Liga Nationala Round 16 (Regular Season): Voluntari is defeated by Dinamo

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Bucuresti between second ranked Voluntari (11-4) and seventh ranked Dinamo (8-7) on Friday night. Voluntari was defeated by Dinamo in a tough game on the road 78-82. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Voluntari. Voluntari was trailing by 4 points at halftime but managed to get 4-point lead after three quarters before a 26-18 charge of Dinamo, which allowed them to win the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Derrick Marks (191-1993, college: Boise St., agency: Players Group) who added 16 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American center Solomon Young (203-1998, college: Iowa St., agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 34 points (!!!). Voluntari's coach Dan Ioan rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dinamo moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Voluntari at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. Dinamo is looking forward to face Brasov (#10) on the road in the next round. Voluntari will play against Galati (#15) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Pitesti (10-5) against thirteenth ranked Sibiu (6-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Pitesti was defeated by Sibiu in a tough game in Sibiu 81-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Pitesti. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St., agency: Rep 3Sixty) who scored that evening 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Tavon King supported him with 19 points. Even 24 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) by forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) did not help to save the game for Pitesti. Pitesti's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Sibiu maintains thirteenth position with 6-9 record. Pitesti at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Sibiu will play against higher ranked Rapid (#7) in Bucuresti in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pitesti will play at home against Steaua (#11) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (13-1) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked Targu Jiu (1-14) 92-68. Kalif Young fired a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Oradea's coach Cristian Achim felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Collin Cooper produced 20 points for lost side. Oradea maintains first position with 13-1 record. Newly promoted Targu Jiu keeps the fourteenth place with 14 games lost. Oradea will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Targu Jiu will play against Valcea (#5) in Ramnicu Valcea and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 16: Rapid lost to Targu Mures on the opponent's court 96-103. Winless Galati was outscored by Valcea in a home game 69-96. Craiova was rolled over Timisoara on the road 85-64. Steaua defeated Brasov on its own court 105-101.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 6 rebounds by Tyrell Johnson of Brasov.



Oradea - Targu Jiu 92-68

Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (13-1) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked Targu Jiu (1-14) 92-68. The game was mostly controlled by Oradea. Targu Jiu managed to win second period 30-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Oradea dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Targu Jiu's 38. They outrebounded Targu Jiu 40-26 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Oradea looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Canadian center Kalif Young (206-1997, college: Providence) fired a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. Oradea's coach Cristian Achim felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Collin Cooper (188-2001, college: EKU) produced 20 points and forward Luca Carstea (198-2004, agency: One Motive Sports) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Oradea maintains first position with 13-1 record. Newly promoted Targu Jiu keeps the fourteenth place with 14 games lost. Oradea will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Targu Jiu will play against Valcea (#5) in Ramnicu Valcea and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Oradea: T.Rolland 18+3reb+1ast, B.Thomas 17+8reb+2ast, Y.Kalif 14+12reb+9ast, N.Nicolae-Bogdan 12+5reb, K.Nikola 11+2reb+1ast, B.Ionut 8+1reb
Targu Jiu: C.Cooper 20+2reb+2ast, S.Gribinic 12+3reb+2ast, L.Djonkam 10+3reb, L.Carstea 10+6reb+3ast, M.Evans 7+2reb+7ast, B.Andrei 6+3reb

Dinamo B. - Voluntari 82-78

The most important game in the last round took place in Bucuresti between second ranked Voluntari (11-4) and seventh ranked Dinamo (8-7) on Friday night. Voluntari was defeated by Dinamo in a tough game on the road 78-82. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Voluntari. Voluntari was trailing by 4 points at halftime but managed to get 4-point lead after three quarters before a 26-18 charge of Dinamo, which allowed them to win the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Derrick Marks (191-1993, college: Boise St., agency: Players Group) who added 16 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Dinamo B. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American center Solomon Young (203-1998, college: Iowa St., agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 34 points (!!!) and his fellow American import point guard Mike Caffey (183-1993, college: LBSU, agency: Players Group) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Voluntari's coach Dan Ioan rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dinamo moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Voluntari at the other side keeps the second position with four games lost. Dinamo is looking forward to face Brasov (#10) on the road in the next round. Voluntari will play against Galati (#15) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Dinamo B.: L.Marcus 17+1reb+3ast, M.Derrick 16+6reb+3ast, B.Vyacheslav 15+6reb+4ast, K.Nandor 12+4reb+5ast, D.Ousmane 7+7reb+1ast, V.Radu 7+1reb
Voluntari: S.Young 34+4reb, K.Justice 13+3reb+4ast, M.Caffey 13+4reb+4ast, M.Barro 6+5reb+3ast, T.Girbea 5+6reb+1ast, S.Anim 3+1reb

Sibiu - Pitesti 86-81

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Pitesti (10-5) against thirteenth ranked Sibiu (6-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Pitesti was defeated by Sibiu in a tough game in Sibiu 81-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Pitesti. Pitesti was ahead by 10 points after three quarters before a 31-16 charge of Sibiu, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 20 Pitesti turnovers. Pitesti was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St., agency: Rep 3Sixty) who scored that evening 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and point guard Tavon King (180-1997, college: Cumberland) supported him with 19 points. Four Sibiu players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) by forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) did not help to save the game for Pitesti. Guard Elijah Joiner (190-1999, college: Iona) added 14 points and 4 assists for lost side. Pitesti's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Sibiu maintains thirteenth position with 6-9 record. Pitesti at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Sibiu will play against higher ranked Rapid (#7) in Bucuresti in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pitesti will play at home against Steaua (#11) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sibiu: K.Tavon 19+2reb+1ast, A.Zetos 16+4reb+1ast, S.Anthony 15+6reb+6ast, R.MJ 14+1reb+1ast, S.Keith 10+2reb+1ast, R.Eduard 7+4reb+2ast
Pitesti: K.Lewis 24+7reb, E.Joiner 14+3reb+4ast, M.Thornton 11+4reb, T.Somacescu 7+1reb+1ast, R.Djokovic 6, T.Lenard Jr. 6+5reb+1ast

