Review of Round 5 of Second Stage

There will be only one (last) round of the Second Stage in FIBA Europe Cup. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Turkish Petkimspor (4-1) on the court of third ranked Spanish Zaragoza on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Zaragoza 76-71. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Petkimspor. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Zaragoza looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American-Central African guard Isaiah Washington (185-1998, college: LBSU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 6 assists. Italian point guard Marco Spissu (184-1995) contributed with 8 points and 7 assists for the winners. Zaragoza's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Nigerian-American guard David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb, agency: Slash Sports) answered with 21 points and 6 assists for Petkim. Zaragoza (2-3) moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Petkim at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Zaragoza is looking forward to face Sassari (#4) at home in the next round. Petkim will play against the league's second-placed Peristeri and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Rostock. Third ranked Hungarian Szombathely (2-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-ranked German Seawolves (2-3) 78-75 in the game for the second place. Puerto Rican center Arnaldo Barea (203-1997, college: St.John's) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners and Benedek Varadi chipped in 12 points and 6 assists. American guard TJ Crockett (187-1999, college: Lindenwood) responded with 21 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Seawolves' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Szombathely moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Rostock. Rostock lost third consecutive game. Szombathely will play against Trefl (#4) in Sopot in the next round. Rostock will play at home against the league's leader Murcia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Greek PAOK (4-1) which hosted in Thessaloniki 4th placed Portuguese Sporting (0-5). Second ranked PAOK had an easy win 101-67. Cleveland Melvin nailed 18 points for the winning side. Andre Cruz came up with 13 points for Sporting in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. PAOK keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Sporting still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Sassari and Cedevita Jr.. PAOK will meet at home league's leader Bilbao in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sporting will play against Prievidza and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: Peristeri beat Sassari on the road 81-76. Winless Cedevita Jr. lost to Bosna on its own court 79-86. Trefl lost to undefeated Murcia in a road game 66-92. Bilbao rolled over Prievidza at home 93-51. Reggio Emilia was defeated by Oradea on the opponent's court 81-77.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Troy Caupain of Reggio Emilia.



PAOK - Sporting 101-67

An interesting game for Greek PAOK (4-1) which hosted in Thessaloniki 4th placed Portuguese Sporting (0-5). Second ranked PAOK had an easy win 101-67. PAOK had a 31-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Cleveland Melvin (203-1991, college: DePaul) nailed 18 points for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Timmy Allen (198-2000, college: Texas) accounted for 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four PAOK players scored in double figures. Forward Andre Cruz (201-2002, college: UIW) came up with 13 points and American swingman Malik Morgan (194-1994, college: Tulane) added 11 points respectively for Sporting in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. PAOK keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Sporting still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Sassari and Cedevita Jr.. PAOK will meet at home league's leader Bilbao in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sporting will play against Prievidza and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
PAOK: M.Cleveland 18+3reb+3ast, T.Breein 14+2reb+6ast, A.Timmy 11+7reb+5ast, C.Nikos 11+7reb+1ast, K.Antonis 9+1reb, Z.Thodoris 9+1reb
Sporting: A.Cruz 13+3reb+2ast, M.Morgan 11+3reb+3ast, S.Swenson 7+2reb+1ast, B.Johns Jr. 6+2reb+1ast, C.Miguel 6+1reb+2ast, M.Harden-Hayes 6+1reb

Rostock - Szombathely 75-78

Important game to mention about took place in Rostock. Third ranked Hungarian Szombathely (2-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-ranked German Seawolves (2-3) 78-75 in the game for the second place. Szombathely made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Puerto Rican center Arnaldo Barea (203-1997, college: St.John's) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners and guard Benedek Varadi (194-1995) chipped in 12 points and 6 assists. American guard TJ Crockett (187-1999, college: Lindenwood) responded with 21 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and point guard Elias Baggette (181-2002) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Seawolves' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Szombathely moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Rostock. Rostock lost third consecutive game. Szombathely will play against Trefl (#4) in Sopot in the next round. Rostock will play at home against the league's leader Murcia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Szombathely: B.Arnaldo 19+14reb, P.Zoltan 13+3reb+4ast, V.Benedek 12+2reb+6ast, T.Andras 11+5reb+1ast, K.Akos 8+2reb+1ast, A.Marchelus 7+3reb
Rostock: T.Crockett 21+2reb+3ast, E.Baggette 13+2reb+4ast, O.Klassen 12+5reb+2ast, D.Schwartz 10+2reb+2ast, S.Theis 6+1reb, D.Lockhart 3+4reb

