Liga Endesa Round 15 (Regular Season): Murcia is defeated by Bilbao

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked UCAM (10-5) and eleventh ranked Surne Bilbao (7-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. UCAM was defeated by Surne Bilbao in Bilbao 96-82. 27 personal fouls committed by Murcia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for Norwegian point guard Harald Frey (188-1997, college: Montana St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points. American guard Justin Jaworski (190-1999, college: Lafayette) helped adding 22 points. The best for the losing side was American point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) with 25 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bilbao moved-up to ninth place. Murcia lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Joventut. Bilbao are looking forward to face higher ranked Tenerife (#7) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Murcia will play against Zaragoza and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Valencia (11-3) against eighth ranked Unicaja (9-6) on Saturday night. Host Valencia was defeated by Unicaja in a tough game in Valencia 70-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Valencia. It was an exceptional evening for American-Jamaican guard Chase Audige (193-1999, college: Northwestern, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners and scored 20 points. Aleksander Balcerowski accounted for 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. American-Hungarian Nathan Reuvers (211-1998, college: Wisconsin) came up with 13 points and 8 rebounds for Valencia in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Unicaja moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Tenerife. Valencia at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. Unicaja will play against bottom-ranked Granada (#18) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Valencia will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Liga Endesa top team - Real Madrid (13-2) added another victory to their record on Sunday. This time they beat sixteenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (4-11) 90-85. The best player for the winners was Walter Tavares who scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Xavier Castaneda who recorded 21 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Andorra lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 11 games lost. Real Madrid will meet at home league's second-placed Valencia in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Andorra will play against Rio Breogan (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 15: bottom-ranked Granada was destroyed by Barca on the opponent's court 108-71. Zaragoza managed to outperform Gran Canaria in a home game 95-84. Baskonia managed to beat Girona on the road 96-85. Manresa defeated Rio Breogan on its own court 104-99. Joventut beat Burgos SP in Badalona 98-95. Tenerife lost to Lleida at home 87-94.



Barca - Granada 108-71

Very expected game when 18th ranked Coviran Granada (1-14) was crushed on the road by third ranked FC Barcelona (11-4) 108-71 on Sunday. Barca shot 63.5 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 57.7 percentage. The best player for the winners was Senegalese-French center Youssoupha Fall (221-1995) who scored 15 points. American swingman Myles Cale (198-1999, college: Seton Hall, agency: Network Sports International) chipped in 13 points. Five FC Barcelona players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) who recorded 21 points and Croatian Luka Bozic (200-1996) added 11 points and 5 assists respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. FC Barcelona have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Barca maintains third place with 11-4 record having just two points less than leader Real Madrid. Granada lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Barca will meet Burgos SP (#17) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Granada will play against Unicaja in Malaga and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Granada: J.Perez 21+4reb+2ast, L.Bozic 11+3reb+5ast, B.Burjanadze 9+3reb, L.Costa 7+2reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 6+1ast, A.Brimah 5+2reb+1ast
Barca: F.Youssoupha 15+4reb, B.Dario 14+2ast, C.Myles 13+3reb+2ast, P.Kevin 12+2reb+2ast, P.Joel 11+5reb+1ast, H.Willy 11+3reb

Zaragoza - Gran Canaria 95-84

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Zaragoza (6-8) defeated at home higher ranked Gran Canaria (6-8) 95-84 on Saturday. Zaragoza looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) who scored 18 points and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Uruguayan forward Joaquin Rodriguez (194-1999) chipped in 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Colombian swingman Braian Angola-Rodas (198-1994, college: FSU) who recorded 17 points and French power forward Pierre Pelos (205-1992) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Five Zaragoza and four Gran Canaria players scored in double figures. Gran Canaria's coach Jaka Lakovic rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Zaragoza moved-up to tenth place, which they share with defeated Gran Canaria. Zaragoza will meet higher ranked Murcia (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gran Canaria will play against Lleida (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gran Canaria: B.Angola-Rodas 17+4reb+1ast, K.Kuath 13+2reb+1ast, P.Pelos 11+5reb+3ast, L.Labeyrie 10+3reb+2ast, A.Albicy 9+1reb+3ast, Z.Samar 6+2reb+4ast
Zaragoza: R.Devin 18+3reb+5ast, Y.Santiago 14+3reb+1ast, S.Marco 11+3reb+2ast, B.Trae 11+1reb+6ast, S.DJ 10+2reb, S.Joel 10+5reb+1ast

