Liga Nationala Round 3 of Regular Season

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in Liga Nationala and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Craiova (2-1) against Pitesti (2-1) 95-84 was the most important game of the last round. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 11 points. Pitesti outrebounded Craiova 38-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. Pitesti looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Pitesti made 7 blocks. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for forward Josh Price (205-1996, college: S.Indiana) who led his team to a victory with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. point guard Josh Thompson (183-1996, college: Ball St.) contributed with 16 points and 5 assists for the winners. Forward Justin Gordon (198-1993, college: Wofford) answered with 23 points for Craiova. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Craiova will play next round against strong Dinamo trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Pitesti will try to continue on its current victory against Timisoara on the road.
Voluntari defeated Brasov at home 83-78. It was a great evening for American forward Lewis Sullivan (201-1995, college: UAB, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Marcus Azor helped adding 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Turkish-American guard Zavian McLean (193-2001, college: FGCU) with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Brasov will play next round against Valcea trying to get back on the winning streak. Voluntari will try to continue on its current victory against Galati at home.
Oradea (2-1) recorded a loss in Bucuresti on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Dinamo (2-1) 87-73. American players dominated also this game. It was an exceptional evening for Derrick Marks who led the winners and scored 16 points. David Nichols came up with 19 points, 8 assists and 4 steals for Oradea in the defeat. Oradea's coach Mikko Riipinen rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Dinamo will meet Craiova (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Oradea will play against Sibiu (#5) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 3: Ploiesti CSM beat Steaua on the road 76-68. Valcea lost to Targu Mures on its own court 83-91. Bottom-ranked Timisoara managed to outperform Galati in a road game 105-102. Rapid recorded a loss to Sibiu at home 123-127.



Dinamo - Oradea 87-73:
Oradea (2-1) recorded a loss in Bucuresti on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Dinamo (2-1) 87-73. The game without a history. Dinamo led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot 60.4 percent from the field and made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. American players dominated also this game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Derrick Marks (191-1993, college: Boise St., agency: Players Group) who led the winners and scored 16 points. Guard Jonathan Stark (184-1995, college: Murray St., agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 14 points for the winning side. Four Dinamo players scored in double figures. point guard David Nichols (183-1996, college: FSU) came up with 19 points, 8 assists and 4 steals and Malik Osborne (206-1998, college: FSU) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Oradea in the defeat. Oradea's coach Mikko Riipinen rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Dinamo will meet Craiova (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Oradea will play against Sibiu (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Oradea: D.Nichols 19+3reb+8ast, M.Osborne 14+7reb+2ast, D.Akin 13+5reb+1ast, Q.Guerrier 9+2reb, J.Jefferson 6+1reb+3ast, T.Fometescu 5+1reb
Dinamo: M.Derrick 16+3reb+3ast, S.Jonathan 14+4reb+3ast, R.Anthony 13+6reb+1ast, D.Ousmane 12+6reb+1ast, B.DJ 9+4reb+2ast, K.Nandor 6+1reb+2ast

Pitesti - Craiova 95-84:
First defeat of league's leader Craiova (2-1) against Pitesti (2-1) 95-84 was the most important game of the last round. The hosts trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 11 points. Pitesti outrebounded Craiova 38-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. Pitesti looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Pitesti made 7 blocks. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for forward Josh Price (205-1996, college: S.Indiana) who led his team to a victory with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. point guard Josh Thompson (183-1996, college: Ball St.) contributed with 16 points and 5 assists for the winners. Forward Justin Gordon (198-1993, college: Wofford) answered with 23 points and point guard Kino Lilly (183-2002, college: Brown, agency: Inception Sports) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Craiova. Four Craiova players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Craiova will play next round against strong Dinamo trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Pitesti will try to continue on its current victory against Timisoara on the road.
Top scorers:
Craiova: J.Gordon 23+4reb+1ast, K.Lilly 18+6reb+4ast, D.Davis 16+4reb+1ast, R.Polite 11+2reb+9ast, V.Nistor 9+1reb, B.Tibirna 5+1reb
Pitesti: P.Josh 27+5reb+5ast, T.Josh 16+3reb+5ast, M.Darryl 14+2reb+3ast, K.Henri 9+7reb+3ast, P.Akia 8+8reb+4ast, V.Nicolas 8+8reb

Steaua - Ploiesti CSM 68-76:
There was a small surprise when Ploiesti CSM (1-2) beat Steaua (1-2) in Bucuresti 76-68 on Saturday. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Steaua won third quarter 19-13. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Ploiesti CSM made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Malachi Smith (184-2002, college: UConn) who led the winners and scored 20 points. His fellow American import guard Matt Hayman (196-2002, college: Arkansas St., agency: 011 Sports) accounted for 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. Four Ploiesti CSM players scored in double figures. American guard Dwon Odom (188-2000, college: Tulsa) came up with 33 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (on 15-of-18 shooting from the field) and Canadian center Kyler Filewich (204-2001, college: Wofford) added 10 points and 15 rebounds respectively for Steaua in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Ploiesti CSM will meet at home Rapid (#14) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Steaua will play against Targu Mures (#3) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Steaua: D.Odom 33+9reb+2ast, K.Filewich 10+15reb+2ast, M.Thomas 10+1reb+2ast, S.Washington 8+7reb+1ast, A.Stan 7+4reb+1ast, C.Stefan 0
Ploiesti CSM: S.Malachi 20+4reb+2ast, H.Matt 15+7reb+2ast, R.David 11+5reb+6ast, L.Nic 11+8reb+1ast, S.Filip 6+6reb+3ast, C.Andrei 6+3reb

