Serie A Round 4 (Regular Season): Virtus keep a leadership position

There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of Serie A and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Virtus Bologna as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Virtus Bologna smashed bottom-ranked Scafati at home 108-83. Virtus shot 63.1 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 54.8 percentage. Virtus looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Swedish power forward Bo Klintman (206-2003, college: Wake Forest) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). American forward Derrick Alston Jr. (207-1997, college: Boise St.) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Virtus Bologna's coach Alex Mumbru felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international point guard Bruno Mascolo (192-1996) replied with 15 points and 8 assists for Scafati. Virtus Bologna have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Newly promoted Scafati still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Cantu. Scafati will play next round against Trento trying to get back on the winning streak. Virtus will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Milano on the road.
Undefeated Napoli (3-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Armani Milano (3-1) 98-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Napoli. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard RJ Cole (185-1999, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 5 assists and Garrison Mathews who added 21 points during the contest. At the losing side Markel Brown (193-1992, college: OK State) responded with 17 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Napoli. Milano will play against league's leader Virtus in Bologna in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Napoli will play on the road against Tortona and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Trento between Dolomiti Trentino and Openjobmetis Varese. Fifth ranked Dolomiti Trentino (3-1) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Openjobmetis Varese (2-2). Dolomiti Trentino managed to escape with a 2-point win 87-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Openjobmetis Varese. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American players dominated also this game. The winners were led by Isaiah Bigelow who scored that evening 20 points. Even 29 points by Hunter Hale did not help to save the game for Varese. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Trento moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams. Varese at the other side dropped to the eighth position with two games lost. They share it with Roma Max. and Udine. Trento will meet bottom-ranked Scafati (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Varese will play against Roma Basket (#11) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Venezia beat Roma Basket on the road 104-98. Tortona lost to Roma Max. on its own court 75-89. Udine unfortunately lost to Treviso in a road game 86-102. Bottom-ranked Trieste rolled over Cantu at home 92-72. Reggio Emilia was defeated by Verona on the opponent's court 94-81.



Napoli - Milano 82-98:
Napoli (3-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Armani Milano (3-1) 98-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Napoli. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Milano made 28-of-34 charity shots (82.4 percent) during the game. Napoli was plagued by 32 personal fouls down the stretch. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard RJ Cole (185-1999, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 5 assists and guard Garrison Mathews (196-1996, college: Lipscomb) who added 21 points during the contest. Four Armani Milano players scored in double figures. At the losing side Markel Brown (193-1992, college: OK State) responded with 17 points and guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. (190-1997, college: URI) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Napoli. Milano will play against league's leader Virtus in Bologna in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Napoli will play on the road against Tortona and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Milano: M.Garrison 21+2reb, C.RJ 21+2reb+5ast, D.Ousmane 14+5reb, B.Leandro 11+3reb+1ast, W.Moses 11+2reb, R.Giampaolo 8+3reb+2ast
Napoli: M.Brown 17+4reb+2ast, J.Dowtin Jr. 12+3reb+2ast, J.Ramsey 10+2reb, J.White 10+5reb+1ast, G.Caruso 8+3reb, Z.Seljaas 8+3reb+4ast

Roma Basket - Venezia 98-104:
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Umana Venezia (3-1) beat 10th ranked Roma Basket (1-3) in Rome 104-98 on Saturday. Venezia dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Roma Basket's 32 and made 25-of-33 free shots (75.8 percent) during the game. The winners were led by Canadian power forward Kyle Wiltjer (207-1992, college: Gonzaga) who scored that evening 32 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Jordan Parks (201-1994, college: NCCU, agency: Inception Sports) supported him with 21 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even 18 points by the former international point guard Nicolo Mannion (190-2001, college: Arizona) did not help to save the game for Roma Basket. American point guard Corey Davis (186-1997, college: Houston) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Venezia moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams. Roma Basket at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Venezia will meet at home Treviso (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Roma Basket will play against Varese (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Venezia: W.Kyle 32+8reb+2ast, P.Jordan 21+2reb+1ast, T.Amedeo 11+6reb, G.Erick 10+2reb, B.Enoch 10+6reb+4ast, B.Ky 6+1reb+3ast
Roma Basket: N.Mannion 18+3reb+3ast, K.Olynyk 17+4reb+2ast, E.Stevenson 15+4reb+1ast, C.Davis 12+5reb+6ast, P.Watson 12+2reb+1ast, A.Strautins 11+1reb

