regular Season): Zadar keeps a leadership position

The round was exceptionally exciting as three games ended with a tiny margin. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Croatian Zadar as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Zadar smashed leader Slovenian Ilirija at home 95-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Zadar dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Ilirija's 26. Zadar forced 19 Ilirija turnovers. Power forward Lovro Buljevic (210-1998) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Bosnian-Croatian forward Dario Dreznjak (204-1998) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) responded with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 7 other teams. Ilirija at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Ilirija will play next round against league's leader Derby trying to get back on the winning streak. Zadar will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Dubai on the road.
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Bosnian Siroki (3-1) in Siroki Brijeg. Hosts were defeated by Slovakian Slovan (2-2) 98-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Siroki. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Tray Buchanan (187-1998, college: Emporia St.) nailed 24 points for the winning side and Trevon Bluiett accounted for 14 points. Guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) came up with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for Siroki in the defeat. Slovan maintains first place with 2-2 record, which they share with 7 other teams. Siroki at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Slovan will play against league's leader Krka in Novo Mesto in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Siroki will play on the road against the league's leader Crvena zvezda in Belgrade and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Quite upsetting was Slovenian Cedevita Ol.'s home defeat in a game versus Montenegrin Buducnost 95-81. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was Justin Smith who scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Rihards Lomazs produced 18 points for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 3-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with 7 other teams. Buducnost will meet at home league's second-placed Borac in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cedevita Ol. will play against the league's leader FMP BG and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: FMP BG lost to Borac on the opponent's court 87-95. Igokea unfortunately lost to Crvena zvezda in a home game 80-81. Winless Krka recorded a loss to Cibona on the road 84-99. Bosna lost to undefeated Dubai on its own court 83-93. Partizan beat Spartak in Belgrade 82-80. Vienna lost to Mega BG at home 88-94. Cluj Napoca outscored Derby on the opponent's court 100-78.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 16 points and 5 rebounds by Christian Bishop of Cluj Napoca.

Group Group A

Siroki - Slovan 91-98:
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Bosnian Siroki (3-1) in Siroki Brijeg. Hosts were defeated by Slovakian Slovan (2-2) 98-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Siroki. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Slovan players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Tray Buchanan (187-1998, college: Emporia St.) nailed 24 points for the winning side and guard Trevon Bluiett (198-1994, college: Xavier) accounted for 14 points. Guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) came up with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and swingman Chavaughn Lewis (194-1993, college: Marist) added 24 points and 6 assists respectively for Siroki in the defeat. Five Slovan and four Siroki players scored in double figures. Slovan maintains first place with 2-2 record, which they share with 7 other teams. Siroki at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Slovan will play against league's leader Krka in Novo Mesto in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Siroki will play on the road against the league's leader Crvena zvezda in Belgrade and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siroki: C.Lewis 24+4reb+6ast, T.Persons 23+5reb+7ast, J.Bilinovac 13+1reb, J.Ola-Joseph 10+4reb+2ast, M.Bosnjak 8+3reb, K.Zganec 7+5reb+3ast
Slovan: B.Tray 24+2reb+2ast, D.Mateo 18+1reb, B.Trevon 14+3reb+2ast, B.Desure 11+3reb+3ast, S.Brady 11+3reb+2ast, F.Quincy 10+4reb+1ast

Borac CA - FMP BG 95-87:
Everything could happen in Cacak at the game between two tied teams. Both second ranked Borac and leader FMP BG had identical 2-1 record. This time Borac used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Belgrade 95-87 on Friday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Borac looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American Kahliel Spear (200-2000, college: RMU) who scored 24 points and 9 rebounds. point guard Jovan Novak (191-1994) chipped in 6 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. American swingman Jamiya Neal (196-2003, college: Creighton) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Marko Kovacevic (202-1999) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Four Borac and five FMP BG players scored in double figures. FMP BG's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Borac have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser FMP BG still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with 7 other teams. Borac will meet league's leader Buducnost in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FMP BG will play against the league's leader Cedevita Ol. in Ljubljana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
FMP BG: M.Kovacevic 17+3reb+2ast, J.Neal 17+6reb+4ast, A.Stanojevic 11+2reb, B.Rush 11+2ast, N.Rebic 11+4reb+7ast, F.Rebraca 10+6reb
Borac CA: S.Kahliel 24+9reb+3ast, R.Marko 15+2reb+2ast, S.Ranko 13+9reb, C.Uros 10+2reb+2ast, R.Anthony 10+1reb, D.Curcic 8+1reb+1ast

