Liga Nationala Round 5 (Regular Season): Craiova edges Sibiu by two points

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in Liga Nationala, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the Liga Nationala took place in Sibiu. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 7th ranked Sibiu (2-3) to fifth ranked Craiova (3-1) 107-105 on Sunday evening. The guests trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 107-105. The best player for the winners was American guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) who scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import forward Demetrius Davis (203-2001, college: UNCG, agency: Olsta) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Craiova's coach Zare Markovski used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) produced 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field) for the hosts. Craiova moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Dinamo. Sibiu at the other side keeps the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Craiova is looking forward to face Oradea (#6) at home in the next round. Sibiu will play against Timisoara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Oradea (3-2) against tenth ranked Rapid (2-3) on Saturday night. Visiting Oradea was defeated by Rapid in Bucuresti 96-79. Icelandic swingman Styrmir Thrastarson (200-2001, college: Davidson, agency: Blacktop Management) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Munis Tutu contributed with 18 points and 12 assists for the winners. Ivorian-Canadian forward Quincy Guerrier (203-1999, college: Illinois) answered with 19 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for Oradea. Oradea's coach Mikko Riipinen rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Rapid moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Oradea at the other side dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. Rapid will play against league's second-placed Targu Mures on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oradea will play against Craiova (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Undefeated leader Voluntari delivered the fifth consecutive victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 8th ranked Pitesti (2-3) 77-64. The game was dominated by American players. Damion Rosser stepped up and scored 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Josh Price responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Undefeated Voluntari (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 5 victories in a row. Loser Pitesti dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Voluntari will meet at home Dinamo (#5) in the next round. Pitesti will play against Valcea in Ramnicu Valcea and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Galati was crushed by Valcea in Ramnicu Valcea 97-67. Ploiesti CSM was smashed by Targu Mures at home 81-110. Brasov lost to Steaua on the opponent's court 89-94. Dinamo managed to outperform Timisoara in a home game 73-67.
The best stats of 5th round was 23 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists by Donovan Ivory of Valcea.



Pitesti - Voluntari 64-77:
Undefeated leader Voluntari delivered the fifth consecutive victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 8th ranked Pitesti (2-3) 77-64. The game without a history. Voluntari led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Pitesti's 26 and made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Pitesti 48-35 including 33 on the defensive glass. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Damion Rosser (195-1999, college: LSUNO, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and forward Lewis Sullivan (201-1995, college: UAB, agency: BIG) chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Voluntari players scored in double figures. Forward Josh Price (205-1996, college: S.Indiana) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and guard Darryl Morsell (196-1999, college: Marquette) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Voluntari (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 5 victories in a row. Loser Pitesti dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Voluntari will meet at home Dinamo (#5) in the next round. Pitesti will play against Valcea in Ramnicu Valcea and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Voluntari: R.Damion 22+8reb+3ast, A.Marcus 11+4reb+1ast, S.Lewis 11+13reb+3ast, J.Kodi 10+1reb+2ast, S.Tudor 9+2reb+2ast, A.Mukeba-Kasanda 6+11reb+1ast
Pitesti: A.Blidaru 17+2reb+2ast, J.Price 17+11reb+1ast, D.Morsell 14+7reb, A.Pruitt 7+5reb+1ast, M.Toppin 4+1reb, H.Kantonen 3+6reb+2ast

Rapid - Oradea 96-79:
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Oradea (3-2) against tenth ranked Rapid (2-3) on Saturday night. Visiting Oradea was defeated by Rapid in Bucuresti 96-79. Oradea was ahead by 4 points at the halftime before a 55-34 second half run of Rapid. They made 18-of-22 charity shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Oradea's players. Icelandic swingman Styrmir Thrastarson (200-2001, college: Davidson, agency: Blacktop Management) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Egyptian-Canadian point guard Munis Tutu (183-1996, college: Carleton, agency: Inception Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 assists for the winners. Four Rapid players scored in double figures. Ivorian-Canadian forward Quincy Guerrier (203-1999, college: Illinois) answered with 19 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and British center Daniel Akin (206-1998, college: Utah St.) added 9 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Oradea. Oradea's coach Mikko Riipinen rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Rapid moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Oradea at the other side dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. Rapid will play against league's second-placed Targu Mures on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oradea will play against Craiova (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rapid: T.Styrmir 28+6reb+3ast, T.Munis 18+1reb+12ast, C.Harrison 17+1reb+3ast, P.Dylan 12+9reb+3ast, J.Nikola 9+6reb+1ast, B.Robbie 9+4reb
Oradea: Q.Guerrier 19+7reb+1ast, D.Nichols 11+1reb+3ast, K.Richard 10+3reb+3ast, M.Osborne 10+5reb, D.Akin 9+12reb, B.Hume 8+1reb

Valcea - Galati 97-67:
There was no surprise in Ramnicu Valcea where bottom-ranked Galati (0-5) was crushed by third ranked Valcea (4-1) 97-67 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by Valcea. Galati managed to win third quarter 24-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Galati 49-31 including a 40-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Valcea looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Valcea made 7 blocks. The game was also dominated by American players. Guard Donovan Ivory (198-2001, college: Southern Miss) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and point guard Siyani Chambers (183-1993, college: Harvard) chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. Four Valcea players scored in double figures. Forward Anthony Crump (203-1999, college: W.Michigan, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 5 points and 8 rebounds and forward Grant Sanders (203-2002, college: Nicholls, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 12 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Valcea moved-up to second place, which they share with Targu Mures. Galati lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Valcea will meet at home Pitesti (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Galati will play against Steaua (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Valcea: I.Donovan 23+16reb+4ast, C.Siyani 15+1reb+5ast, T.Miryne 12+4reb+3ast, D.Tohatan 12+1reb+3ast, R.Anton 8+3reb+1ast, R.Justin 7+1reb+1ast
Galati: G.Sanders 12+2reb+1ast, W.Peterson Jr. 10+3reb+1ast, M.Dorneanu 9+1reb+2ast, M.Johnson II 7+2reb+2ast, L.Carstea 7+5reb+1ast, I.Paduraru 6+2reb

