Liga Betclic Round 18 (Regular Season): Ovarense defeat FC Porto in the closest game of the week

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga Betclic took place in Porto. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best FC Porto (15-3) to fourth ranked Ovarense (11-7) 77-75 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Antonio Woods (185-1995, college: Pennsylvania) scored 12 points and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and swingman Delaney Blaylock (196-1997, college: Lewis) chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Ovarense's coach Joao Tiago used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Devyn Marble (198-1992, college: Iowa) with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Ovarense maintains fourth position with 11-7 record. FC Porto at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. Ovarense are looking forward to face Oliveirense (#5) in Oliveira in the next round. FC Porto will play on the road against Esgueira and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Albufeira. Eighth ranked Imortal (8-10) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Esgueira (8-10) 90-87 in the game for the seventh place. American forward Javian Davis (206-1999, college: UAB) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Daryl Banks III supported him with 20 points and 5 assists. Imortal's coach Bernardo Pires allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 16 points and 8 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) by point guard Miguel Monteiro (177-2003, agency: Promo Sport ID) did not help to save the game for Esgueira. Imortal moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Esgueira and Vitoria SC. Imortal will play against Queluz (#10) on the road in the next round. Esgueira will play against the league's second-placed FC Porto where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Lisbon. First ranked host Benfica (17-1) smashed 4th ranked Ovarense (11-7) 93-59. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ovarense. The best player for the winners was Aaron Broussard who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Daniel Oladapo who recorded 12 points and 7 rebounds. 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 17-1 record. Loser Ovarense keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Benfica will meet Galitos-Barreiro (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Ovarense will play against Oliveirense and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Galitos-Barreiro lost to Vitoria SC on the opponent's court 93-103. FC Porto managed to outperform Galomar in a home game 82-78. Povoa was rolled over Sporting on the road 84-57. Oliveirense crushed Queluz on its own court 88-69. Vitoria SC beat Galomar in Guimaraes 82-75.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists by Zahir Porter of Vitoria SC.



Vitoria SC - Galitos-Barreiro 103-93

There was a minor upset in Guimaraes where 6th ranked Galitos-Barreiro (9-9) was defeated by ninth ranked Vitoria SC (8-10) 103-93 on Saturday. Vitoria SC made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Zahir Porter (198-2000, college: Weber St.) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import center Trey Moses (208-1997, college: Ball St., agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. Vitoria SC's coach Miguel Miranda used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Miguel Correia (186-2000) who recorded 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and American forward Robby Robinson III (203-1999, college: CSUSB) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Five Vitoria SC and four Galitos-Barreiro players scored in double figures. Vitoria SC moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Imortal and Esgueira. Newly promoted Galitos-Barreiro keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Vitoria SC will meet Povoa (#11) on the road in the next round. Galitos-Barreiro will play against the league's leader Benfica (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Galitos-Barreiro: M.Correia 19+6reb+5ast, M.Richardson 18+1reb+2ast, R.Robinson III 18+6reb+4ast, R.Stein 14+6reb+7ast, R.Palhares 13+3reb, L.Bryan 9+10reb+4ast
Vitoria SC: Z.Porter 27+6reb+5ast, R.Monteiro 20+4reb+2ast, T.Moses 18+9reb+3ast, P.Bastos 12+5reb+4ast, W.Loyd 12+4reb+5ast, P.Pinto 5+2reb+5ast

