Round 9 (Second Stage): #1 UNICS is defeated by Parma-Pari

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked UNICS (25-9) in Kazan on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by fifth ranked Parma-Pari (19-14) 89-86. American swingman Isaiah Reese (196-1996, college: Canisius, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 20 points and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import swingman BJ Johnson (201-1995, college: La Salle) chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds. Parma-Pari's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was French Louis Labeyrie (208-1992) with 19 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Parma-Pari maintains fifth place with 19-14 record. UNICS at the other side still keeps top position with nine games lost. They share it with CSKA. Parma-Pari are looking forward to face higher ranked Lokomotiv (#4) in Krasnodar in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. UNICS will play on the road against Zenit in Saint Petersburg and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Moscow. Third ranked Zenit (23-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best CSKA (25-9) 92-91 on Thursday evening. American power forward Vincent Hunter (203-1994, college: UTEP) nailed 24 points and 4 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Sergey Karasev accounted for 15 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Melo Trimble (190-1995, college: Maryland, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with 20 points and 5 assists (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!) for CSKA in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Russian champion maintains third place with 23-10 record having just three points less than leader Uralmash. CSKA at the other side still keeps top position with nine games lost. They share it with UNICS. Zenit will play against league's leader UNICS in Kazan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. CSKA will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Minsk between Belarusian Minsk and Kazakhstan Astana. Eighth ranked Minsk (1-35) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Astana (12-24). Minsk managed to escape with a 2-point win 60-58 on Wednesday evening. The best player for the winners was Grigory Motovilov who scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Markell Johnson who recorded 25 points. Astana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Belarusian champion maintains eighth place with 1-35 record. It was Astana's fourth loss in a row. Defending Kazakhstan champion keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with N.Novgorod. Minsk will meet at home higher ranked Avtodor (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astana will play against Runa Basket and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: N.Novgorod lost to Runa Basket on the opponent's court 76-83. Samara unfortunately lost to Uralmash in a home game 77-83. MBA Moscow managed to beat Avtodor on the road 74-71. Enisey lost to Russian defending champion Zenit on its own court 79-98. N.Novgorod was beaten by MBA Moscow in a road game 70-77. Avtodor won against Astana at home 92-83. Minsk unfortunately lost to Uralmash on the opponent's court 79-85. Runa Basket recorded a loss to Samara in a home game 67-81. Lokomotiv was defeated by CSKA on the road 86-73.



Minsk - Astana 60-58

A very close game took place in Minsk between Belarusian Minsk and Kazakhstan Astana. Eighth ranked Minsk (1-35) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Astana (12-24). Minsk managed to escape with a 2-point win 60-58 on Wednesday evening. The best player for the winners was Russian guard Grigory Motovilov (191-1998) who scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Serbian forward Jovan Sljivancanin (196-1999, college: Carroll, MT) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Markell Johnson (188-1998, college: NC State) who recorded 25 points and the other American import forward Jordan Skipper-Brown (199-1998, college: Murray St.) added 7 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks respectively. Astana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Belarusian champion maintains eighth place with 1-35 record. It was Astana's fourth loss in a row. Defending Kazakhstan champion keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with N.Novgorod. Minsk will meet at home higher ranked Avtodor (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astana will play against Runa Basket and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Minsk: J.Sljivancanin 12+6reb+6ast, G.Motovilov 12+7reb+5ast, J.Cebasek 11+8reb, V.Stubeda 9+9reb+2ast, B.Dudu 6+5reb+1ast, U.Mikulski 5+1reb+2ast
Astana: M.Johnson 25+3reb+2ast, K.Anderson 8+4reb+3ast, J.Skipper-Brown 7+14reb, V.Chsherbak 6+2reb, R.Marchuk 4+3reb, R.Murzagaliyev 3

Runa Basket - N.Novgorod 83-76

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked N.Novgorod's (12-24) road loss to fifth ranked Runa Basket (14-22) 76-83 on Thursday. Runa Basket made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game, while N.Novgorod only scored eight points from the stripe. Strangely N.Novgorod outrebounded Runa Basket 34-21 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Juwan Morgan (203-1997, college: Indiana) who scored 16 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). American-Israeli center Alex Tyus (203-1988, college: Florida) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Runa Basket players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Alexander Chadov (202-2001) who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds and Andrey Vorontsevich (207-1987) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Runa Basket maintains fifth place with 14-22 record. Loser N.Novgorod keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Astana. Runa Basket will meet Astana (#7) in the next round. N.Novgorod will play against the league's leader Uralmash and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Runa Basket: A.Tyus 16+5reb+1ast, J.Morgan 16+6reb+1ast, N.Ivanovic 14+4ast, J.Hill 13+1reb+7ast, C.Young 7, I.Popov 7+4reb+1ast
N.Novgorod: C.Alexander 18+7reb+2ast, U.Blizniuk 12+1reb+2ast, K.Smith 10, A.Vorontsevich 10+5reb+3ast, E.Baburin 8+2reb+2ast, I.Strebkov 6+2reb+7ast