Igokea - Crvena zvezda 80-81:
There was a small surprise in Aleksandrovac where first ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (3-1) edged their close opponent Bosnian Igokea (1-3) 81-80 on Saturday. Crvena zvezda made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Jared Butler (191-1999, college: Baylor) who scored 15 points and 4 assists. His fellow American import guard Tyson Carter (193-1998, college: MSU) chipped in 18 points. Serbian guard Lazar Stefanovic (201-2002, college: UCLA, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Nate Pierre-Louis (193-1998, college: Temple) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Crvena zvezda have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 3-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Igokea lost third consecutive game. They still keep top position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Crvena zvezda will meet at home league's leader Siroki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play against the league's leader Cibona in Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Igokea: L.Stefanovic 18+5reb+4ast, N.Pierre-Louis 14+2reb+4ast, H.Delalic 12+2reb+1ast, R.Penn 10+5ast, P.Kovacevic 8+5reb+4ast, N.Manojlovic 7+3reb
Crvena zvezda: C.Tyson 18+1reb+2ast, B.Jared 15+4reb+4ast, D.Ognjen 12+4reb+3ast, M.Chima 10+7reb+3ast, M.Johnathan 8+6reb+3ast, O.Semi 5+1ast

Cedevita Ol. - Buducnost 81-95:
Quite upsetting was Slovenian Cedevita Ol.'s home defeat in a game versus Montenegrin Buducnost 95-81. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Buducnost made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Buducnost outrebounded Cedevita Ol. 39-25 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Buducnost looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American Justin Smith (201-1999, college: Arkansas) who scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Panamanian guard Iverson Molinar (193-1999, college: MSU) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. Five Buducnost players scored in double figures. Latvian guard Rihards Lomazs (189-1996) produced 18 points and American Matt Hurt (206-2000, college: Duke) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 3-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with 7 other teams. Buducnost will meet at home league's second-placed Borac in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cedevita Ol. will play against the league's leader FMP BG and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: R.Lomazs 18+3reb+2ast, M.Hurt 15+4reb+1ast, U.Kroflic 10+3reb+4ast, N.Kirkwood 9+2reb+2ast, D.Skara 8+4reb, J.Gainey 7
Buducnost: M.Iverson 16+1reb+5ast, S.Justin 16+9reb+2ast, M.Fletcher 12+2reb+2ast, D.Stefan 11+5reb+1ast, M.Juwan 10+6reb, K.Oleksandr 10+2reb+7ast

Cibona - Krka 99-84:
Everything could happen in Zagreb at the game between two tied teams. Both first ranked Croatian Cibona and their close opponent Slovenian Krka had identical 0-3 record. This time Cibona used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Novo Mesto 99-84 on Friday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Cibona shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 57.1 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Rickey McGill (188-1997, college: Iona) who scored 21 points and 4 assists. Roko Badzim (194-1997) chipped in 16 points. Four Cibona players scored in double figures. American point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG, agency: Slash Sports) produced 22 points and 6 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and forward Blaz Mahkovic (201-1990, agency: Interperformances) added 15 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Croatian champion maintains first place with 1-3 record, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Krka's fourth loss in a row. They still keep top with four games lost. They share the position with Derby. Cibona will meet at home league's leader Igokea in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play against the league's leader Slovan in Bratislava and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Krka: D.Baldwin 22+2reb+6ast, B.Mahkovic 15+4reb+3ast, G.Smith 15+4reb, U.Sikanic 8+3reb+1ast, J.Rebec 6+1reb+2ast, D.Bozic 6+2reb+2ast
Cibona: M.Rickey 21+3reb+4ast, B.Roko 16+3reb+3ast, G.Lovro 13+3reb+1ast, S.Renato 12+1reb+1ast, M.Lovro 11+7reb+3ast, S.Antonio 10+2reb+2ast

Group Group B

Bosna - Dubai 83-93:
There was a small surprise in Sarajevo where leader UAE Dubai (4-0) beat their close opponent Bosnian Bosna (2-2) 93-83 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele (208-1997, college: FSU) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Serbian center Filip Petrusev (211-2000, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Reggie Perry (208-2000, college: MSU) produced 20 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard DeAndre Gholston (195-2000, college: Missouri) added 18 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Dubai have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record, which they share with Partizan. Defending Bosnian champion Bosna still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with 7 other teams. Dubai will meet at home league's leader Zadar in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bosna will play against the league's leader Vienna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bosna: R.Perry 20+9reb+2ast, D.Gholston 18+2reb, P.Pipes 11+1reb+1ast, E.Atic 10+5reb+4ast, G.Browne 7+1reb, D.Talic 5+5reb+4ast
Dubai: K.Mfiondu 17+10reb+1ast, K.Kosta 17+2ast, P.Filip 13+8reb+1ast, O.Elie 12+2reb+8ast, D.Mamadi 8+1reb, D.Nemanja 7+2reb+1ast

