Liga Nationala Round 28 (Regular Season): #1 Oradea is defeated by Steaua

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Liga Nationala. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Oradea (21-5) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by tenth ranked Steaua (13-13) 97-82. The guests trailed by 5 points at the halftime before their 56-36 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Steaua shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Juwan Gray (203-1996, college: Towson, agency: Blacktop Management) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import point guard Kenny Dye (183-2000, college: Queens, NC) who added 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) responded with 11 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Steaua have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain tenth position with 13-13 record. Oradea at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. Steaua are looking forward to face higher ranked Valcea (#9) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Oradea will play on the road against the league's second-placed Dinamo (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Pitesti (#4) was upset in Pitesti by seventh ranked Craiova 102-85. The winners were led by American point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St., agency: SLN) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 assists and Vlad Nistor supported him with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds by American forward Dimitrius Underwood (193-1998, college: Charleston, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Pitesti. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Craiova (15-11) moved-up to sixth place. Pitesti at the other side keeps the fourth position with ten games lost. They share it with Rapid. Craiova will play against higher ranked Rapid (#5) in Bucuresti in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Pitesti will play on the road against Timisoara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (21-5) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed fifteenth ranked Galati (0-27) 99-70. Emmanuel Nzekwesi fired 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Ianis Paduraru produced 20 points 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. Oradea maintains first position with 21-5 record. Loser Galati still closes the standings with 27 games lost. Oradea will meet league's second-placed Dinamo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Galati will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 28: winless Galati was destroyed by Targu Jiu on the opponent's court 96-63. Brasov managed to outperform Timisoara in a home game 98-88. Sibiu managed to beat Valcea on the road 98-86. Ploiesti CSM was defeated by Rapid on its own court 78-84.



Targu Jiu - Galati 96-63

The game between closely ranked teams ended with bottom-ranked Galati's (0-27) road loss to fourteenth ranked Targu Jiu (4-23) 63-96 on Tuesday. Targu Jiu dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Galati's 30. They outrebounded Galati 41-30 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Targu Jiu looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Collin Cooper (188-2001, college: EKU) fired 24 points and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Rob Montgomery Jr (198-1997, college: CMU) chipped in 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Targu Jiu players scored in double figures. Serbian point guard Mihailo Jovicic (190-1999, agency: BIG) produced 14 points and 4 assists and Lithuanian forward Martynas Arlauskas (203-2000, college: Gonzaga) added 8 points and 5 rebounds 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. Newly promoted Targu Jiu maintains fourteenth position with 4-23 record. Loser Galati still closes the standings with 27 games lost. Targu Jiu will meet at home higher ranked Ploiesti CSM (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Galati will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Targu Jiu: C.Collin 24+3reb+5ast, M.Rob 19+8reb+4ast, E.Marcus 13+6reb+8ast, M.Carcoana 11+9reb, D.Lewis 10+4reb, C.Luca 6+3reb+2ast
Galati: M.Jovicic 14+4reb+4ast, P.Ianis 11+3reb+1ast, N.Johnson 9+1reb, T.Wilcox 9+1reb, M.Arlauskas 8+5reb+2ast, D.Axinte 6+4reb+2ast

Pitesti - Craiova 85-102

Pitesti (#4) was upset in Pitesti by seventh ranked Craiova 102-85. The game was mostly controlled by Craiova. Pitesti was better in fourth quarter 29-25. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The winners were led by American point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St., agency: SLN) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 assists and forward Vlad Nistor (181-2003) supported him with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds by American forward Dimitrius Underwood (193-1998, college: Charleston, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Pitesti. His fellow American import forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Craiova (15-11) moved-up to sixth place. Pitesti at the other side keeps the fourth position with ten games lost. They share it with Rapid. Craiova will play against higher ranked Rapid (#5) in Bucuresti in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Pitesti will play on the road against Timisoara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Craiova: S.Sam 33+2reb+10ast, N.Vlad 26+6reb+4ast, S.Kentwan 14+12reb+1ast, R.Kendall 9+5reb+1ast, V.David 9+5reb+2ast, D.DeAndre 7+3reb
Pitesti: D.Underwood 18+9reb+2ast, K.Lewis 16+6reb+4ast, R.Djokovic 15+4ast, M.Ciotlaus 9+5reb+1ast, T.Somacescu 8+3reb+3ast, C.Baciu 6+6reb

Brasov - Timisoara 98-88

There was a surprise result when twelfth ranked Brasov (12-14) defeated at home higher ranked Timisoara (14-12) 98-88 on Tuesday. The hosts trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 13-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 98-88. David Lapuste (185-2004, agency: 011 Sports) fired 14 points and 8 assists for the winners. American guard CJ Williamson (196-2000, college: UAH) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Serbian-Austrian guard Bogic Vujosevic (190-1992) produced 24 points and 8 assists and Serbian-Portuguese center Sasa Borovnjak (205-1989, college: Penn State, agency: 011 Sports) added 23 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brasov maintains twelfth position with 12-14 record. Loser Timisoara dropped to the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Sibiu and Valcea. Brasov will meet higher ranked Targu Mures (#11) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Timisoara will play against Pitesti (#4) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Brasov: M.Mihai 17+3reb+1ast, W.CJ 16+5reb+1ast, L.David 14+2reb+8ast, J.Tyrell 12+7reb, N.Dimitrije 9+6reb, S.Grant 8+2reb
Timisoara: B.Vujosevic 24+3reb+8ast, S.Borovnjak 23+9reb+1ast, D.Thomas 17+1reb+3ast, J.Nesbitt 10+5reb+5ast, S.Robert 8+4reb+1ast, M.Dragoste 3

