Round 7 (Second Stage): Buducnost rally past Partizan

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Third defeat of league's leader Serbian Partizan (19-3) against first ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (17-5) 95-89 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Buducnost made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of French Axel Bouteille (201-1995) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds. American-Montenegrin point guard Yogi Ferrell (183-1993, college: Indiana) contributed with 16 points (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. American Shake Milton (198-1996, college: SMU) answered with 21 points and 8 rebounds for Partizan. Partizan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 17-5 record, which they share with Crvena zvezda. Defending Serbian champion Partizan still keeps top position with three games lost. They share it with Dubai. They were replaced at the leadership position by Igokea. Partizan will play next round against strong Cedevita Ol. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Buducnost will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Dubai on the road.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked UAE Dubai as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Dubai defeated their close opponent Slovenian Cedevita Ol. at home 89-84. It was a great evening for Bosnian swingman Dzanan Musa (205-1999) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points. Mfiondu Kabengele helped adding 11 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American point guard Umoja Gibson (185-1998, college: DePaul, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 17 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Partizan. Cedevita Ol. lost fifth consecutive game. Defending Slovenian champion keeps the second place with ten games lost. Cedevita Ol. will play next round against strong Partizan trying to get back on the winning streak. Dubai will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Buducnost at Podgorica.
The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of Bosnian Igokea (9-13) in Aleksandrovac on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by Serbian Crvena zvezda (17-5) 86-73. It was an exceptional evening for Stefan Miljenovic who led the winners and scored 14 points. Ahmaad Rorie came up with 17 points and 7 assists for Igokea in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Crvena zvezda have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Defending Bosnian champion Igokea still keeps top place with 13 games lost. Crvena zvezda will meet at home league's leader Cluj Napoca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play against the league's leader Bosna in Sarajevo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Zadar beat Borac on the road 67-65. Ilirija won against Split on its own court 98-84. Spartak was outscored by FMP BG in Belgrade 69-49. Derby managed to beat Vienna at home 83-72. Krka was defeated by Mega BG on the opponent's court 103-98. Cluj Napoca was beaten by Bosna in a home game 90-98.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 30 points and 10 rebounds by Bogoljub Markovic of Mega BG.

Group Play-Out

Borac CA - Zadar 65-67

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Croatian Zadar (10-13) edged 7th ranked Serbian Borac (7-17) in Cacak 67-65 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) who led the winners and scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) accounted for 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Uros Carapic (195-1996) came up with 21 points and swingman Pavle Nikolic (200-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Borac in the defeat. Defending Croatian champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Mega BG. Borac lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 17 games lost. Zadar will meet at home league's leader FMP BG in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Borac will play against Ilirija (#4) in Ljubljana and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: C.Uros 21+2reb, P.Nikolic 11+6reb+1ast, A.Uskokovic 9+1reb+2ast, N.Manojlovic 7+10reb, P.Radovic 5+3reb+2ast, M.Josilo 5+1reb+2ast
Zadar: M.Vladimir 19+5reb+2ast, M.Lovro 13+9reb+1ast, Z.Karlo 10+8reb+2ast, T.Boris 9+1reb, M.Adem 7+4reb+5ast, K.Krsevan 5+2reb

Ilirija - Split 98-84

Very expected game when 9th ranked Croatian Split (5-18) lost to fourth ranked Slovenian Ilirija (10-14) in Ljubljana 84-98 on Wednesday. Ilirija dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Split's 34. Ilirija looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for forward Tim Tomazic (199-1999) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Guard Mark Padjen (196-2006) accounted for 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. American guard Teyvon Myers (188-1994, college: WVU) came up with 19 points and 4 assists and the other American import point guard Glenn Cosey (183-1992, college: EKU) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Split in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Split's coach tested eleven players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ilirija maintains fourth place with 10-14 record. Split at the other side keeps the ninth position with 18 games lost. Ilirija will meet at home Borac (#7) in the next round. Split will play against Vienna and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Split: M.Teyvon 19+1reb+4ast, K.Vito 14+1reb+2ast, G.Cosey 13+6reb+3ast, D.Wiggins 10+7reb+1ast, A.Jordano 8+1reb+2ast, G.Anticevich 7+5reb
Ilirija: T.Tomazic 28+10reb+2ast, M.Padjen 21+5reb+8ast, M.Boban 16+9reb+2ast, P.Petar 14+3reb+5ast, K.Luka 8+2reb+5ast, F.Lovro 4+2reb+1ast

