Liga Nationala Round 25 (Regular Season): Rapid defeat Voluntari in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 25 in the Liga Nationala took place in Bucuresti. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Voluntari (17-6) to eighth ranked Rapid (13-10) 79-76 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) stepped up and scored 21 points for the winners and American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) chipped in 14 points and 5 assists. At the losing side the former international point guard Giordan Watson (177-1985, college: CMU) responded with 30 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rapid have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Timisoara and Valcea. Voluntari at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Rapid is looking forward to face Brasov (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Voluntari will play against Craiova (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (19-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Timisoara (13-10) 88-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Timisoara. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) nailed 19 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Bandja Sy accounted for 17 points. Serbian-Austrian guard Bogic Vujosevic (190-1992) came up with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Timisoara in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Oradea maintains first place with 19-3 record. Timisoara at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. They share it with Valcea and Rapid. Oradea will play against Targu Mures (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Timisoara will play against Valcea (#8) in Ramnicu Valcea and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Galati (0-23) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 23th consecutive match to twelfth ranked Steaua (11-13) 80-71 on Wednesday evening. Dame Adelekun fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Steaua B.'s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Tedrick Wilcox produced 16 points for lost side. Steaua moved-up to eleventh place. Galati lost their twenty third game in a row. They still close the standings with 23 games lost. Steaua will meet Targu Jiu (#14) in the next round. Galati will play against Dinamo having rather not much hope for a victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 25: Ploiesti CSM lost to Dinamo on the opponent's court 88-97. Pitesti managed to outperform Brasov in a home game 88-76. Targu Jiu managed to beat Sibiu on the road 87-84. Craiova defeated Valcea on its own court 97-83.



Dinamo B. - Ploiesti CSM 97-88

Very expected game in Bucuresti where 13th ranked Ploiesti CSM (6-17) was defeated by third ranked Dinamo (17-7) 97-88 on Wednesday. Ploiesti CSM trailed by 19 points after 3 quarters before a 26-16 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 88-97 at the end of the game. Guinean-American power forward Ousmane Drame (206-1993, college: Quinnipiac) fired a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Stefan Grasu (200-2003, agency: BIG) chipped in 14 points. Serbian center Veljko Brkic (206-1995) produced 21 points and 7 rebounds and the former international point guard Codrut-Alexander Dinu (187-2007) added 18 points and 6 assists respectively for lost side. Five Dinamo and four Ploiesti CSM players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Dinamo. They maintain third place with 17-7 record despite having the same number of points like the leader Cluj Napoca. Ploiesti CSM lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 17 games lost. Dinamo will meet Galati (#15) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Ploiesti CSM will play against Pitesti and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Dinamo B.: V.Radu 17+2reb, D.Ousmane 14+10reb+1ast, G.Stefan 14+3reb+3ast, L.Marcus 13+1reb+3ast, S.Jonathan 13+1reb+5ast, M.Derrick 12+3reb+4ast
Ploiesti CSM: V.Brkic 21+7reb+2ast, D.Codrut-Alexander 18+1reb+6ast, J.Febres 16+6reb+1ast, J.Andre 13+1reb+4ast, D.Brooks 8+6reb, R.David-Loan 6+3reb+4ast

Rapid - Voluntari 79-76

The most exciting game of round 25 in the Liga Nationala took place in Bucuresti. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Voluntari (17-6) to eighth ranked Rapid (13-10) 79-76 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) stepped up and scored 21 points for the winners and American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) chipped in 14 points and 5 assists. At the losing side the former international point guard Giordan Watson (177-1985, college: CMU) responded with 30 points and 5 rebounds and American point guard Mike Caffey (183-1993, college: LBSU, agency: Players Group) scored 10 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rapid have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Timisoara and Valcea. Voluntari at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Rapid is looking forward to face Brasov (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Voluntari will play against Craiova (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Rapid: J.Nikola 21+3reb, P.Roman 14+2reb+5ast, G.Tudor 8+1ast, N.Markovic 8+7reb+2ast, L.Oleksandr 7+3reb, F.Tudor 7+5reb+1ast
Voluntari: G.Watson 30+5reb+2ast, S.Young 12+6reb, M.Caffey 10+5reb+3ast, S.Anim 6+5reb+1ast, M.Barro 5+10reb+1ast, L.Skinner 5+2reb

Timisoara - Oradea 70-88

Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (19-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Timisoara (13-10) 88-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Timisoara. The game without a history. Oradea led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They outrebounded Timisoara 44-31 including a 33-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Timisoara was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) nailed 19 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Mali-French Bandja Sy (204-1990, college: NM State) accounted for 17 points. Serbian-Austrian guard Bogic Vujosevic (190-1992) came up with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian-Portuguese center Sasa Borovnjak (205-1989, college: Penn State, agency: 011 Sports) added 15 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for Timisoara in the defeat. Four Timisoara players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Oradea maintains first place with 19-3 record. Timisoara at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. They share it with Valcea and Rapid. Oradea will play against Targu Mures (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Timisoara will play against Valcea (#8) in Ramnicu Valcea and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Oradea: N.Emmanuel 19+3reb+1ast, S.Bandja 17+2reb+2ast, B.Thomas 13+3reb+4ast, P.Sayeed 8+4reb+2ast, N.Nicolae-Bogdan 8+4reb, Y.Kalif 8+7reb+2ast
Timisoara: S.Borovnjak 15+6reb, D.Thomas 14+2reb+4ast, B.Vujosevic 12+6reb+4ast, S.Robert 11+6reb+1ast, J.Nesbitt 7+2reb, D.Bjelic 4+1reb