Benfica - Ovarense 93-59

The game between Top Four teams took place in Lisbon. First ranked host Benfica (17-1) smashed 4th ranked Ovarense (11-7) 93-59. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ovarense. Benfica dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Ovarense's 20. Benfica forced 21 Ovarense turnovers and outrebounded them 43-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Aaron Broussard (196-1990, college: Seattle) who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Croatian power forward Ivica Radic (208-1990) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four Benfica players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Daniel Oladapo (203-2000, college: NCCU) who recorded 12 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Alexander Thompson (203-1995, college: Samford) added 14 points respectively. 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 17-1 record. Loser Ovarense keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Benfica will meet Galitos-Barreiro (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Ovarense will play against Oliveirense and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ovarense: A.Thompson 14+1reb+3ast, D.Oladapo 12+7reb, A.Woods 12+3ast, D.Blaylock 6+3reb+2ast, N.Morais 6+1reb+1ast, R.Soeiro 6+2reb
Benfica: A.Broussard 20+8reb+3ast, I.Radic 14+11reb+3ast, T.Drechsel 12+6reb+3ast, B.Gomes 11+1reb+1ast, M.Ben Romdhane 10+3reb+1ast, J.Silva 9+5reb+2ast

Imortal - Esgueira 90-87

Important game to mention about took place in Albufeira. Eighth ranked Imortal (8-10) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Esgueira (8-10) 90-87 in the game for the seventh place. Esgueira was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Javian Davis (206-1999, college: UAB) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import guard Daryl Banks III (190-2000, college: St.Bonaventure, agency: Diamond Sports) supported him with 20 points and 5 assists. Imortal's coach Bernardo Pires allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 16 points and 8 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) by point guard Miguel Monteiro (177-2003, agency: Promo Sport ID) did not help to save the game for Esgueira. American power forward Michael Diggins (205-1998, college: UIC, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) added 17 points and 8 rebounds. Five Esgueira players scored in double figures. Imortal moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Esgueira and Vitoria SC. Imortal will play against Queluz (#10) on the road in the next round. Esgueira will play against the league's second-placed FC Porto where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Esgueira: B.Alston 21+2reb+1ast, M.Diggins 17+8reb+1ast, M.Monteiro 16+3reb+8ast, T.Toney 15+5reb+2ast, D.Tillman 13+2reb+1ast, K.Nwagboso 3+5reb
Imortal: J.Davis 27+10reb+1ast, M.Flowers 22+1reb+2ast, D.Banks III 20+1reb+5ast, S.Victo 7+4ast, F.Lima 6+4reb, L.Behrend 4+3reb+1ast

FC Porto - Galomar 82-78

Very predictable result when second ranked FC Porto (15-3) defeated at home bottom-ranked Galomar (2-16) 82-78 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Strangely Galomar outrebounded FC Porto 38-24 including 25 on the defensive glass. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was Devyn Marble (198-1992, college: Iowa) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Point guard Toney Douglas (189-1986, college: FSU) chipped in 13 points and 4 assists. FC Porto's coach Fernando Sa used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was center Michael Durr (213-1998, college: UCF) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!) and guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. FC Porto maintains second position with 15-3 record having just two points less than leader Benfica. Galomar lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. FC Porto will meet Esgueira (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Galomar will play against Sporting and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Galomar: S.Davis Jr. 19+5reb+2ast, M.Durr 18+10reb, M.Drumwright 13+2reb+3ast, N.Sa 12+10reb+1ast, P.Oliveira 10+1reb+1ast, B.Macachi 4+7reb
FC Porto: D.Marble 22+5reb+4ast, M.Landis 15+1reb+2ast, M.Queiroz 13+6reb+1ast, T.Douglas 13+3reb+4ast, X.Williams 11+2reb+1ast, P.Fayne II 8+3reb+2ast

Sporting - Povoa 84-57

Not a big story in a game in Lisbon where 11th ranked Povoa (4-14) was rolled over by third ranked Sporting (12-6) 84-57 on Saturday. Sporting looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) who scored 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international forward Arnette Hallman (200-1988) chipped in 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was French point guard Renathan Embo (195-1998, college: Tulane) who recorded 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American swingman Scott Suggs (197-1989, college: Washington) added 12 points respectively. 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. Sporting maintains third position with 12-6 record having five points less than leader Benfica. Loser Povoa dropped to the tenth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Queluz. Sporting will meet bottom-ranked Galomar (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Povoa will play against Vitoria SC and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Povoa: R.Embo 16+6reb+6ast, S.Suggs 12+3reb, M.Loncovic 7+5reb+3ast, K.Gomes 6+5reb, S.Robinson 4+6reb, J.McCloud 4+3reb+2ast
Sporting: L.Debaut 20+7reb+1ast, N.Ward 10+2reb, J.Bailey 10+7reb+1ast, T.Guers 7+6reb+4ast, K.Kennedy 7+2reb, A.Hallman 7+7reb+5ast

