Liga Betclic Round 3 (Regular Season): Ovarense hands first loss to Povoa

There were just three rounds played in Regular Season of Liga Betclic 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 most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Povoa (2-1) on the court of Ovarense on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Ovarense 78-69. Ovarense outrebounded Povoa 51-27 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American guard Leon Ayers III (195-2000, college: BGSU) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 5 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). His fellow American import forward Devan Cambridge (198-2001, college: UCF) contributed with 9 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American guard Brody Whitaker (190-2002, college: Valpo) answered with 22 points for Povoa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ovarense is looking forward to face Sporting (#10) in Lisbon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Povoa will play at home against Braga (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
FC Porto (3-0) added another victory to their record. This time they beat Esgueira (0-3) 95-91. It was a great evening for American guard Corey Allen-Williams (188-1998, college: Georgia St., agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points. Thomas Bropleh helped adding 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American guard Justin Bailey (190-2004, college: Georgia) with 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. FC Porto will play against CAB Madeira (#9) in Funchal in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Esgueira will play on the road against Oliveirense in Oliveira and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Lisbon supposed to be also quite interesting. Oliveirense (1-1) played at the court of Benfica (2-1). Benfica smashed Oliveirense 92-67 on Saturday. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for Geno Crandall who led the winners and scored 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Malik Morgan came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for Oliveirense 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. Benfica will meet Queluz (#7) on the road in the next round. Oliveirense will play against Esgueira and hope to win that game.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 3: Sporting was beaten by CAB Madeira on the road 93-84. Portimonense lost to Queluz on its own court 83-87. Vitoria was outscored by Braga in a road game 72-91.
The most impressive performance of 3rd round was 10 points and 10 rebounds by Ricardo Monteiro of Braga.



CAB Madeira - Sporting 93-84:
There was a small surprise when CAB Madeira (1-2) beat Sporting (1-2) in Funchal 93-84 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Fred Thomas (196-1993, college: MSU, agency: Helping Ballers) who led the winners and scored 26 points and 5 rebounds. Guard Tiago Lisboa (192-2002) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. The former international Francisco Amarante (196-2000) came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Javian Davis (206-1999, college: UAB, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Sporting in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Sporting's coach Luis Magalhaes rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. CAB Madeira will meet FC Porto on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sporting will play against Ovarense (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
CAB Madeira: T.Fred 26+5reb+2ast, S.Magna 18+2reb, H.Curt 13+4reb+3ast, L.Tiago 12+7reb+3ast, T.Miguel 11+2reb+3ast, F.Bernardo 5+4reb+7ast
Sporting: F.Amarante 17+7reb+1ast, J.Davis 16+6reb+2ast, L.O'Reilly 13+2reb+3ast, D.Ventura 11+5reb+6ast, G.Kalscheur 10+3reb, T.Baskin 8+3reb

Ovarense - Povoa 78-69:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Povoa (2-1) on the court of Ovarense on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Ovarense 78-69. Ovarense outrebounded Povoa 51-27 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American guard Leon Ayers III (195-2000, college: BGSU) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 5 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). His fellow American import forward Devan Cambridge (198-2001, college: UCF) contributed with 9 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American guard Brody Whitaker (190-2002, college: Valpo) answered with 22 points and Slovenian Matic Lamut (199-2003) added 10 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Povoa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ovarense is looking forward to face Sporting (#10) in Lisbon in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Povoa will play at home against Braga (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ovarense: A.Leon 17+5reb+2ast, P.Jerome 14+6reb, M.Nuno 9+3reb, C.Devan 9+12reb+1ast, M.Miguel 9+2reb+3ast, J.Silva 7+12reb+1ast
Povoa: B.Whitaker 22+4reb, A.Bah 12+2reb, M.Lamut 10+6reb+3ast, B.Gomes 6+2reb, R.Miguel 6+1ast, C.Joao 4

