NBL Round 5 (Second Stage): Rilski is upset by Balkan

NBL is at the halfway of the Second Stage and there are still another 5 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Rilski (21-6) and fourth ranked Balkan (16-11) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Rilski was defeated by Balkan in a tough game in Botevgrad 79-86. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Rilski. 24 personal fouls committed by Rilski helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international Dimitar Dimitrov (203-1993) who scored 26 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Yordan Minchev (202-1998) chipped in 19 points. American point guard Michaelyn Scott (182-1993, college: Idaho) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 16-11 record. Rilski at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Balkan are looking forward to face CSKA (#5) in Sofia in the next round. Rilski will play on the road against the league's leader Chernomorets in Burgas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Burgas. First ranked Chernomorets faced 3rd placed Spartak Pleven. Host Chernomorets (22-5) defeated guests from Pleven (18-9) 87-80. American point guard Travis McConico (198-1997, college: Charleston So.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Milen Zahariev contributed with 14 points for the winners. The former international swingman Nikolay Stoyanov (195-1994) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds for Spartak Pleven. Chernomorets have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 22-5 record. Spartak Pleven at the other side keeps the third position with nine games lost. Chernomorets will play against league's second-placed Rilski in Samokov in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartak Pleven will play on the road against Cherno More in Varna and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Shumen was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Yambol (10-17) played at the court of eighth ranked Shumen (11-16). Shumen did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 105-86 on Wednesday. Karim Mane stepped up and scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Peter Kiss responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shumen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Cherno More and Akademik. Loser Yambol dropped to the ninth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Levski. Shumen will meet bottom-ranked Minyor 2015 (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Yambol will play against Beroe in Stara Zagora and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Akademik crushed Beroe in Plovdiv 113-83. Bottom-ranked Minyor 2015 was beaten by Levski at home 71-72. CSKA won against Cherno More on the opponent's court 99-91. Balkan outscored CSKA in a home game 86-59.



Beroe - Akademik P. 83-113

There was no surprise in Stara Zagora where 11th ranked Beroe (9-18) was crushed by eighth ranked Akademik (11-16) 113-83 on Saturday. Akademik outrebounded Beroe 42-29 including 27 on the defensive glass. Akademik looked well-organized offensively handing out 38 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Beroe's players. Tomislav Minkov (197-2001) stepped up and scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners and American-Jamaican forward Phil Henry (203-1991, college: ENMU) chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds. Akademik P.'s coach Jordan Yankov felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Cadarian Raines (205-1990, college: Virginia Tech, agency: BIG) responded with 25 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and guard Nikolay Titkov (183-1998) scored 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Five Akademik and four Beroe players scored in double figures. Akademik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Shumen and Cherno More. Beroe lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 18 games lost. Akademik will meet Levski (#10) in the next round. Beroe will play against Yambol and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Akademik P.: T.Minkov 22+6reb+6ast, P.Henry 19+10reb, J.McCall 15+7reb+5ast, M.Krastomir 14+4reb+4ast, N.Cummings 14+2reb+8ast, K.Ioannis 9+6reb+4ast
Beroe: C.Raines 25+7reb+2ast, N.Titkov 20+4reb+5ast, K.Kaloyan 14+3reb, D.Ivanov 13+4reb+6ast, D.Stilian 8+6reb+3ast, S.Kaloyan 3+4reb

Minyor 2015 - Levski 71-72

No shocking result in a game in Pernik where tenth ranked Levski (10-17) edged bottom-ranked Minyor 2015 (8-19) 72-71 on Friday. Strangely Minyor 2015 outrebounded Levski 42-28 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international point guard Lachezar Dimitrov (187-1999, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 assists for the winners and power forward Dimitar Marincheshki (200-1990) chipped in 17 points and 10 rebounds. Montenegrin Danilo Aranitovic (202-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Nikolay Ivanov (185-2001) scored 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Levski moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Yambol. Newly promoted Minyor 2015 stay at the bottom position with 19 games lost. Levski will meet at home higher ranked Akademik (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Minyor 2015 will play against Shumen (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Levski: D.Marincheshki 17+10reb+3ast, L.Dimitrov 17+4reb+9ast, Z.Georgiev 16+3reb+2ast, A.Velikov 10+1reb+3ast, K.Momchil 6+4reb+3ast, B.Mario 4+3reb
Minyor 2015: T.Lachezar 17+1reb, N.Ivkovic 11+5reb+1ast, N.Ivanov 10+5reb+5ast, D.Aranitovic 10+13reb+3ast, G.Kenderov 7+3reb+2ast, K.Paisiev 6+4reb+1ast

Shumen - Yambol 105-86

The game in Shumen was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Yambol (10-17) played at the court of eighth ranked Shumen (11-16). Shumen did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 105-86 on Wednesday. Shumen dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Yambol's 46. They outrebounded Yambol 42-25 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Canadian-Senegalese guard Karim Mane (190-2000) stepped up and scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and American swingman Zack Rollins (200-1995, college: MSUB) chipped in 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Peter Kiss (196-1996, college: Bryant) responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Nikolay Mihaylov (204-2000, agency: BIG) scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Shumen and five Yambol players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shumen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Cherno More and Akademik. Loser Yambol dropped to the ninth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Levski. Shumen will meet bottom-ranked Minyor 2015 (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Yambol will play against Beroe in Stara Zagora and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shumen: Z.Rollins 25+7reb+4ast, M.Karim 24+9reb+7ast, J.Kohajda 24+10reb, W.Likayi 22+4reb+2ast, M.Baris 8+1reb+1ast, R.Ivanov 2+6reb+2ast
Yambol: P.Kiss 18+5reb+3ast, V.Andon 16+5reb+1ast, A.Matushev 13+2reb+1ast, I.Lilov 13+3reb+5ast, N.Mihaylov 12+8reb+5ast, H.Joan 7+3ast