Oliveirense - Queluz 88-69

Everything went according to plan in Oliveira where fifth ranked Oliveirense (10-8) outscored 10th ranked Queluz (4-14) 88-69 on Sunday. Oliveirense forced 24 Queluz turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Queluz's players. The best player for the winners was naturalized Cape Verdean Joao Embalo (201-2001, agency: Promo Sport ID) who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Danjel Purifoy (201-1995, college: Auburn, agency: Helping Ballers) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Drew Buggs (190-1997, college: Winthrop) who recorded 19 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import forward Latreavin Black (196-2000, college: S.Arkansas, agency: Interperformances) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Four Queluz players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Oliveirense maintains fifth position with 10-8 record. Queluz lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Povoa. Oliveirense will meet higher ranked Ovarense (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Queluz will play against Imortal (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Queluz: D.Buggs 19+2reb+4ast, K.Scott 14+4reb+1ast, L.Black 11+9reb+3ast, G.Parham 10+2reb+3ast, J.Kohajda 7+8reb, A.Guedes 5
Oliveirense: J.Embalo 18+5reb+1ast, D.Hawkins 13+2reb+3ast, D.Purifoy 12+7reb+1ast, O.Steger 9+3ast, M.Morgan 9+4reb+4ast, C.Cardoso 9+1reb+2ast

FC Porto - Ovarense 75-77

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga Betclic took place in Porto. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best FC Porto (15-3) to fourth ranked Ovarense (11-7) 77-75 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Antonio Woods (185-1995, college: Pennsylvania) scored 12 points and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and swingman Delaney Blaylock (196-1997, college: Lewis) chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Ovarense players scored in double figures. Ovarense's coach Joao Tiago used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Devyn Marble (198-1992, college: Iowa) with 23 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Toney Douglas (189-1986, college: FSU) scored 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Ovarense maintains fourth position with 11-7 record. FC Porto at the other side keeps the second place with three games lost. Ovarense are looking forward to face Oliveirense (#5) in Oliveira in the next round. FC Porto will play on the road against Esgueira and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
FC Porto: D.Marble 23+6reb+2ast, W.Washpun 15+2reb+3ast, T.Omlid 10+1reb+2ast, T.Douglas 9+7reb+5ast, X.Williams 9+8reb+2ast, P.Fayne II 5+8reb+3ast
Ovarense: D.Oladapo 14+7reb, D.Blaylock 13+6reb+2ast, L.Rahama 12+4reb+1ast, A.Woods 12+3reb+9ast, A.Thompson 11+4reb, J.Silva 6+8reb+1ast

Galomar - Vitoria SC 75-82

There was no surprise when 12th ranked Galomar (2-16) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Vitoria SC (8-10) 82-75 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was guard Zahir Porter (198-2000, college: Weber St.) who scored 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Center Trey Moses (208-1997, college: Ball St., agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 9 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) who recorded 26 points and point guard Malcolm Drumwright (188-1995, college: Jax State) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively. Vitoria SC moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Imortal and Esgueira. Galomar lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Vitoria SC will meet Povoa (#11) on the road in the next round. Galomar will play against Sporting and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Galomar: S.Davis Jr. 26+2reb+2ast, M.Drumwright 17+1reb+5ast, N.Sa 10+5reb, M.Durr 8+11reb, B.Macachi 6+7reb, J.Kennedy 3+9reb+4ast
Vitoria SC: Z.Porter 26+8reb+5ast, A.Daye Jr. 12+3reb+1ast, P.Pinto 10+4reb+1ast, T.Moses 9+8reb+1ast, W.Loyd 8+4reb+1ast, P.Bastos 5