Ploiesti CSM - Targu Mures 81-110:
No shocking result in a game when second ranked Targu Mures (4-1) smashed on the road 11th ranked Ploiesti CSM (1-4) 110-81 on Saturday. The game without a history. Targu Mures led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American forward David Ejah (201-2000, college: Indianapolis, agency: Players Group) stepped up and scored 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Canadian point guard Elijah Miller (183-1997, college: UPEI) chipped in 15 points and 11 assists. Swingman David Rasoga (187-2008) responded with 15 points and 5 assists and American-Canadian center Nic Lynch (211-2000, college: San Diego, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Five Targu Mures and four Ploiesti CSM players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Targu Mures. They maintain second place with 4-1 record behind leader Voluntari, which they share with Valcea. Loser Ploiesti CSM dropped to the twelfth position with four games lost. They share it with Brasov. Targu Mures will meet at home Rapid (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ploiesti CSM will play against Brasov and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Targu Mures: O.Isiah 22+5reb, E.David 22+9reb+1ast, M.Goran 21+3reb+3ast, M.Elijah 15+4reb+11ast, C.Collin 10+1reb+3ast, K.Dean 7+3reb+1ast
Ploiesti CSM: N.Lynch 16+6reb, D.Rasoga 15+4reb+5ast, D.Fometescu 14+2reb+5ast, G.Angelian 12+6reb+1ast, C.George 6+2reb+2ast, A.Calenic 6+3reb

Steaua - Brasov 94-89:
Everything could happen in Bucuresti at the game between two tied teams. Both thirteenth ranked Steaua and 12th ranked Brasov had identical 1-3 record. This time Steaua used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Brasov 94-89 on Saturday night. The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Steaua made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Canadian center Kyler Filewich (204-2001, college: Wofford) stepped up and scored 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and American guard Micah Thomas (180-2001, college: NSU, agency: Players Group) chipped in 18 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Five Steaua players scored in double figures. Steaua's coach Andrei Mandache allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American Mike Okauru (191-1999, college: UNCW) responded with 27 points and the other American import guard Samari Curtis (193-1999, college: BGSU) scored 25 points and 4 assists. Steaua (2-3) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Brasov lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with four games lost. They share it with Ploiesti CSM. Steaua will meet bottom-ranked Galati (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brasov will play against Ploiesti CSM and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Steaua: T.Micah 18+2reb+3ast, O.Dwon 15+5reb+2ast, F.Kyler 14+9reb+3ast, R.Robby 13+7reb+1ast, W.Scotty 12+2reb, S.Albert-Mark 12+1reb+1ast
Brasov: M.Okauru 27+1reb+3ast, S.Curtis 25+1reb+4ast, D.Adelekun 14+8reb+1ast, S.Hunter 7+5reb+4ast, A.Applewhite 6+3reb, D.Antonescu 4+6reb

Sibiu - Craiova 105-107:
The most exciting game of round 5 in the Liga Nationala took place in Sibiu. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 7th ranked Sibiu (2-3) to fifth ranked Craiova (3-1) 107-105 on Sunday evening. The guests trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 107-105. The best player for the winners was American guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) who scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import forward Demetrius Davis (203-2001, college: UNCG, agency: Olsta) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Five Craiova players scored in double figures. Craiova's coach Zare Markovski used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) produced 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field) and Mali forward Fousseyni Traore (198-2002, college: BYU) added 30 points and 11 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) respectively for the hosts. Craiova moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Dinamo. Sibiu at the other side keeps the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Craiova is looking forward to face Oradea (#6) at home in the next round. Sibiu will play against Timisoara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Craiova: D.Demetrius 23+5reb+2ast, P.Ronald 21+6reb+7ast, N.Vlad 18+1reb+3ast, L.Kino 13, D.Michael 12+6reb, G.Justin 10+2reb
Sibiu: R.MJ 38+5reb+4ast, F.Traore 30+11reb+1ast, S.Towns 11+8reb, M.Pratt 9+3reb+6ast, J.Battle 8+3reb+2ast, P.Ismael 5+1reb+1ast

Dinamo - Timisoara 73-67:
Rather predictable result in Bucuresti where sixth ranked Dinamo (3-1) beat 8th ranked Timisoara (2-3) 73-67 on Sunday. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 24-14. But Timisoara won second period 18-17. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Dinamo made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. American guard Anthony Roberts (196-2001, college: PFW) stepped up and scored 14 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Jonathan Stark (184-1995, college: Murray St., agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 15 points and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Four Dinamo players scored in double figures. The former international center Catalin Baciu (214-1988, college: Clemson) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds and American swingman Skyler Flatten (190-1995, college: S.Dakota St., agency: Slash Sports) scored 22 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dinamo moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Craiova. Loser Timisoara dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Dinamo will meet league's leader Voluntari on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Timisoara will play against Sibiu (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Dinamo: S.Jonathan 15+5ast, R.Anthony 14+7reb+1ast, B.DJ 14+5reb, D.Ousmane 13+5reb+1ast, N.Rostyslav 8+2reb, M.Derrick 6+4reb+6ast
Timisoara: S.Flatten 22+1reb+3ast, C.Baciu 19+7reb+2ast, T.Hankerson 10+5reb+3ast, S.Robert 7+1ast, K.Smith 4+2reb, K.Ross 3+8reb+9ast