FMP BG - Spartak 69-49

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked FMP BG's (11-12) home victory over their biggest opponent Spartak (13-10) in Belgrade 69-49 on Monday. It was a key game for the top position in the league. FMP BG made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for swingman Filip Barna (201-1999) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Dusan Radosavljevic (201-2001) accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Montenegrin power forward Danilo Nikolic (206-1993) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and Stefan Momirov (198-1999) added 3 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Spartak in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. FMP BG have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-12 record. Spartak at the other side keeps the second position with ten games lost. FMP BG will meet league's second-placed Zadar on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartak will play against Krka in Novo Mesto and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Spartak: D.Nikolic 15+10reb+2ast, J.Coleman-Jones 7+1reb, O.Hanlan 7+2reb+2ast, A.Gegic 5+3reb+3ast, L.Cerovina 4+6reb+1ast, N.Rebic 3+3reb+3ast
FMP BG: B.Filip 22+5reb+5ast, S.Joshua 12+3reb+2ast, D.Radosavljevic 12+5reb+1ast, E.Christyon 8+1reb, M.Radovanovic 7, F.Rebraca 5+3reb

Derby - Vienna 83-72

There was a minor upset when 5th ranked Austrian BC Vienna (8-15) lost to eighth ranked Montenegrin Derby (6-17) in Podgorica 72-83 on Saturday. Derby forced 19 Vienna turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for power forward Aleksa Ilic (204-1996) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Nikola Pavlicevic (192-1988) accounted for 17 points for the winning side. Five Derby players scored in double figures. American-Guinean guard Souley Boum (190-1999, college: Xavier) came up with 15 points and 4 assists and Serbian center Marko Pavicevic (209-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) added 7 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Vienna in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby maintains eighth place with 6-17 record. Vienna at the other side keeps the fifth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Krka. Derby will meet at home higher ranked Mega BG (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vienna will play against Split and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vienna: S.Boum 15+1reb+4ast, C.Tekele 13+1reb+1ast, S.Hunter 12+5reb+1ast, M.Pavicevic 7+10reb+1ast, S.Jarumbauskas 5+9reb+2ast, R.Mahalbasic 5+5reb
Derby: P.Nikola 17+1reb+3ast, I.Aleksa 13+10reb+4ast, D.Mateo 11+4reb+2ast, S.Nikola 10, D.Jyare 10+4reb+1ast, J.Darius 10+3ast

Mega BG - Krka 103-98

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Serbian Mega BG's (10-13) home victory over 5th ranked Slovenian Krka (8-15) in Belgrade 103-98 on Monday. Mega BG made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. Mega BG had a 27-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds. Nikola Djurisic (203-2004) accounted for 19 points and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winning side. Four Mega BG players scored in double figures. American center Sukhmail Mathon (208-1998, college: Boston U.) came up with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and point guard Niko Bacvic (191-1997) added 15 points and 5 assists respectively for Krka in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mega BG moved-up to second place, which they share with Zadar. Krka at the other side keeps the fifth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Vienna. Mega BG will meet Derby (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Krka will play against the league's second-placed Spartak and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Krka: S.Mathon 23+7reb+4ast, N.Bacvic 15+2reb+5ast, S.Zak 11+1reb+4ast, L.Urbiha 9+3reb+1ast, L.Santelj 9+3reb, K.Brantley 8+2reb+2ast
Mega BG: B.Markovic 30+10reb+3ast, D.Nikola 19+3reb+6ast, S.Luigi 14+7reb+1ast, D.Savo 14+4reb+4ast, A.Siby 9+3reb+1ast, U.Kroflic 7+5reb+8ast

Group Top 8

Dubai - Cedevita Ol. 89-84

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked UAE Dubai as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Dubai defeated their close opponent Slovenian Cedevita Ol. at home 89-84. Dubai players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a great evening for Bosnian swingman Dzanan Musa (205-1999) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points. Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele (207-1997, college: FSU) helped adding 11 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American point guard Umoja Gibson (185-1998, college: DePaul, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 17 points and 8 assists and the other American import Matt Hurt (206-2000, college: Duke) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Partizan. Cedevita Ol. lost fifth consecutive game. Defending Slovenian champion keeps the second place with ten games lost. Cedevita Ol. will play next round against strong Partizan trying to get back on the winning streak. Dubai will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Buducnost at Podgorica.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: M.Hurt 20+6reb, U.Gibson 17+2reb+8ast, T.Kennedy 12+5reb+1ast, D.Skara 9+3reb+3ast, O.Jaramaz 9+2ast, A.Nikolic 7+2reb+1ast
Dubai: M.Dzanan 24+2reb+3ast, A.Awudu 15+3reb, K.Mfiondu 11+8reb+1ast, A.Justin 8+4reb+6ast, B.Davis 7+2reb+1ast, A.Aleksa 7+2reb+4ast