Samara - Uralmash 77-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked Uralmash's (22-14) road victory over second-best Samara (20-16) 83-77 on Thursday. Uralmash made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Octavius Ellis (208-1993, college: Cincinnati) who scored 31 points and 5 rebounds (on 13-of-14 shooting from the field). His fellow American import point guard Stanley Whittaker (183-1994, college: Keiser) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American Hayden Dalton (204-1996, college: Wyoming, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds and Serbian forward Rade Zagorac (204-1995) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Uralmash have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 22-14 record. Loser Samara keeps the second position with 16 games lost. Uralmash will meet N.Novgorod (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Samara will play against MBA Moscow (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Uralmash: O.Ellis 31+5reb+3ast, J.Douglas 15+4reb+3ast, T.Nelson 11, S.Whittaker 10+3reb+10ast, G.Nevels 7+3reb+2ast, K.Pisklov 5+3reb+2ast
Samara: H.Dalton 20+9reb+2ast, R.Zagorac 14+6reb+2ast, J.Roberson 12+1reb+2ast, J.Thompson IV 10+6reb, A.Gudumak 9+2reb+3ast, M.Kulagin 8+3reb+5ast

Avtodor - MBA Moscow 71-74

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Saratov where 3rd placed Avtodor (17-19) was edged by fourth ranked MBA Moscow (15-21) 74-71 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was guard Alexander Khomenko (190-1999) who scored 17 points. Forward Andrey Lopatin (206-1998, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. MBA Moscow's coach used entire bench in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Rayshaun Hammonds (206-1998, college: Georgia) who recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Malik Newman (190-1997, college: Kansas) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively. MBA Moscow have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 15-21 record. Avtodor lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with 19 games lost. MBA Moscow will meet league's second-placed Samara on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Avtodor will play against Minsk and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
MBA Moscow: A.Khomenko 17+4reb+2ast, A.Lopatin 14+7reb, M.Barashkov 11+1reb, T.Yakushin 6+3reb+1ast, E.Voronov 6+3reb+3ast, E.Minchenko 6+4reb
Avtodor: R.Hammonds 20+8reb, B.Garrett 14+3reb, M.Newman 13+4reb+4ast, S.Thornwell 8+7reb+4ast, D.Mavra 7+3reb+3ast, D.Beslac 5+3reb

Enisey - Zenit 79-98

Everything went according to plan in Krasnoyarsk where third ranked Zenit (23-10) outscored 6th ranked Enisey (17-16) 98-79 on Sunday. Zenit looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Trent Frazier (188-1998, college: Illinois) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 11 assists. French Adrien Moerman (202-1988) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. Four Zenit players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Canadian guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (193-1994, college: FSU) who recorded 23 points and 4 assists and American point guard Jeremiah Martin (189-1996, college: Memphis) added 19 points and 6 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Russian champion maintains third place with 23-10 record having just three points less than leader Uralmash. Loser Enisey keeps the sixth position with 16 games lost. Zenit will meet at home league's leader UNICS in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Enisey will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Zenit: T.Frazier 30+11ast, A.Moerman 20+7reb, S.Karasev 17+1reb+1ast, V.Hunter 10+7reb, T.Heurtel 5+2reb+7ast, K.Kuric 4+2reb+1ast
Enisey: X.Rathan-Mayes 23+1reb+4ast, J.Martin 19+2reb+6ast, B.Beech 18+7reb+1ast, M.Hopkins 7+7reb, V.Karpenko 5+3reb+1ast, E.Belyankov 4+5reb

UNICS - Parma-Pari 86-89

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked UNICS (25-9) in Kazan on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by fifth ranked Parma-Pari (19-14) 89-86. American swingman Isaiah Reese (196-1996, college: Canisius, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 20 points and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import swingman BJ Johnson (201-1995, college: La Salle) chipped in 18 points and 7 rebounds. Parma-Pari's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was French Louis Labeyrie (208-1992) with 19 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American guard Erick Green (190-1991, college: Virginia Tech) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. Four Parma-Pari and five UNICS players scored in double figures. Parma-Pari maintains fifth place with 19-14 record. UNICS at the other side still keeps top position with nine games lost. They share it with CSKA. Parma-Pari are looking forward to face higher ranked Lokomotiv (#4) in Krasnodar in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. UNICS will play on the road against Zenit in Saint Petersburg and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Parma-Pari: I.Reese 20+4reb+4ast, B.Johnson 18+7reb+2ast, C.Bryce 18+2reb+4ast, R.Solomon 16+7reb+2ast, A.Platunov 9+2ast, S.Ilnitskiy 3+1reb+2ast
UNICS: L.Labeyrie 19+4reb+2ast, E.Green 17+5reb+2ast, I.Bako 13+7reb+1ast, J.Reynolds 13+8reb+1ast, N.Dimitrijevic 12+1reb+8ast, V.Odinokov 5+1reb+1ast