Tortona - Roma Max. 75-89:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Roma Max. and 12th ranked Tortona had identical 1-2 record. But Tortona was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Rome 89-75 on Sunday night. The winners were led by Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) who scored that evening 17 points and 6 rebounds and ex-international Giovanni Veronesi (198-1998) supported him with 20 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even 14 points and 6 rebounds by American guard Dante Maddox Jr. (188-2002, college: Xavier) did not help to save the game for Tortona. German Karim Jallow (198-1997, agency: LUMANI 10.7) added 15 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Roma Max. (2-2) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Varese and Udine. Tortona lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Roma Max. will meet at home Udine (#9) in the next round. Tortona will play against Napoli and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Roma Max.: V.Giovanni 20+3reb, B.Miro 17+6reb+2ast, H.Aaron 13+2reb+4ast, A.Mirza 10+1reb+2ast, B.John 7+1reb, L.Brynton 6+1reb
Tortona: K.Jallow 15+5reb+2ast, D.Maddox Jr. 14+6reb+3ast, D.Olejniczak 12+8reb, J.Gorham 12+6reb+1ast, P.Eboua 7+2reb, A.Durham 7+1reb+2ast

Trento - Varese 87-85:
A very close game took place in Trento between Dolomiti Trentino and Openjobmetis Varese. Fifth ranked Dolomiti Trentino (3-1) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Openjobmetis Varese (2-2). Dolomiti Trentino managed to escape with a 2-point win 87-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Openjobmetis Varese. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American players dominated also this game. The winners were led by forward Isaiah Bigelow (201-2000, college: Richmond) who scored that evening 20 points and guard Darius Brown II (188-1999, college: Utah St.) supported him with 7 points and 10 assists. Four Dolomiti Trentino players scored in double figures. Even 29 points by guard Hunter Hale (192-1997, college: Winthrop) did not help to save the game for Varese. Guard David Duke Jr. (193-1999, college: Providence) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Trento moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams. Varese at the other side dropped to the eighth position with two games lost. They share it with Roma Max. and Udine. Trento will meet bottom-ranked Scafati (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Varese will play against Roma Basket (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Trento: B.Isaiah 20+4reb, O.Quincy 13+4reb, B.Charles 13+2reb+2ast, N.Papa 12+2reb+1ast, B.Jordan 11+7reb+2ast, B.Darius 7+4reb+10ast
Varese: H.Hale 29+2reb+3ast, D.Duke Jr. 14+5reb+4ast, I.Roby 12+4reb+1ast, D.Alviti 9+2reb+3ast, S.Nikolic 7+3reb+1ast, I.Kamagate 6+5reb

Treviso - Udine 102-86:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Treviso and 8th ranked Udine had identical 2-1 record. This time Treviso used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Udine 102-86 on Sunday night. Treviso made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. The winners were led by point guard Alessandro Cappelletti (186-1995) who scored that evening 21 points and 6 assists and American point guard DeWayne Russell (180-1994, college: GCU) supported him with 21 points and 6 assists. Four Treviso players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 5 rebounds by American guard RaeQuan Battle (196-2001, college: WVU) did not help to save the game for Udine. Slovenian point guard Zan Mark Sisko (190-1997) added 12 points and 6 assists for lost side. Udine's coach Adriano Vertemati rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Treviso (3-1) moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser Udine keeps the eighth position with two games lost. They share it with Varese and Roma Max.. Treviso will meet Venezia (#4) on the road in the next round. Udine will play against Roma Max. (#8) in Rome and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Treviso: R.DeWayne 21+2reb+6ast, C.Alessandro 21+4reb+6ast, M.JP 21+4reb+2ast, C.Brekkott 13+9reb+3ast, C.Valentin 8+7reb, A.Gregorio 6
Udine: R.Battle 20+5reb+3ast, E.Bendzius 14+3reb, Z.Mark Sisko 12+4reb+6ast, J.Mobio 9+1reb, A.Calzavara 8+1reb+4ast, D.Valentine 8+7reb