Pitesti - Brasov 88-76

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Pitesti (15-8) defeated at home 11th ranked Brasov (10-13) 88-76 on Wednesday. The game was mostly controlled by Pitesti. Brasov managed to win fourth quarter 28-27. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Pitesti made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. American forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import forward Dimitrius Underwood (193-1998, college: Charleston, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Pitesti players scored in double figures. American guard CJ Williamson (196-2000, college: UAH) produced 15 points and the former international forward Mihai Maciuca (193-2000, agency: One Motive Sports) added 14 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Pitesti maintains fourth place with 15-8 record. Loser Brasov dropped to the twelfth position with 13 games lost. Pitesti will meet Ploiesti CSM (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brasov will play against Rapid and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pitesti: L.Kendall 23+10reb+2ast, T.Marcus 16+2reb+6ast, U.Dimitrius 12+10reb+4ast, D.Radovan 10+1ast, C.Marius 7+2reb, B.Catalin 7+5reb
Brasov: C.Williamson 15+3reb+2ast, M.Maciuca 14+3reb+2ast, D.Nikolic 9+5reb+1ast, A.Petica 8, T.Hankerson 7+7reb+5ast, D.Lapuste 6+5reb+3ast

Steaua B. - Galati 80-71

Bottom-ranked Galati (0-23) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 23th consecutive match to twelfth ranked Steaua (11-13) 80-71 on Wednesday evening. Galati trailed by 13 points after 3 quarters before a 21-17 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 71-80 at the end of the game. Steaua dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Galati's 34. They outrebounded Galati 41-21 including a 29-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Dame Adelekun (203-2001, college: Loyola, IL) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. His fellow American import forward Juwan Gray (203-1996, college: Towson, agency: Blacktop Management) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Four Steaua B. players scored in double figures. Steaua B.'s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Tedrick Wilcox (198, college: Hampton) produced 16 points and forward Dragos Axinte (192-2002) added 16 points respectively for lost side. Steaua moved-up to eleventh place. Galati lost their twenty third game in a row. They still close the standings with 23 games lost. Steaua will meet Targu Jiu (#14) in the next round. Galati will play against Dinamo having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Steaua B.: A.Dame 23+10reb+4ast, A.Alin 14+4reb, A.Stan 12+4reb+2ast, G.Juwan 10+13reb+2ast, M.Brandon 9+3reb+6ast, S.Matea 6+1reb+1ast
Galati: T.Wilcox 16+4reb, D.Axinte 16+1reb+2ast, M.Arlauskas 7+4reb+3ast, M.Jovicic 7+4reb+5ast, S.Robert 7+2reb+1ast, M.Vlaicu 7+2reb+7ast

Sibiu - Targu Jiu 84-87

There was an upset when higher ranked Sibiu (12-12) was edged at home by fourteenth ranked Targu Jiu (3-21) 87-84 on Wednesday. The guests trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 25-16 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. Targu Jiu made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Marcus Evans (188-1996, college: VCU, agency: Olsta) fired 25 points and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Collin Cooper (188-2001, college: EKU) chipped in 18 points. Power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St.) produced 24 points and 8 rebounds and forward Monyea Pratt (196-1985, college: Stillman) added 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sibiu's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Targu Jiu maintains fourteenth place with 3-21 record. Loser Sibiu keeps the ninth position with 12 games lost. Targu Jiu will meet at home higher ranked Steaua (#11) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sibiu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Targu Jiu: E.Marcus 25+7ast, C.Collin 18+1reb+2ast, M.Rob 12+6reb, D.Lewis 10+7reb, G.Stefan 9+9reb+1ast, C.Luca 8+2reb+2ast
Sibiu: A.Smith 24+8reb+3ast, K.Stone 12+4reb+1ast, M.Pratt 12+7reb+6ast, A.Blidaru 12+1reb+3ast, E.Roschnafsky 8+4reb+2ast, M.Randolph 7+1reb+1ast

Craiova - Valcea 97-83

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Craiova and 5th ranked Valcea had identical 13-9 record. This time Craiova used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Ramnicu Valcea 97-83 on Wednesday night. The game was mostly controlled by Craiova. Valcea managed to win third quarter 26-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Craiova made 25-of-29 free shots (86.2 percent) during the game. Craiova had a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. American point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St.) fired 28 points and 8 assists for the winners. His fellow American import guard Kendall Robinson (198-1998, college: W.Connecticut) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Donovan Ivory (198-2001, college: Southern Miss) produced 16 points and 5 rebounds and Belgian point guard Emmanuel Lecomte (180-1995, college: Baylor, agency: Players Group) added 12 points and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Valcea's coach rotated ten players saving starting five for next games. Craiova (14-9) moved-up to fifth place. Loser Valcea dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. They share it with Timisoara and Rapid. Craiova will meet league's second-placed Voluntari on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Valcea will play against Timisoara (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Craiova: S.Sam 28+4reb+8ast, R.Kendall 13+7reb+1ast, D.DeAndre 12+4reb+1ast, L.Ishmael 12+3reb+5ast, S.Puscasu 9+4reb+1ast, T.Bogdan 7+2reb+1ast
Valcea: D.Ivory 16+5reb+3ast, B.Forbes 14+2reb, E.Lecomte 12+7ast, T.Harris 11+2reb, D.Pinckney 9+4reb, T.Nicoara 6+5reb