Valcea - Sibiu 86-98

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Ramnicu Valcea where 8th ranked Valcea (14-12) was defeated by ninth ranked Sibiu (14-12) 98-86 on Tuesday. The game was mostly controlled by Sibiu. Valcea managed to win third quarter 22-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Sibiu looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St.) fired a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Monyea Pratt (196-1985, college: Stillman) chipped in 7 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international center Rares Uta (211-1997, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Bryn Forbes (190-1993, college: Michigan St.) added 19 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Sibiu moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Timisoara and Valcea. Sibiu will meet at home higher ranked Voluntari (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Valcea will play against Steaua (#10) in Bucuresti and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sibiu: S.Anthony 33+15reb+5ast, K.Tavon 18+2ast, R.MJ 11+2reb+6ast, F.David 11+4reb, A.Zetos 10+4reb+1ast, P.Monyea 7+8reb+10ast
Valcea: B.Forbes 19+3reb+3ast, R.Uta 15+11reb+2ast, P.McCaffery 11+3reb+1ast, E.Lecomte 11+2reb+4ast, K.Gabriel 7+1reb+1ast, T.Lucas 6+5ast

Oradea - Steaua B. 82-97

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Oradea (21-5) at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by tenth ranked Steaua (13-13) 97-82. The guests trailed by 5 points at the halftime before their 56-36 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Steaua shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Juwan Gray (203-1996, college: Towson, agency: Blacktop Management) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import point guard Kenny Dye (183-2000, college: Queens, NC) who added 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) responded with 11 points and 8 assists and Canadian center Kalif Young (206-1997, college: Providence) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. 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. Steaua have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain tenth position with 13-13 record. Oradea at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. Steaua are looking forward to face higher ranked Valcea (#9) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Oradea will play on the road against the league's second-placed Dinamo (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Steaua B.: G.Juwan 29+7reb+2ast, D.Kenny 24+5reb+4ast, A.Dame 11+3reb+4ast, A.Alin 10+4reb+1ast, M.Brandon 9+3reb+3ast, V.Alexandru 7+1reb+3ast
Oradea: K.Young 14+5reb, K.Richard 11+3reb+8ast, T.Bropleh 10+8reb, B.Sy 10+5reb, E.Nzekwesi 10+3reb, J.Lottie 9+2reb+6ast

Ploiesti CSM - Rapid 78-84

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Rapid (16-10) beat on the road 13th ranked Ploiesti CSM (7-19) 84-78 on Tuesday. The guests trailed by 2 points at the halftime before their 26-13 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. Rapid made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) fired 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Canadian guard Isiah Osborne (198-1996, college: Carleton, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 19 points and 5 assists. Five Rapid players scored in double figures. Serbian center Veljko Brkic (206-1995) produced 19 points and 5 rebounds and the former international point guard Codrut-Alexander Dinu (187-2007) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rapid have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Pitesti. Loser Ploiesti CSM keeps the thirteenth position with 19 games lost. Rapid will meet Craiova (#6) on the road in the next round. Ploiesti CSM will play against Targu Jiu (#14) in Rovinari and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rapid: J.Nikola 21+8reb+2ast, O.Isiah 19+2reb+5ast, S.Lewis 13+3reb, G.Aurelian 10+4reb+1ast, P.Roman 10+1reb+5ast, F.Tudor 4+2reb
Ploiesti CSM: V.Brkic 19+5reb, D.Codrut-Alexander 14+2reb+4ast, K.Cooper 10+2reb+2ast, J.Febres 7+3reb, R.David-Loan 7+2reb+3ast, A.George 6

Oradea - Galati 99-70

Liga Nationala top team - Oradea (21-5) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed fifteenth ranked Galati (0-27) 99-70. The game was mostly controlled by Oradea. Galati managed to win third quarter 23-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Oradea dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Galati's 34. They outrebounded Galati 39-21 including a 28-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Oradea looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Galati's players. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) fired 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists. Four Oradea players scored in double figures. point guard Ianis Paduraru (189-2004) produced 20 points and American guard Tedrick Wilcox (198, college: Hampton) added 11 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. Oradea maintains first position with 21-5 record. Loser Galati still closes the standings with 27 games lost. Oradea will meet league's second-placed Dinamo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Galati will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Oradea: N.Emmanuel 20+7reb, B.Thomas 15+2reb+4ast, B.Ionut 12+1reb+1ast, R.Kris 11+2reb+3ast, T.Rolland 9+2reb+1ast, L.Jaizec 8+5reb+6ast
Galati: P.Ianis 20+2reb+1ast, T.Wilcox 11+4reb+2ast, M.Vlaicu 9, M.Arlauskas 8+1reb+2ast, D.Axinte 7+2reb+1ast, S.Robert 7+5reb+1ast