Trieste - Cantu 92-72:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both sixteenth ranked Trieste and bottom-ranked Cantu had identical 0-3 record. This time Trieste used a home court advantage and outscored the opponent from Cantu 92-72 on Sunday night. Trieste looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Cantu's players. The winners were led by American guard Lajae Jones (201-2004, college: FSU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import guard Langston Galloway (188-1991, college: St.Joseph's) supported him with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Trieste players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 4 assists by American swingman Savion Flagg (201-1999, college: SHSU) did not help to save the game for Cantu. Lithuanian Osvaldas Olisevicius (200-1993) added 20 points for lost side. Cantu's coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Trieste (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. It was Cantu's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Scafati. Trieste will meet at home higher ranked Verona (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Cantu will play against Reggio Emilia (#12) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Trieste: J.Lajae 21+13reb+1ast, G.Langston 19+5reb+4ast, B.Luka 12+3reb+3ast, D.Lodovico 10+6reb, C.Francesco 10+6reb, M.Sean 9+7reb+2ast
Cantu: S.Flagg 21+3reb+4ast, O.Olisevicius 20+4reb+1ast, S.Christon 11+2reb+2ast, H.Gravett 6+1reb+1ast, A.Grazulis 6+5reb+1ast, C.Brown 3+9reb

Verona - Reggio Emilia 94-81:
Everything went according to plan when sixth ranked Verona (3-1) defeated at home 10th ranked Reggio Emilia (1-3) 94-81 on Sunday. Verona made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Verona outrebounded Reggio Emilia 39-22 including a 26-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Verona looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by American-Slovenian center Mike Tobey (213-1994, college: Virginia) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) supported him with 18 points and 6 assists. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by American point guard Kenneth Smith (191-1993, college: La Tech) did not help to save the game for Reggio Emilia. International power forward Luca Severini (204-1996) added 16 points for lost side. Five Verona and four Reggio Emilia players scored in double figures. Verona have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser Reggio Emilia dropped to the eleventh position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Verona will meet Trieste (#13) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Reggio Emilia will play against Cantu and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Verona: A.Andrew 18+3reb+6ast, T.Mike 17+10reb, S.Jermaine 13+1reb+5ast, Z.Federico 11+1reb+3ast, M.CJ 11+5reb+2ast, L.Andrea 11+6reb+2ast
Reggio Emilia: L.Severini 16+2reb+2ast, J.Echenique 15+2reb+1ast, K.Smith 13+5reb+8ast, R.Edwards 13+4reb+3ast, J.Barford 9+2reb+1ast, J.Thor 5+3reb

Virtus BO - Scafati 108-83:
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Virtus Bologna as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Virtus Bologna smashed bottom-ranked Scafati at home 108-83. Virtus shot 63.1 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 54.8 percentage. Virtus looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Swedish power forward Bo Klintman (206-2003, college: Wake Forest) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). American forward Derrick Alston Jr. (207-1997, college: Boise St.) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Virtus Bologna's coach Alex Mumbru felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international point guard Bruno Mascolo (192-1996) replied with 15 points and 8 assists and Nigerian-American forward Ze'Rik Onyema (206-2001, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) added 20 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Scafati. Four Virtus and five Scafati players scored in double figures. Virtus Bologna have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Newly promoted Scafati still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Cantu. Scafati will play next round against Trento trying to get back on the winning streak. Virtus will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Milano on the road.
Top scorers:
Virtus BO: A.Derrick 19+1reb+1ast, K.Bo 18+4reb+4ast, D.Aliou 16+5reb, D.Mouhamet 13+6reb, B.Tommaso 9+2reb+5ast, H.Daniel 6+2reb+4ast
Scafati: Z.Onyema 20+5reb+2ast, B.Johnson 17+5reb+2ast, B.Mascolo 15+4reb+8ast, G.Nevels 11+2reb+4ast, M.Offurum 10+7reb+2ast, F.Spinelli 7+1ast