Valcea - Targu Mures 83-91:
There was a minor upset when Valcea (2-1) lost to Targu Mures (2-1) in Ramnicu Valcea 83-91 on Saturday. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Targu Mures shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 71.4 percentage. It was an exceptional evening for Canadian point guard Elijah Miller (183-1997, college: UPEI) who led the winners and scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. American forward David Ejah (201-2000, college: Indianapolis, agency: Players Group) accounted for 14 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Five Targu Mures players scored in double figures. American guard Justin Roberson (187-1993, college: ULM) came up with 22 points and the other American import guard Donovan Ivory (198-2001, college: Southern Miss) added 13 points respectively for Valcea in the defeat. Targu Mures will meet at home Steaua (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Valcea will play against Brasov (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valcea: J.Roberson 22+2reb+1ast, D.Ivory 13+4reb+1ast, S.Chambers 11+2reb+3ast, C.Coffey 8+6reb+2ast, T.Dan 7+1ast, R.Uta 7+6reb
Targu Mures: C.Collin 16+2reb+3ast, C.Vlad 15+1reb+1ast, M.Elijah 15+5reb+9ast, E.David 14+11reb+1ast, K.Dean 10+5reb+1ast, M.Goran 9+2reb+1ast

Voluntari - Brasov 83-78:
Voluntari defeated Brasov at home 83-78. Brasov was ahead by 4 points at the halftime before a 23-11 third quarter run of Voluntari. It was a great evening for American forward Lewis Sullivan (201-1995, college: UAB, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Marcus Azor (188-2000, college: UMass Dartmouth, agency: One Motive Sports) helped adding 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Voluntari players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Turkish-American guard Zavian McLean (193-2001, college: FGCU) with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Bahamas forward Samuel Hunter (206-2000, college: Akron, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Brasov will play next round against Valcea trying to get back on the winning streak. Voluntari will try to continue on its current victory against Galati at home.
Top scorers:
Brasov: Z.McLean 20+7reb+5ast, S.Hunter 13+6reb+3ast, M.Okauru 12+1reb+4ast, D.Adelekun 9+4reb+1ast, M.Vlaicu 8+5reb, A.Applewhite 8+3reb+1ast
Voluntari: S.Lewis 21+11reb+2ast, A.Mukeba-Kasanda 13+6reb+2ast, A.Marcus 11+9reb+6ast, R.Damion 11+3reb+1ast, D.Ibrahim 11+5reb+2ast, J.Kodi 9+2reb

Galati - Timisoara 102-105:
But Galati was not able to use a home court advantage and was edged by the opponent from Timisoara 105-102 on Saturday night. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Galati won third quarter 27-26. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Timisoara shot 61.7 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Galati's players. It was an exceptional evening for Bosnian forward Njegos Sikiras (204-1999) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Serbian point guard Strahinja Jovanovic (185-1996) accounted for 15 points and 7 assists for the winning side. Five Timisoara players scored in double figures. American guard Matt Johnson II (188-1999, college: N.Colorado, agency: One Motive Sports) came up with 24 points and forward Matei Dorneanu (197-2003) added 17 points respectively for Galati in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Timisoara will meet at home Pitesti in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Galati will play against Voluntari (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Galati: M.Johnson II 24+4reb+1ast, M.Dorneanu 17+4reb, D.Patru 13+2reb+4ast, A.Crump 9+7reb+1ast, G.Sanders 9+3reb+1ast, L.Carstea 8+1reb+1ast
Timisoara: S.Njegos 17+9reb+3ast, B.Catalin 16+1reb+1ast, J.Strahinja 15+4reb+7ast, F.Skyler 13+6reb+6ast, B.Walter 13+7reb+3ast, H.Trendon 11+2reb+3ast

Rapid - Sibiu 123-127 OT:
Not a big story in a game when Rapid (0-3) lost to Sibiu (2-1) in Bucuresti 123-127 on Monday. Rapid trailed by 12 points after 3 quarters before a 31-19 run in the last quarter tied the game at the end of regular time, But then they lost eventually overtime period 17-21. Sibiu made 36-of-44 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game, while Rapid only scored nineteen points from the stripe. They outrebounded Rapid 40-28 including 27 on the defensive glass. Sibiu looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) who led the winners and scored 47 points (!!!), 8 assists and 7 steals. Mali forward Fousseyni Traore (198-2002, college: BYU) accounted for 25 points and 17 rebounds (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) for the winning side. Randolph is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) came up with 28 points and 6 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) and Egyptian-Canadian point guard Munis Tutu (183-1996, college: Carleton, agency: Inception Sports) added 17 points and 9 assists respectively for Rapid in the defeat. Four Sibiu and five Rapid players scored in double figures. Rapid's coach Ionut Bascoveanu tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sibiu will meet Oradea (#6) on the road in the next round. Rapid will play against Ploiesti CSM (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Rapid: N.Jevtovic 28+6reb+3ast, M.Tutu 17+2reb+9ast, S.Thrastarson 17+4reb+1ast, H.Cleary 17+1reb+7ast, R.Beran 16+6reb+3ast, M.Maciuca 15+3reb+1ast
Sibiu: R.MJ 47+4reb+8ast, T.Fousseyni 25+17reb+2ast, P.Monyea 24+10reb+8ast, T.Sam 10+2reb+3ast, F.David 7+2ast, P.Andrei 6+1reb+1ast