Benfica - Oliveirense 92-67:
The game in Lisbon supposed to be also quite interesting. Oliveirense (1-1) played at the court of Benfica (2-1). Benfica smashed Oliveirense 92-67 on Saturday. Benfica dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Oliveirense's 36 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Benfica forced 19 Oliveirense turnovers and outrebounded them 44-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Geno Crandall (191-1996, college: Gonzaga) who led the winners and scored 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Forward Brandon Slater (203-1999, college: Villanova) accounted for 17 points for the winning side. Four Benfica players scored in double figures. Swingman Malik Morgan (194-1994, college: Tulane) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Prentiss Nixon (183-1997, college: Iowa St.) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Oliveirense 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. Benfica will meet Queluz (#7) on the road in the next round. Oliveirense will play against Esgueira and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Benfica: D.Aleksander 17+4reb, S.Brandon 17+4reb+2ast, B.Luke 12+5reb+4ast, M.Luther 11+4reb+6ast, C.Geno 9+10reb+5ast, R.Daniel 9+6reb
Oliveirense: M.Morgan 17+10reb+3ast, P.Nixon 16+6reb+4ast, J.Aramburu 7+7reb+2ast, J.Turner 7+2reb, C.Swanton-Rodger 6+2reb+1ast, C.Sa 4+2reb

Esgueira - FC Porto 91-95:
FC Porto (3-0) added another victory to their record. This time they beat Esgueira (0-3) 95-91. FC Porto made 22-of-28 charity shots (78.6 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Corey Allen-Williams (188-1998, college: Georgia St., agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points. Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) helped adding 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American guard Justin Bailey (190-2004, college: Georgia) with 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and American-British forward Daniel Carr (206-2001, college: Rockhurst, agency: Helping Ballers) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 20 rebounds. Four FC Porto and five Esgueira players scored in double figures. FC Porto will play against CAB Madeira (#9) in Funchal in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Esgueira will play on the road against Oliveirense in Oliveira and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
FC Porto: A.Corey 22+4reb+3ast, Q.Miguel 15+4reb+2ast, G.Joao 15+6reb+1ast, B.Thomas 11+8reb+4ast, A.Bessa 11+2reb+2ast, W.James 8+1ast
Esgueira: J.Bailey 34+6reb+3ast, C.Pedro 18+2reb+4ast, O.Onyeka 14+7reb+4ast, D.Carr 12+20reb, F.Ferreira 11+2reb+2ast, A.Yeratel 2+3reb

Portimonense - Queluz 83-87:
The game between closely ranked teams ended with Portimonense's (0-3) home loss to Queluz (1-1) 83-87 on Saturday. Queluz shot 27 for 37 from the free-throw line, while Portimonense only scored ten points from the stripe. Queluz forced 22 Portimonense turnovers and outrebounded them 33-22 including 21 on the defensive glass. Queluz looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian center Ivan Pavicevic (206-2002) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). American guard Justice Shoats (180-2004, college: Siena) accounted for 17 points and 6 assists for the winning side. Queluz's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Mason Landdeck (191-2003, college: MSUB) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 assists and the other American import forward Giancarlo Rosado (203-2002, college: Charlotte) added 16 points and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for Portimonense in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Queluz will meet at home Benfica (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Portimonense will play against Vitoria (#8) in Guimaraes and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Queluz: T.Abdoulaye 22+1ast, S.Justice 17+2reb+6ast, P.Ivan 16+9reb+2ast, B.Donte 12+6reb+4ast, T.Justin 8+6reb+4ast, H.Danilo 5+4reb+1ast
Portimonense: M.Landdeck 24+10ast, P.Oliveira 16+2reb, G.Rosado 16+4reb+4ast, T.Coleman 12+4reb+3ast, L.Rahama 8+4reb+2ast, J.Grewal 5+2reb+4ast

Braga - Vitoria 91-72:
Braga used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Guimaraes 91-72 on Sunday night. Braga outrebounded Vitoria 48-32 including a 39-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Braga looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for international center Ricardo Monteiro (208-1997) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Angolan forward Aboubacar Gakou (201-1997) accounted for 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Michael Houge (201-2001, college: Oakland) came up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and the other American import forward Rog Stein (198-1999, college: Indiana Tech) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Vitoria in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Braga will meet Povoa (#5) on the road in the next round. Vitoria will play against Portimonense and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Braga: K.Mario 14+5reb+1ast, P.Victor 13+6reb+2ast, G.Aboubacar 13+8reb, M.Correia 10+2reb+2ast, M.Ricardo 10+10reb+3ast, C.Cardoso 9+2reb+7ast
Vitoria: D.Malcolm 19+2reb+3ast, R.Stein 17+8reb, K.Warner 14+8reb+2ast, M.Houge 14+6reb+6ast, T.Simao 8+5reb+4ast, C.Ricardo 0