Girona - Baskonia 85-96

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Basquet Girona (6-9) was defeated at home by eighth ranked Baskonia (9-5) 96-85 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was French Clement Frisch (201-2002) who scored 19 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard Trent Forrest (194-1998, college: FSU) chipped in 18 points and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) who recorded 16 points and 6 assists and Argentinian center Juan Fernandez (210-2002) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Baskonia have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Basquet Girona dropped to the twelfth position with nine games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Baskonia will meet at home Manresa (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Girona will play against Joventut in Badalona and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Girona: O.Livingston II 16+3reb+6ast, M.Hughes 13+2reb+1ast, J.Fernandez 11+6reb+2ast, M.Geben 10+3reb, S.Martinez 8+3reb+1ast, N.Maric 8+3reb
Baskonia: F.Clement 19+8reb, F.Trent 18+1reb+7ast, L.Timothe 15+3reb+2ast, K.Rodions 15+3reb+3ast, D.Mamadi 8+4reb+2ast, R.Gytis 7+2reb+1ast

Bilbao - Murcia 96-82

The game between third ranked UCAM (10-5) and eleventh ranked Surne Bilbao (7-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. UCAM was defeated by Surne Bilbao in Bilbao 96-82. 27 personal fouls committed by Murcia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for Norwegian point guard Harald Frey (188-1997, college: Montana St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points. American guard Justin Jaworski (190-1999, college: Lafayette) helped adding 22 points. The best for the losing side was American point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) with 25 points and American-Jamaican Devontae Cacok (201-1996, college: UNCW) scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. Five Bilbao and four Murcia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bilbao moved-up to ninth place. Murcia lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Joventut. Bilbao are looking forward to face higher ranked Tenerife (#7) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Murcia will play against Zaragoza and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Murcia: D.DeJulius 25+2reb+1ast, D.Cacok 16+9reb, E.Cate 10+6reb+1ast, M.Forrest 10+3reb+1ast, J.Radebaugh 9+2reb+2ast, D.Ennis 5+3reb+3ast
Bilbao: F.Harald 24+1reb+3ast, J.Justin 22+1ast, B.Bassala 14+7reb+1ast, P.Melwin 12+3reb+4ast, K.Martin 10+6reb+1ast, H.Darrun 5+2reb+1ast

Manresa - Rio Breogan 104-99

There was a small surprise when fourteenth ranked BAXI Manresa (6-9) beat at home 12th ranked Breogan Lugo (6-9) 104-99 on Saturday. Manresa made 32-of-40 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Belgian-Nigerian guard Retin Obasohan (191-1993, college: Alabama) who scored 32 points and 5 steals. Uruguayan guard Agustin Ubal (198-2003) chipped in 15 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Keandre Cook (194-1997, college: Missouri St.) who recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import point guard DeWayne Russell (180-1994, college: GCU) added 14 points and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Manresa moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Rio Breogan. Manresa will meet higher ranked Baskonia (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rio Breogan will play against Andorra (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rio Breogan: F.Alonso 18+1reb+1ast, K.Cook 17+7reb, D.Russell 14+2reb+5ast, D.Brankovic 13+6reb+1ast, J.Sakho 12+2reb, A.Aranitovic 6+2reb
Manresa: O.Retin 32+1reb, U.Agustin 15+3reb+2ast, O.Pierre 12+3reb+1ast, A.Kaodirichi 12+2reb, B.Ferran 10+8ast, O.Louis 6+6reb+1ast