Zaragoza - Petkim 76-71

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Turkish Petkimspor (4-1) on the court of third ranked Spanish Zaragoza on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Zaragoza 76-71. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Petkimspor. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Zaragoza looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American-Central African guard Isaiah Washington (185-1998, college: LBSU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 6 assists. Italian point guard Marco Spissu (184-1995) contributed with 8 points and 7 assists for the winners. Zaragoza's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Nigerian-American guard David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb, agency: Slash Sports) answered with 21 points and 6 assists and Lithuanian center Martynas Sajus (208-1996) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Petkim. Zaragoza (2-3) moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Petkim at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Zaragoza is looking forward to face Sassari (#4) at home in the next round. Petkim will play against the league's second-placed Peristeri and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zaragoza: W.Isaiah 14+1reb+6ast, S.DJ 12+5reb, R.Devin 9+2reb, Y.Santiago 8+3reb+3ast, S.Marco 8+2reb+7ast, R.Joaquin 7+4reb
Petkim: D.Efianayi 21+4reb+6ast, M.Sajus 14+5reb+1ast, R.Blumbergs 11+3reb, M.Kurtuldum 8+4reb, Y.Franke 8+4reb+3ast, S.Whittaker 5+5ast

Sassari - Peristeri 76-81

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Greek Peristeri (4-1) beat on the road 4th placed Italian Sassari (0-5) 81-76 on Wednesday. Peristeri looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American swingman Jake Van Tubbergen (201-1998, college: GVSU) nailed 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and Spanish point guard Alvaro Cardenas (185-2002, college: Boise St.) accounted for 14 points and 4 assists. Four Peristeri players scored in double figures. American forward Rashawn Thomas (203-1994, college: TAMUCC) came up with 12 points and 8 rebounds and Georgian-American point guard Jacob Pullen (183-1989, college: Kansas St., agency: AltusBasket) added 15 points and 5 assists respectively for Sassari in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Peristeri keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Sassari still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Sporting and Cedevita Jr.. Peristeri will meet league's leader Petkim in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sassari will play against Zaragoza and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Peristeri: V.Jake 19+7reb+2ast, C.Alvaro 14+4reb+4ast, N.Ty 13+2reb+5ast, P.Omar 10+8reb+1ast, H.C.J. 9+4ast, K.Dimitrios 7+4reb
Sassari: J.Pullen 15+1reb+5ast, R.Thomas 12+8reb+3ast, D.Buie 10+3reb+5ast, N.McGlynn 9+7reb+1ast, L.Beliauskas 6+2reb, A.Mezzanotte 6+3reb

Cedevita Jr. - Bosna S. 79-86

Rather expected game when 4th placed Croatian Cedevita Jr. (0-5) lost to second ranked Bosnian Bosna (4-1) in Zagreb 79-86 on Wednesday. Bosna looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Swingman Edin Atic (201-1997) nailed 15 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and Puerto Rican Alfonso Plummer (185-1997, college: Illinois) accounted for 16 points. Four Bosna S. players scored in double figures. Mislav Brzoja (198-1994, college: Evansville, agency: PEPI SPORT) came up with 21 points and 7 rebounds and Noah Zemljic (194-2005, agency: AltusBasket) added 13 points respectively for Cedevita Jr. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bosna keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Cedevita Jr. still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Sassari and Sporting. Bosna will meet at home league's leader Reggio Emilia in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cedevita Jr. will play against Oradea and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Bosna S.: P.Alfonso 16+4reb+3ast, A.Edin 15+8reb+6ast, J.Janari 15+3reb+1ast, S.Djoko 10+1reb+2ast, Y.Michael 9+1reb+3ast, H.Miralem 7+6reb
Cedevita Jr.: M.Brzoja 21+7reb+3ast, N.Zemljic 13+2ast, J.Gainey 10+2reb+2ast, N.Sare 9+2reb+3ast, N.Skrobot 8+1ast, A.Vrankovic 8+3reb