Igokea - Crvena zvezda 73-86

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of Bosnian Igokea (9-13) in Aleksandrovac on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by Serbian Crvena zvezda (17-5) 86-73. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Canadian-Serbian guard Stefan Miljenovic (190-2001, college: Slippery Rock) who led the winners and scored 14 points. Nigerian Chima Moneke (198-1995, college: UC Davis) accounted for 10 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Ahmaad Rorie (186-1995, college: Montana) came up with 17 points and 7 assists and Serbian swingman Marko Jeremic (192-1991) added 13 points (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for Igokea in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Crvena zvezda have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Defending Bosnian champion Igokea still keeps top place with 13 games lost. Crvena zvezda will meet at home league's leader Cluj Napoca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play against the league's leader Bosna in Sarajevo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Igokea: A.Rorie 17+3reb+7ast, J.Marko 13+2reb+2ast, J.Bess 8+3reb+2ast, N.Popovic 8+3reb+1ast, A.Lazic 7+3reb+1ast, N.Music 6+3reb+4ast
Crvena zvezda: M.Stefan 14+3reb+3ast, R.Jasiel 11+2reb, D.Dejan 10+3reb+1ast, M.Chima 10+6reb+3ast, B.Jared 9+1reb+5ast, D.Yago 9+2reb+6ast

Buducnost - Partizan 95-89

Third defeat of league's leader Serbian Partizan (19-3) against first ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (17-5) 95-89 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Buducnost made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of French Axel Bouteille (201-1995) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds. American-Montenegrin point guard Yogi Ferrell (183-1993, college: Indiana) contributed with 16 points (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. American Shake Milton (198-1996, college: SMU) answered with 21 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import Sterling Brown (197-1995, college: SMU) added 19 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Partizan. Five Buducnost and four Partizan players scored in double figures. Partizan's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 17-5 record, which they share with Crvena zvezda. Defending Serbian champion Partizan still keeps top position with three games lost. They share it with Dubai. They were replaced at the leadership position by Igokea. Partizan will play next round against strong Cedevita Ol. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Buducnost will try to continue on its current victory against first ranked Dubai on the road.
Top scorers:
Partizan: S.Milton 21+8reb+3ast, S.Brown 19+5reb+3ast, C.Jones 11+3ast, I.Bonga 10+4reb+2ast, A.Lakic 9+4reb+2ast, D.Osetkowski 8+2reb
Buducnost: B.Axel 19+7reb, B.Jerry 16+6reb+1ast, F.Yogi 16+4reb+3ast, M.Skylar 15+1reb+3ast, S.Rasheed 13+2reb+5ast, T.Nikola 7+5reb

Cluj Napoca - Bosna S. 90-98

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Romanian Cluj Napoca (13-9) lost at home to first ranked Bosnian Bosna (10-12) 98-90 on Sunday. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bosna shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 56.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for center Miralem Halilovic (205-1991) who led the winners and scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Puerto Rican Alfonso Plummer (185-1997, college: Illinois) accounted for 12 points for the winning side. American point guard Daron Russell (180-1998, college: Maryland) came up with 23 points and 7 assists and Serbian center Dusan Miletic (213-1998) added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for Cluj Napoca in the defeat. Five Bosna and four Cluj Napoca players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Bosna maintains first place with 10-12 record which they share with defeated Cluj Napoca. Defending Romanian champion Cluj Napoca still keeps top position with nine games lost. Bosna will meet at home league's leader Igokea in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cluj Napoca will play against Crvena zvezda in Belgrade and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cluj Napoca: D.Russell 23+2reb+7ast, M.Creek 16+3reb, I.Molinar 14+4ast, D.Miletic 13+8reb+4ast, J.Taylor 8+1reb+1ast, N.Ceaser 7+5reb+1ast
Bosna S.: K.Petar 13+2reb, H.Miralem 12+7reb+1ast, P.Alfonso 12+4reb+3ast, C.Dontay 12+1reb+5ast, Y.Michael 12+1reb+2ast, S.Djoko 12+4reb+2ast