Targu Mures - Rapid 103-96

There was a minor upset when 5th ranked Rapid (8-7) was defeated on the road by eighth ranked Targu Mures (8-7) 103-96 on Saturday. The hosts trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 2-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 103-96. Targu Mures had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Montenegrin point guard Goran Martinic (187-1987, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) fired 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Center Szabolcs Santa (208-1987) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) produced 20 points, 8 assists and 4 steals and Serbian power forward Nikola Markovic (208-1989) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Targu Mures and five Rapid players scored in double figures. Targu Mures moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Rapid. Rapid lost third consecutive game. Targu Mures will meet higher ranked Craiova (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rapid will play against Sibiu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Targu Mures: D.Trey 25+4reb+4ast, M.Goran 25+5reb+7ast, S.Szabolcs 22+11reb+2ast, S.Michaelyn 12+2reb+7ast, M.Milija 9+3reb+2ast, R.Pavle 4+3reb+1ast
Rapid: R.Penn 20+4reb+8ast, M.Nikola 15+9reb, T.Hankerson 13+1reb+3ast, L.Sullivan 12+4reb+1ast, T.Gheorghe 12+1reb+3ast, E.Petrescu 12+11reb+1ast

Galati - Valcea 69-96

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Valcea (8-6) smashed on the road bottom-ranked Galati (0-14) 96-69 on Saturday. The game without a history. Valcea led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. Valcea looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Galati's players. American guard John Jenkins (193-1991, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) fired 23 points for the winners. The other American import forward Patrick McCaffery (206-2000, college: Butler, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 19 points. Four Valcea players scored in double figures. Serbian point guard Mihailo Jovicic (190-1999, agency: BIG) produced 12 points and 5 rebounds and guard Mihnea Vlaicu (178-2006, agency: One Motive Sports) added 13 points respectively for lost side. 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Loser Galati still closes the standings with 14 games lost. Valcea will meet at home Targu Jiu (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Galati will play against the league's second-placed Voluntari and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Valcea: J.John 23+1reb+1ast, M.Patrick 19+3reb+2ast, L.Emmanuel 12+4ast, U.Rares 10+9reb+3ast, C.Amedeo 6+6reb+2ast, N.Titus 6+4reb+2ast
Galati: M.Vlaicu 13+3reb+2ast, M.Jovicic 12+5reb+3ast, M.Arlauskas 11+2reb, N.Johnson 8+5reb, S.Robert 8+5reb+1ast, D.Axinte 7

Timisoara - Craiova 85-64

There was an upset when higher ranked Craiova (9-5) was rolled over on the road by ninth ranked Timisoara (8-7) 85-64 on Saturday. The game without a history. Timisoara led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Timisoara outrebounded Craiova 45-22 including a 38-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Jalen Nesbitt (198-1993, college: UNF) fired a double-double by scoring 10 points and 19 rebounds for the winners. point guard Devon Thomas (183-1994, college: Texas Tech) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. Five Timisoara players scored in double figures. Coach Dragan Petricevic's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St.) produced 24 points and guard Ishmael Leggett (190, college: Pittsburgh) added 13 points respectively for lost side. Timisoara moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Craiova keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Timisoara will meet at home Ploiesti CSM (#12) in the next round where they are favorite. Craiova will play against Targu Mures (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Timisoara: T.Devon 17+2reb+4ast, B.Sasa 14+5reb, V.Bogic 12+2reb+1ast, R.Schipor 11+4reb+1ast, N.Jalen 10+19reb+3ast, D.Mirel 9+1reb+1ast
Craiova: S.Sessoms 24+3reb+2ast, I.Leggett 13+4reb, V.Nistor 10+5reb+1ast, D.Vida 5, K.Robinson 5+3reb, P.Serban-Paul 4

Steaua B. - Brasov 105-101

There was a small surprise in Bucuresti where twelfth ranked Steaua (7-8) beat 10th ranked Brasov (7-8) 105-101 on Monday. The hosts trailed by 11 points after three quarters before their 27-16 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Steaua made 33-of-41 free shots (80.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Juwan Gray (203-1996, college: Towson, agency: Blacktop Management) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. The other American import point guard Kenny Dye (183-2000, college: Queens, NC) chipped in 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Steaua B.'s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international forward Mihai Maciuca (193-2000, agency: One Motive Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and American power forward Tyrell Johnson (203-1997, college: App State) added 24 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!) respectively for lost side. Five Steaua and four Brasov players scored in double figures. Steaua moved-up to tenth place, which they share with defeated Brasov. Steaua will meet higher ranked Pitesti (#3) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Brasov will play against Dinamo (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Steaua B.: D.Kenny 24+5reb+4ast, G.Juwan 24+12reb+3ast, A.Dame 22+8reb+2ast, A.Alin 12+5reb+2ast, A.Stan 11+3ast, M.Brandon 10+1reb+4ast
Brasov: T.Johnson 24+6reb+1ast, M.Maciuca 20+11reb+1ast, C.Williamson 19+7reb+2ast, M.Tutu 16+4reb+9ast, D.Nikolic 9+3reb+1ast, D.Lapuste 5+1reb+3ast