Overview of Round 5 of Regular Season

Basketball Champions League is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 5 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Belgian Antwerp Giants (2-1) in Salo on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Finnish Vilpas (1-2) 77-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Antwerp Giants. Vilpas made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. American forward Karl Chavis (198-2001, college: Young Harris, agency: Players Group) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Jarred Godfrey (196-2000, college: PFW) contributed with 21 points and 9 assists for the winners. Vincent Kesteloot (198-1995) answered with 15 points and 8 rebounds for Antwerp. Antwerp Giants' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Finnish champion left bottom position moving up to third place, which they share with 9 other teams. Antwerp at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 12 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another exciting game for Greek AEK (2-1) which played on the court of Hungarian Szombathely (1-2). Second ranked AEK won 72-66. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American guard Frank Bartley IV (191-1994, college: Louisiana) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 assists for the winners and Nelly Joseph chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. AEK's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Zoltan Perl (195-1995) responded with 18 points and 6 rebounds. AEK keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Defending Hungarian champion Szombathely keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Utena between Lithuanian Juventus and Czech Pardubice. Second ranked Juventus (2-1) got a very close home victory over 4th placed Pardubice (0-3). Juventus managed to escape with a 3-point win 98-95 on Tuesday evening. Tevian Jones nailed 24 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Trey Bonham came up with 30 points for Pardubice in the defeat. Juventus keep a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Loser Pardubice still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: Cibona was smashed by Strasbourg on the road 95-70. FC Porto lost to undefeated Joventut on its own court 64-81. Reggio Emilia lost to undefeated Unicaja in Malaga 94-99. Legia managed to beat Galatasaray at home 79-72. Winless Bnei Hertzeliya was defeated by Bonn on the opponent's court 101-89.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 23 points by Joel-Sadu Aminu of Bonn.



Vilpas - Antwerp 77-69:
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Belgian Antwerp Giants (2-1) in Salo on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Finnish Vilpas (1-2) 77-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Antwerp Giants. Vilpas made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. American forward Karl Chavis (198-2001, college: Young Harris, agency: Players Group) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Jarred Godfrey (196-2000, college: PFW) contributed with 21 points and 9 assists for the winners. Four Vilpas players scored in double figures. Vincent Kesteloot (198-1995) answered with 15 points and 8 rebounds and DR Congolese-Belgian power forward Kevin Tumba (206-1991) added 10 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Antwerp. Antwerp Giants' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Finnish champion left bottom position moving up to third place, which they share with 9 other teams. Antwerp at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 12 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Vilpas: C.Karl 23+5reb+3ast, G.Jarred 21+9ast, J.D.J. 13+11reb+2ast, A.Mikael 12+4reb+1ast, I.Eero 4+6reb+1ast, L.Riku 4+4reb
Antwerp: V.Kesteloot 15+8reb+1ast, N.Pack 11+2reb+4ast, K.Tumba 10+9reb, N.Coleman 9+4reb+2ast, C.Edwards 8+1reb+1ast, J.Murray 7+1reb+5ast

Juventus - Pardubice 98-95:
A very close game took place in Utena between Lithuanian Juventus and Czech Pardubice. Second ranked Juventus (2-1) got a very close home victory over 4th placed Pardubice (0-3). Juventus managed to escape with a 3-point win 98-95 on Tuesday evening. Juventus forced 21 Pardubice turnovers and outrebounded them 42-27 including 16 on the offensive glass. Juventus looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American guard Tevian Jones (201-2000, college: SUU) nailed 24 points and 4 assists for the winning side and Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) accounted for 20 points and 9 rebounds. American point guard Trey Bonham (183-2002, college: Chattanooga) came up with 30 points and the other American import guard Jamonda Bryant Jr (185-2000, college: Norfolk St.) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for Pardubice in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Juventus keep a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Loser Pardubice still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Juventus: J.Tevian 24+4reb+4ast, N.Emmanuel 20+9reb+2ast, S.Dziugas 15+3reb+2ast, B.Laurynas 10+4reb+9ast, H.Chase 8+4reb+3ast, P.Jack 6+4reb+6ast
Pardubice: T.Bonham 30+3reb+2ast, J.Bryant Jr. 19+2reb+4ast, L.Kovar 11+6reb+1ast, J.Tuma 10+1reb+6ast, A.Lukes 9+1ast, I.Davidson 8+4reb+1ast