Murcia - Trefl 92-66

Rather predictable result when leader Spanish UCAM (5-0) rolled over 4th placed Polish Trefl (1-4) in Murcia 92-66 on Tuesday. Murcia made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Trefl turnovers. Murcia looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Daniel Garcia (185-1998) nailed 11 points and 5 assists for the winning side and Romanian center Emanuel Cate (207-1997) accounted for 11 points and 8 rebounds. Four UCAM players scored in double figures. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Center Szymon Zapala (213-2001, college: Michigan St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Jakub Schenk (184-1994) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively for Trefl in the defeat. UCAM have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Murcia maintains first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Bilbao. Loser Trefl dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with Prievidza. Murcia will meet league's second-placed Rostock on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Trefl will play against Szombathely and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Murcia: N.Toni 14, F.Michael 14+3reb+2ast, R.Jonah 14+3reb, G.Daniel 11+4reb+5ast, C.Emanuel 11+8reb+1ast, E.Dylan 9+2reb+4ast
Trefl: S.Zapala 19+10reb, J.Schenk 12+3reb+4ast, P.Scruggs 11+4reb+1ast, D.Addae-Wusu 8+5reb+3ast, K.Suurorg 8+1reb+1ast, M.Kacinas 4+7reb

Bilbao - Prievidza 93-51

Not a big story in a game when 3rd placed Slovakian Prievidza (1-4) was outscored on the road by leader Spanish Surne Bilbao (5-0) 93-51 on Tuesday. Bilbao forced 25 Prievidza turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Prievidza's players. American guard Justin Jaworski (190-1999, college: Lafayette) nailed 19 points for the winning side and Slovenian Martin Krampelj (206-1995, college: Creighton) accounted for 16 points. American forward Naje Smith (203-2000, college: Boise St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Sage Tolbert III (201-1999, college: SJSU) added 9 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Prievidza in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Surne Bilbao have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Murcia. Loser Prievidza keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Trefl. Bilbao will meet league's second-placed PAOK in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Prievidza will play against Sporting in Lisbon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: J.Justin 19+2reb+1ast, K.Martin 16+4reb+1ast, P.Luke 13+2reb+1ast, F.Aleix 11+2reb+4ast, N.Margiris 7+4reb+6ast, B.Bassala 7+8reb+5ast
Prievidza: N.Smith 17+13reb+5ast, S.Tolbert III 9+11reb, D.Thomas 6+1reb, N.Reynolds 5+2reb+1ast, M.Zeliznak 4+5reb, A.Fahro 4+3reb

Oradea - Reggio Emilia 81-77

There was a small surprise when third ranked Romanian Oradea (2-3) defeated at home leader Italian Reggio Emilia (4-1) 81-77 on Wednesday. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Oradea looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) nailed 19 points for the winning side and Mali-French Bandja Sy (204-1990, college: NM State) accounted for 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four Oradea players scored in double figures. American point guard Troy Caupain (193-1995, college: Cincinnati, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) came up with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Jaylen Barford (191-1996, college: Arkansas) added 18 points respectively for Reggio Emilia in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Oradea moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Reggio Emilia still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Oradea will meet Cedevita Jr. (#4) in the next round. Reggio Emilia will play against the league's second-placed Bosna in Sarajevo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Oradea: N.Emmanuel 19+4reb+3ast, L.Jaizec 14+4reb+4ast, B.Thomas 13+5reb+3ast, S.Bandja 10+10reb+3ast, R.Kris 9+4reb+4ast, N.Nicolae-Bogdan 8
Reggio Emilia: T.Caupain 19+5reb+4ast, J.Barford 18+3reb+1ast, B.Williams 14+5reb+1ast, J.Echenique 9+1ast, L.Uglietti 5+1reb+3ast, J.Thor 4+5reb+1ast