Andorra - Real Madrid 85-90

Liga Endesa top team - Real Madrid (13-2) added another victory to their record on Sunday. This time they beat sixteenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (4-11) 90-85. The best player for the winners was naturalized Cape Verdean center Walter Tavares (220-1992) who scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. French guard Theo Maledon (192-2001) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Real Madrid players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Bosnian guard Xavier Castaneda (184-2000, college: Akron) who recorded 21 points and Ukrainian center Artem Pustovyi (219-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) added 12 points respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Andorra lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 11 games lost. Real Madrid will meet at home league's second-placed Valencia in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Andorra will play against Rio Breogan (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Andorra: X.Castaneda 21+2reb+1ast, A.Pustovyi 12+4reb, K.Kostadinov 10+3reb+1ast, K.Kuric 9+3reb+3ast, S.Evans II 8+3reb+3ast, S.Okoye 8+6reb+1ast
Real Madrid: H.Mario 14+5reb, T.Walter 13+7reb, M.Theo 11+5reb+4ast, L.Alex 10+6reb+1ast, A.Alberto 10+2ast, L.Sergio 9+4ast

Burgos SP - Joventut 95-98

There was no surprise when 17th ranked Burgos (3-12) was edged at home by fifth ranked Joventut (10-5) 98-95 on Sunday. Joventut made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Joventut outrebounded Burgos SP 35-23 including 25 on the defensive glass. Joventut looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Croatian center Ante Tomic (217-1987, agency: VIP Management) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) chipped in 35 points (!!!) (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). At the other side the best for losing team was American-North Macedonian center Ethan Happ (208-1996, college: Wisconsin) who recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds and Brazilian point guard Raul Neto (185-1992) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively. Four Burgos SP players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Joventut moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Murcia. Newly promoted Burgos SP keeps the seventeenth position with 12 games lost. Joventut will meet at home Girona (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Burgos SP will play against Barca (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Burgos SP: C.Gonzalo 19+2reb+1ast, E.Happ 19+9reb+3ast, J.Jackson 16+1reb+1ast, R.Neto 14+2reb+6ast, J.Samuels Jr. 10+3reb+2ast, L.Meindl 9+4reb+2ast
Joventut: H.Cameron 35+2reb+2ast, T.Ante 24+15reb+2ast, K.Yannick 13+4reb+2ast, V.Guillem 8+2ast, R.Ricky 4+4reb+8ast, H.Adam 4+3ast

Tenerife - Lleida 87-94

There was a surprise result when fifteenth ranked Lleida (6-9) won against on the road higher ranked Tenerife (9-6) 94-87 on Saturday. Lleida made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard James Batemon (185-1997, college: LMU) who scored 21 points and 5 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Hungarian power forward Gyorgy Goloman (210-1996, college: UCLA) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Five Lleida players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) who recorded 9 points and 13 assists and Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini (216-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Lleida moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Tenerife dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Unicaja. Lleida will meet higher ranked Gran Canaria (#11) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tenerife will play against Bilbao (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tenerife: G.Shermadini 18+6reb+1ast, W.Van Beck 11+1reb, R.Giedraitis 11+1reb+1ast, T.Abromaitis 9+2reb+3ast, M.Huertas 9+3reb+13ast, T.Scrubb 8+3reb+1ast
Lleida: B.James 21+4reb+5ast, G.Gyorgy 13+7reb+4ast, E.Melvin 12+5reb+2ast, W.Corey 11+5reb+6ast, S.John 11+5reb+1ast, P.Oriol 9+1reb+2ast

Valencia - Unicaja 70-76

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Valencia (11-3) against eighth ranked Unicaja (9-6) on Saturday night. Host Valencia was defeated by Unicaja in a tough game in Valencia 70-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Valencia. Unicaja brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for American-Jamaican guard Chase Audige (193-1999, college: Northwestern, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners and scored 20 points. Polish center Aleksander Balcerowski (217-2000) accounted for 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side. American-Hungarian Nathan Reuvers (211-1998, college: Wisconsin) came up with 13 points and 8 rebounds and American-Ivorian power forward Matt Costello (208-1993, college: Michigan St.) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Valencia in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Unicaja moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Tenerife. Valencia at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. Unicaja will play against bottom-ranked Granada (#18) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Valencia will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Valencia: N.Reuvers 13+8reb, J.Pradilla 10+4reb+2ast, D.Thompson 9+1reb+1ast, M.Costello 9+7reb+1ast, B.Badio 8+2reb+2ast, B.Key 7+2reb
Unicaja: A.Chase 20+1reb+2ast, B.Aleksander 10+7reb+1ast, T.Killian 9+6reb+2ast, P.Kendrick 8+3reb+5ast, W.James 6+2reb+1ast, S.Emir 6+6reb