Strasbourg - Cibona 95-70:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both first ranked French SIG Strasbourg and second-ranked Croatian Cibona had identical 1-1 record. This time SIG Strasbourg used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Zagreb 95-70 on Tuesday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Strasbourg made 7 blocks. Swingman Neftali Difuidi-Walokwa (193-2001) nailed 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and American guard Jaylen Hands (191-1999, college: UCLA, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 22 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Five SIG Strasbourg players scored in double figures. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) came up with 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and American power forward Tre Mitchell (206-2000, college: Kentucky) added 6 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Cibona in the defeat. Cibona's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Strasbourg maintains first place with 2-1 record, which they share with 12 other teams. Defending Croatian champion Cibona dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Strasbourg: D.Neftali 23+8reb+6ast, H.Jaylen 22+6reb+8ast, C.Tymu 14+2reb, M.Justin 11+3reb+4ast, A.Samuel 10+4reb, G.Ben 10+5reb
Cibona: L.Mazalin 19+7reb+3ast, K.Hepa 13+1reb, R.Badzim 10+1reb+5ast, R.McGill 7+2reb+8ast, T.Mitchell 6+10reb+2ast, V.Bart 5

FC Porto - Joventut 64-81:
Rather expected game when 3rd placed Portuguese FC Porto (1-2) lost at home to leader Spanish Joventut (3-0) 81-64 on Tuesday. Joventut shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 53.3 percentage. Argentinian guard Nicolas Laprovittola (190-1990) nailed 23 points for the winning side and forward Alejandro Reyes (202-1993) accounted for 12 points. Angolan point guard Childe Dundao (169-1998) came up with 11 points and 5 assists and American Xeyrius Williams (206-1997, college: Akron, agency: Players Group) added 10 points respectively for FC Porto in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Joventut have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 3-0 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Portuguese champion FC Porto keeps the third position with two games lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Joventut: L.Nicolas 23+1reb+2ast, R.Alejandro 12+3reb+2ast, R.Nikola 11+2reb, C.Kwan 8+6reb+2ast, S.Emir 7+6reb, K.Yannick 7+4reb+1ast
FC Porto: C.Dundao 11+1reb+5ast, X.Williams 10+3reb+1ast, T.Bropleh 9+3reb, G.Delgado 9+5reb, C.Allen-Williams 8+2reb+1ast, T.Omlid 5+4reb+2ast

Unicaja - Reggio Emilia 99-94:
Rather predictable result when leader Spanish Unicaja (3-0) won against 3rd placed Italian Reggio Emilia (1-2) in Malaga 99-94 on Tuesday. Unicaja looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. French Amine Noua (202-1997) nailed 27 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and American-Montenegrin point guard Kendrick Perry (183-1992, college: YSU) accounted for 17 points and 9 assists. American Jaylen Barford (191-1996, college: Arkansas) came up with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Colombian center Jaime Echenique (211-1997, college: Wichita St.) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Reggio Emilia in the defeat. Four Reggio Emilia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Unicaja have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 3-0 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Reggio Emilia keeps the third position with two games lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Unicaja: N.Amine 27+5reb+1ast, T.Matt 20+3reb+2ast, P.Kendrick 17+3reb+9ast, K.Tyler 9+3reb+2ast, K.David 8+5reb, B.Ignas 7+1reb
Reggio Emilia: J.Barford 22+7reb+4ast, R.Visconti 15+2reb+2ast, J.Thor 14+4reb, J.Echenique 12+7reb+1ast, L.Severini 11+3reb+1ast, T.Woldetensae 9+2reb+2ast

