Liga Betclic Round 11 (Regular Season): FC Porto is defeated by Esgueira

Liga Betclic is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 11 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked FC Porto (7-4) and sixth ranked Esgueira (5-6) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. FC Porto was defeated by Esgueira in a tough game in Esgueira 67-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of FC Porto. It was a great evening for American forward Malik Porter (196-1999, college: Idaho St., agency: Starting 5) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Delvin Barnstable (193-2001, college: UW-Whitewater) helped adding 21 points and 7 rebounds. The former international power forward Goncalo Delgado (203-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds. FC Porto's coach Fernando Sa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Esgueira maintains sixth place with 5-6 record. FC Porto at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Oliveirense. Esgueira are looking forward to face higher ranked Ovarense (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. FC Porto's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Porto to the arena Vasco da Gama.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Porto. Third ranked host FC Porto (7-4) defeated their close opponent Ovarense (8-3) 74-62. It was an exceptional evening for American Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Tanner Omlid accounted for 13 points and 9 rebounds. American guard Jay Heath (190-2000, college: Georgetown) came up with 16 points and 6 rebounds for Ovarense in the defeat. FC Porto have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory FC Porto went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Oliveirense. Ovarense at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. FC Porto's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Porto to the arena Vasco da Gama.
Bottom-ranked Galitos-Barreiro managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of three consecutive losses on Saturday night. This time they won against sixth-ranked Queluz 91-81. The best player for the winners was Brayden Carter who scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Wesley Robinson produced 27 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Galitos-Barreiro (2-8) moved-up to eleventh place. Queluz lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Imortal and Braga. Galitos-Barreiro will meet league's leader Benfica in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Queluz will play against Imortal (#8) in Albufeira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 11: Imortal was destroyed by Sporting on the opponent's court 83-64. Bottom-ranked Vasco da Gama lost to defending champion Benfica in a home game 70-118. Vitoria SC recorded a loss to Oliveirense on the road 76-84. Braga was defeated by Ovarense on its own court 74-86.



Sporting - Imortal 83-64

Very expected game in Lisbon where 7th ranked Imortal (4-7) was crushed by second ranked Sporting (9-2) 83-64 on Friday. Sporting looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Brandon Johns Jr (203-1999, college: VCU) who scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). The former international point guard Diogo Ventura (193-1994, agency: Promo Sport ID) chipped in 14 points. American guard Keonte Kennedy (196-2000, college: California) produced 21 points and the other American import power forward Trevond Barnes (206-1997, college: Hampton, agency: One Motive Sports) added 8 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sporting have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 9-2 record behind leader Benfica. Loser Imortal keeps the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Queluz and Braga. Sporting will meet at home Vitoria SC (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Imortal will play against Queluz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Imortal: K.Kennedy 21+2reb, N.Lane 9+7reb+2ast, R.Jones 8+5reb+2ast, T.Barnes 8+9reb+3ast, S.Luis 7+3reb+1ast, K.Cardaci 6+3reb+2ast
Sporting: J.Brandon 22+9reb+4ast, V.Diogo 14+3reb+2ast, A.Francisco 10+3reb+2ast, S.Stephan 9+3reb+3ast, H.Maleeck 8+7reb+2ast, F.Joao 5+2reb+1ast

Vasco da Gama - Benfica 70-118

Very predictable result in Porto where leader Benfica (10-0) smashed bottom-ranked Vasco da Gama (2-9) 118-70 on Saturday. Benfica dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Vasco da Gama's 34 and made 24-of-31 free shots (77.4 percent) during the game. Benfica forced 21 Vasco da Gama turnovers and outrebounded them 47-22 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Benfica looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Vasco da Gama's players. The best player for the winners was Tunisian Makram Ben Romdhane (205-1989) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. The former international point guard Diogo Gameiro (182-1995) chipped in 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Benfica players scored in double figures. Ruben Nobre (192-2000) produced 25 points and American guard Sean Clancey (188-1995, college: Keyano) added 12 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Vasco da Gama's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Benfica have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 10-0 record. Newly promoted Vasco da Gama stay at the bottom position with nine games lost. Benfica will meet at home Galitos-Barreiro (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Vasco da Gama's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Porto FC Porto.
Top scorers:
Vasco da Gama: N.Ruben 25+4reb+1ast, L.Eduardo 12, C.Sean 12+2reb+5ast, Y.Akoi 9+5reb+1ast, F.Ferreira 6+2reb+3ast, A.Felizardo 4+4reb+1ast
Benfica: G.Diogo 20+5reb+4ast, B.Makram 16+10reb+3ast, D.Aleksander 16+8reb+3ast, Y.Temidayo 15+4reb+2ast, C.Geno 12+2reb+4ast, S.Jose 12+4reb+2ast

Oliveirense - Vitoria SC 84-76

Not a big story in a game in Oliveira where 10th ranked Vitoria SC (3-8) was defeated by fifth ranked Oliveirense (7-4) 84-76 on Saturday. Oliveirense made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Jimmy Boeheim (203-1998, college: Syracuse) who scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Leon Ayers III (195-2000, college: BGSU) chipped in 21 points and 5 rebounds. Guard Malique Jacobs (190-2000, college: Kent St.) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds and guard Chaunce Jenkins (193, college: Seton Hall) added 19 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Oliveirense moved-up to fourth place, which they share with FC Porto. Loser Vitoria SC keeps the tenth position with eight games lost. Oliveirense will meet at home league's leader Benfica in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vitoria SC will play against the league's second-placed Sporting (#2) in Lisbon and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vitoria SC: M.Jacobs 19+9reb+2ast, C.Jenkins 19+8reb+3ast, S.Peek 15+7reb+2ast, J.Sangha 14+6reb, B.Araujo 5+5reb+2ast, P.Pinto 2+1ast
Oliveirense: A.Leon 21+5reb+2ast, B.Jimmy 20+8reb+4ast, S.Jordan 14+2reb+2ast, E.Joao 10+6reb+3ast, T.Earl 7+8reb+1ast, A.Bessa 5+1reb+1ast