Spartak - Partizan 80-82:
We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Subotica where leader Spartak (2-2) was edged by leader Partizan (4-0) 82-80 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican-American guard Ethan Thompson (193-1999, college: Oregon St.) who scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Central African-American center Kevarrius Hayes (206-1997, college: Florida) chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds. Montenegrin power forward Danilo Nikolic (206-1993) produced 19 points and Montenegrin point guard Igor Drobnjak (188-2000) added 12 points and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Partizan have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Dubai. Defending Serbian champion Spartak still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with 7 other teams. Partizan will meet at home league's leader Cluj Napoca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartak will play against the league's second-placed Mega BG in Belgrade and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Spartak: D.Nikolic 19+4reb+1ast, I.Drobnjak 12+7ast, D.Ilic 9+6reb, A.Omic 8+4reb+1ast, A.Gegic 8+3reb+1ast, J.Pipkins 7+2reb+2ast
Partizan: T.Ethan 23+5reb+3ast, H.Kevarrius 11+5reb, R.Antonio 11+3ast, A.Kyle 9+2reb+5ast, T.Nikola 8+3reb, L.Joffrey 6+3reb

Zadar - Ilirija 95-70:
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Croatian Zadar as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Zadar smashed leader Slovenian Ilirija at home 95-70. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Zadar dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Ilirija's 26. Zadar forced 19 Ilirija turnovers. Power forward Lovro Buljevic (210-1998) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Bosnian-Croatian forward Dario Dreznjak (204-1998) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. Five Zadar players scored in double figures. American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) responded with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Vit Hrabar (204-2006) scored 14 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. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 7 other teams. Ilirija at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Ilirija will play next round against league's leader Derby trying to get back on the winning streak. Zadar will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Dubai on the road.
Top scorers:
Ilirija: C.Shelton 15+5reb+5ast, V.Hrabar 14+5reb+1ast, B.Gabrijel 12, C.Hargrove 9+4reb+1ast, J.Copot 7+5reb+1ast, H.Dean 4+5reb
Zadar: B.Lovro 15+5reb+1ast, D.Dario 15+5reb+1ast, S.Niko 14+3reb+3ast, V.Ivan 12+4reb+1ast, O.Mark 11+7reb+1ast, K.Krsevan 11+1reb+1ast

Vienna - Mega BG 88-94:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both second ranked Serbian Mega BG and leader Austrian BC Vienna had identical 1-2 record. But BC Vienna was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Belgrade 94-88 on Saturday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Mega BG dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to BC Vienna's 30 and made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was guard Andrej Lucic (188-2007) who scored 25 points and 5 rebounds. Center Pavle Backo (211-2007) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. Four Mega BG players scored in double figures. American guard Grant Sherfield (188-1999, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 25 points and 5 assists and Serbian forward Aleksa Novakovic (200-1996, college: EIU) added 17 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mega BG (2-2) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 7 other teams. Loser BC Vienna still keeps top place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Mega BG will meet at home league's leader Spartak in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Vienna will play against the league's leader Bosna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vienna: G.Sherfield 25+3reb+5ast, A.Novakovic 17+4reb+2ast, R.Gunn 13+7reb+3ast, B.Njie 9+2reb+4ast, L.Kures 7, A.Langovic 5+4reb+2ast
Mega BG: L.Andrej 25+5reb+2ast, B.Pavle 19+9reb+1ast, S.Ognjen 16+6reb+4ast, P.Luka 14+4reb+1ast, B.Mihailo 9+3reb+3ast, N.Ognjen 3+3reb+1ast

Derby - Cluj Napoca 78-100:
Rather expected game in Podgorica where 3rd placed Montenegrin Derby (0-4) was crushed by first ranked Romanian Cluj Napoca (2-2) 100-78 on Friday. Cluj Napoca dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Derby's 38. Cluj Napoca looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Derby's players. The best player for the winners was American center Christian Bishop (201-1999, college: Texas) who scored 16 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). His fellow American import Jalyn McCreary (203-2000, college: Mercer, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Cluj Napoca players scored in double figures. Serbian point guard Aleksa Uskokovic (190-1999) produced 19 points and Croatian guard Antonio Jordano (191-1999) added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Romanian champion maintains first place with 2-2 record, which they share with 7 other teams. Loser Derby still keeps top with four games lost. They share the position with Krka. Cluj Napoca will meet league's second-placed Partizan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Derby will play against the league's leader Ilirija and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Derby: A.Uskokovic 19+1reb+1ast, A.Jordano 16+2reb, J.Davis 9+2reb+1ast, F.Andjusic 8+3reb+2ast, N.Saranovic 6+3reb+1ast, A.Wesson 6+6reb+1ast
Cluj Napoca: B.Christian 16+5reb+3ast, L.Otis 16+2reb+2ast, H.Malcolm 15+1ast, M.Jalyn 12+6reb+4ast, B.Javon 9+1ast, S.Ja'Vonte 8+2reb