Balkan - Rilski 86-79

The game between second ranked Rilski (21-6) and fourth ranked Balkan (16-11) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Rilski was defeated by Balkan in a tough game in Botevgrad 79-86. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Rilski. 24 personal fouls committed by Rilski helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international Dimitar Dimitrov (203-1993) who scored 26 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Yordan Minchev (202-1998) chipped in 19 points. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. American point guard Michaelyn Scott (182-1993, college: Idaho) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 assists and the former international forward Aleks Simeonov (200-1993) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 16-11 record. Rilski at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Balkan are looking forward to face CSKA (#5) in Sofia in the next round. Rilski will play on the road against the league's leader Chernomorets in Burgas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Balkan: D.Dimitrov 26+5reb+3ast, Y.Minchev 19+4reb+2ast, S.Hannah 12+5reb+6ast, E.Adams 11+3reb, P.Iliyan 8+1ast, N.Grozev 4+1reb
Rilski: M.Scott 17+2reb+10ast, A.Simeonov 17+5reb, A.Arnett 10+8reb+3ast, J.Lawson 9+6reb+1ast, J.Florveus 8+5reb+1ast, M.Vasov 8+3reb

Chernomorets - Spartak Pleven 87-80

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Burgas. First ranked Chernomorets faced 3rd placed Spartak Pleven. Host Chernomorets (22-5) defeated guests from Pleven (18-9) 87-80. Chernomorets made 22-of-29 charity shots (75.9 percent) during the game. American point guard Travis McConico (198-1997, college: Charleston So.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Milen Zahariev (190-1992) contributed with 14 points for the winners. The former international swingman Nikolay Stoyanov (195-1994) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Alex Lomax (183-2000, college: Memphis, agency: VM Hoops Agency) added 15 points and 6 assists in the effort for Spartak Pleven. Five Chernomorets and four Spartak Pleven players scored in double figures. Chernomorets have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 22-5 record. Spartak Pleven at the other side keeps the third position with nine games lost. Chernomorets will play against league's second-placed Rilski in Samokov in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartak Pleven will play on the road against Cherno More in Varna and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Chernomorets: T.McConico 17+5reb+9ast, M.Zahariev 14+2reb+1ast, L.Griffin 13+2reb, S.Smith 10+4reb+2ast, A.Ouandie 10+3reb+1ast, T.Trocha-Morelos 10+5reb
Spartak Pleven: N.Stoyanov 19+6reb+1ast, A.Lomax 15+3reb+6ast, T.Zanna 13+10reb, S.Marinov 12+1reb+3ast, I.Ivkov 9+2reb, D.Vutev 7+2reb

Cherno More - CSKA 91-99

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Cherno More's (11-16) home loss to fifth ranked CSKA (14-13) 91-99 on Sunday. CSKA outrebounded Cherno More 40-28 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. International forward Georgi Boyanov (200-1993, college: USA) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and Bosnian Aleksandar Radukic (206-1991, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 23 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Curtis Jones (194-1997, college: Penn St., agency: BIG) responded with 19 points and 6 assists and Nigerian forward Avery Ugba (203-1994, college: Austin Peay, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Five Cherno More players scored in double figures. CSKA maintains fifth place with 14-13 record. Cherno More lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Shumen and Akademik. CSKA will meet at home higher ranked Balkan (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cherno More will play against Spartak Pleven and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
CSKA: G.Boyanov 33+11reb+5ast, A.Radukic 23+10reb+3ast, V.Petkov 19+2reb+10ast, C.Gregory 9+10reb+1ast, G.Viktor 7+2reb+1ast, D.Ivan 5+1reb
Cherno More: S.Ivan 20+3reb, C.Jones 19+2reb+6ast, K.Lazarov 14+1ast, M.Kotsev 11+3reb+8ast, M.Creek 10+1ast, A.Ugba 10+13reb+1ast

Balkan - CSKA 86-59

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Balkan's (16-11) home victory over 5th ranked CSKA (14-13) 86-59 on Thursday. The former international Dimitar Dimitrov (203-1993) stepped up and scored 17 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and the former international Nikolay Grozev (200-1994) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. International forward Georgi Boyanov (200-1993, college: USA) responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Ventsislav Petkov (188-1991, agency: BIG) scored 8 points 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. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 16-11 record. CSKA lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 13 games lost. Balkan will again meet CSKA (#5) in the next round. CSKA will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Balkan: N.Grozev 18+5reb+2ast, D.Dimitrov 17+8reb+3ast, M.Dixon 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Minchev 10+3reb+4ast, E.Adams 8+6reb, P.Iliyan 7+1reb+2ast
CSKA: G.Boyanov 17+6reb, M.Damyan 9+6reb+2ast, V.Petkov 8+4reb+5ast, G.Viktor 8+6reb+3ast, C.Gregory 8+4reb, A.Radukic 5+2reb