Galitos-Barreiro - Queluz 91-81

Bottom-ranked Galitos-Barreiro managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of three consecutive losses on Saturday night. This time they won against sixth-ranked Queluz 91-81. Galitos-Barreiro dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Queluz's 26. Galitos-Barreiro forced 25 Queluz turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Brayden Carter (206, college: MSU Denver, agency: Origins Sports Group) who scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Naturalized Cape Verdean Ivan Almeida (197-1989, college: Stonehill) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. American swingman Wesley Robinson (201-2002, college: Manhattan) produced 27 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard Jelani Simmons (196-2000, college: S.Indiana) added 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively for the guests. Four Galitos-Barreiro and five Queluz players scored in double figures. Galitos-Barreiro (2-8) moved-up to eleventh place. Queluz lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Imortal and Braga. Galitos-Barreiro will meet league's leader Benfica in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Queluz will play against Imortal (#8) in Albufeira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Queluz: W.Robinson 27+5reb+1ast, J.Simmons 12+6reb+5ast, J.Dixon 12+6reb+1ast, G.Tavares 10+2reb, D.Horta 10+4reb+1ast, D.Williams 6+2reb+1ast
Galitos-Barreiro: C.Brayden 29+5reb+4ast, D.Quentin 21+6reb+2ast, A.Ivan 16+7reb+7ast, B.Lisboa 13+2reb+7ast, R.Stein 5+4reb+1ast, D.Teotonio 4+3reb

Braga - Ovarense 74-86

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Ovarense (8-3) beat on the road 7th ranked Braga (4-7) 86-74 on Sunday. Ovarense made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American Jalen Jenkins (201-1994, college: GMU, agency: Players Group) who scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Antonio Woods (185-1995, college: Pennsylvania) chipped in 7 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Ovarense's coach Joao Tiago used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. point guard Carlos Cardoso (183-1997) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and American swingman Delaney Blaylock (196-1997, college: Lewis) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Ovarense maintains third place with 8-3 record having just one point less than leader Benfica. Braga lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Queluz and Imortal. Ovarense will meet Esgueira (#6) on the road in the next round. Braga will play against Galitos-Barreiro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Braga: D.Blaylock 19+3reb+5ast, C.Carlos 19+6reb+7ast, B.Robinson 12+4reb+5ast, M.Fofana 8+6reb+5ast, R.Monteiro 6+5reb+2ast, J.Bingham II 6+3reb+1ast
Ovarense: J.Jalen 25+6reb, H.Jay 14+3reb+1ast, M.Nuno 10, J.Silva 10+5reb, R.Soeiro 9+2reb+1ast, W.Antonio 7+6reb+6ast

Esgueira - FC Porto 76-67

The game between third ranked FC Porto (7-4) and sixth ranked Esgueira (5-6) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. FC Porto was defeated by Esgueira in a tough game in Esgueira 67-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of FC Porto. It was a great evening for American forward Malik Porter (196-1999, college: Idaho St., agency: Starting 5) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Delvin Barnstable (193-2001, college: UW-Whitewater) helped adding 21 points and 7 rebounds. Barnstable is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international power forward Goncalo Delgado (203-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds and American Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Four FC Porto players scored in double figures. FC Porto's coach Fernando Sa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Esgueira maintains sixth place with 5-6 record. FC Porto at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Oliveirense. Esgueira are looking forward to face higher ranked Ovarense (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. FC Porto's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Porto to the arena Vasco da Gama.
Top scorers:
FC Porto: G.Delgado 17+15reb, R.Beran 15+4reb+1ast, C.Hudson 13+5reb+2ast, T.Omlid 10+8reb+1ast, C.Allen-Williams 4+3ast, M.Cardoso 4+1reb+5ast
Esgueira: D.Barnstable 21+7reb, P.Malik 20+10reb, N.Bilamu 16+5reb+2ast, F.Hugo 7+6reb+8ast, E.Garita 6+4reb+1ast, T.Bol 4+2reb

FC Porto - Ovarense 74-62

The game between Top Four teams took place in Porto. Third ranked host FC Porto (7-4) defeated their close opponent Ovarense (8-3) 74-62. They outrebounded Ovarense 44-29 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for American Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import forward Tanner Omlid (196-1993, college: WOU) accounted for 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Jay Heath (190-2000, college: Georgetown) came up with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian center Ivan Pavicevic (206-2002) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for Ovarense in the defeat. FC Porto have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory FC Porto went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Oliveirense. Ovarense at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. FC Porto's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Porto to the arena Vasco da Gama.
Top scorers:
Ovarense: J.Heath 16+6reb+1ast, I.Pavicevic 12+6reb, A.Woods 8+4reb+5ast, M.Monteiro 8+1reb+4ast, S.Jonathan 4+2reb+1ast, T.Finke 4+2reb
FC Porto: H.Cornelius 22+11reb+5ast, D.Javian 14+6reb, O.Tanner 13+9reb+1ast, W.Wes 6+3reb+1ast, B.Robbie 5+5reb+1ast, V.Vladyslav 5+8reb