Legia - Galatasaray 79-72:
Everything could happen in Warszawa at the game between two tied teams. Both third ranked Polish Legia and second-ranked Turkish Galatasaray had identical 1-1 record. This time Legia used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Istanbul 79-72 on Wednesday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American guard Devon Daniels (196-1998, college: NC State) nailed 17 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Zachary Freemantle (205-2000, college: Xavier) accounted for 23 points. Nigerian-American power forward Chimezie Metu (208-1997, college: USC) came up with 24 points and 9 rebounds and American guard KJ Simpson Jr. (185-2002, college: Colorado) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Galatasaray in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Galatasaray's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Defending Polish champion (2-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Loser Galatasaray dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Legia: F.Zachary 23+4reb+1ast, D.Devon 17+7reb+8ast, G.Gyorgy 16+4reb+1ast, Z.Kristers 12+2reb+5ast, K.Michal 6+5reb+3ast, I.Markus 5+1reb
Galatasaray: C.Metu 24+9reb, A.Smailagic 12+4reb+1ast, J.Robinson 12+4reb+2ast, K.Simpson Jr. 12+5reb+3ast, O.Ballo 4+1reb, A.Tuncer 4+2reb+3ast

Szombathely - AEK 66-72:
Another exciting game for Greek AEK (2-1) which played on the court of Hungarian Szombathely (1-2). Second ranked AEK won 72-66. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American guard Frank Bartley IV (191-1994, college: Louisiana) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 assists for the winners and Nigerian center Nelly Joseph (208-2001, college: N.Mexico) chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. Bartley IV is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. AEK's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Zoltan Perl (195-1995) responded with 18 points and 6 rebounds and guard Benedek Varadi (195-1995) scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. AEK keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Defending Hungarian champion Szombathely keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
AEK: B.Frank 15+3reb+5ast, N.Landers 12+1reb+2ast, B.Greg 12+4reb, J.Nelly 9+10reb+1ast, T.Georgios 8+3reb+1ast, W.Derrick 6+2reb+1ast
Szombathely: Z.Perl 18+6reb+3ast, J.Gray 13+8reb, B.Varadi 11+8reb+4ast, D.Trammell 8+3reb+2ast, J.Patton 7+7reb, P.Whelan 3+6reb+2ast

Bonn - Bnei Hertzeliya 101-89:
Everything went according to plan when second ranked German Telekom Baskets (2-1) defeated 4th placed Israeli Bnei Hertzeliya (0-3) in Bonn 101-89 on Wednesday. Bonn made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Bonn outrebounded Bnei Hertzeliya 35-24 including 24 on the defensive glass. Joel-Sadu Aminu (193-1997) nailed 23 points for the winning side and American guard Marcus Foster (196-2002, college: Xavier) accounted for 17 points. Telekom Baskets' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Gerald Hannahs (191-1993, college: Arkansas) came up with 20 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard DJ Brewton (193-2000, college: CS Fullerton) added 13 points respectively for Bnei Hertzeliya in the defeat. Four Bonn and five Bnei Hertzeliya players scored in double figures. Bonn keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 12 other teams. Loser Bnei Hertzeliya still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Bonn: A.Joel-Sadu 23+1reb+2ast, F.Marcus 17+4reb+1ast, G.Jeff 15+3reb+1ast, K.Aleksa 13+1reb, W.John-Michael 10+5reb+1ast, K.Michael 8+6reb+1ast
Bnei Hertzeliya: G.Hannahs 20+5reb, N.Carter 13+3reb+1ast, D.Brewton 13+3reb+2ast, Z.Bryant 11+3reb+3ast, D.Burns Jr. 10+2reb+5ast, N.Knight 10+4reb+2ast