MBA Moscow - N.Novgorod 77-70

There was no surprise when 6th ranked N.Novgorod (12-24) was defeated on the road by fourth ranked MBA Moscow (15-21) 77-70 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was forward Andrey Lopatin (206-1998, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) who scored 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Maxim Barashkov (201-1998) chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four MBA Moscow players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Andrey Vorontsevich (207-1987) who recorded 26 points and 5 rebounds and guard Dmitry Khvostov (190-1989) added 9 points and 5 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. MBA Moscow have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 15-21 record. Loser N.Novgorod keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Astana. MBA Moscow will meet league's second-placed Samara on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. N.Novgorod will play against the league's leader Uralmash (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
MBA Moscow: A.Lopatin 18+3reb, E.Voronov 13+1reb+1ast, D.Kasatkin 10+5reb+3ast, M.Barashkov 10+5reb+4ast, V.Trushkin 9+2reb+2ast, A.Khomenko 8+1reb+2ast
N.Novgorod: A.Vorontsevich 26+5reb+3ast, I.Strebkov 14+1ast, D.Khvostov 9+2reb+5ast, E.Baburin 9+2reb, C.Alexander 3+3reb, Z.Sergey 3+1reb

Avtodor - Astana 92-83

No shocking result in a game in Saratov where third ranked Russian Avtodor (17-19) won against 6th ranked Kazakhstan Astana (12-24) 92-83 on Sunday. Avtodor outrebounded Astana 37-25 including 25 on the defensive glass. Avtodor looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Rayshaun Hammonds (206-1998, college: Georgia) who scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. Croatian guard Dominik Mavra (195-1994) chipped in 16 points and 6 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Avtodor players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Markell Johnson (188-1998, college: NC State) who recorded a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 11 assists and the other American import Karvel Anderson (188-1991, college: RMU) added 30 points respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Avtodor maintains third place with 17-19 record having six points less than leader Uralmash. Astana lost fourth consecutive game. Defending Kazakhstan champion keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with N.Novgorod. Avtodor will meet Minsk (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Astana will play against Runa Basket and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Avtodor: R.Hammonds 21+9reb+2ast, D.Beslac 19+4reb+1ast, D.Mavra 16+4reb+6ast, M.Newman 13+4reb+5ast, S.Thornwell 7+6reb+1ast, V.Fridzon 5+3reb+4ast
Astana: M.Johnson 39+7reb+11ast, K.Anderson 30+3reb, M.Marchuk 4, J.Skipper-Brown 4+6reb, V.Chsherbak 3+1reb, R.Murzagaliyev 3+4reb+3ast

Uralmash - Minsk 85-79

Very expected game in Yekaterinburg where 8th ranked Belarusian Minsk (1-35) was defeated by first ranked Russian Uralmash (22-14) 85-79 on Sunday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Uralmash made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Garrett Nevels (188-1992, college: Hawaii, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 30 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Serbian forward Jovan Sljivancanin (196-1999, college: Carroll, MT) who recorded 27 points and 8 rebounds and center Vadzim Stubeda (206-2000, agency: Tolakh Tsimur) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Uralmash have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 22-14 record. Defending Belarusian champion Minsk keeps the eighth position with 35 games lost. Uralmash will meet N.Novgorod (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Minsk will play against Avtodor and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Uralmash: G.Nevels 30+5reb+6ast, J.Douglas 12+10reb+1ast, A.Glazunov 10+4reb+7ast, K.Mikheyev 10+6reb, N.Balashov 9+8reb+2ast, T.Nelson 7+6reb
Minsk: J.Sljivancanin 27+8reb+2ast, V.Stubeda 13+10reb+2ast, J.Cebasek 12+7reb+2ast, G.Motovilov 11+3reb+6ast, U.Mikulski 6+1reb, I.Aladko 6

CSKA - Zenit 91-92

Important game to mention about took place in Moscow. Third ranked Zenit (23-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best CSKA (25-9) 92-91 on Thursday evening. Zenit players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. CSKA was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. American power forward Vincent Hunter (203-1994, college: UTEP) nailed 24 points and 4 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Sergey Karasev (201-1993) accounted for 15 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Melo Trimble (190-1995, college: Maryland, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with 20 points and 5 assists (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!) and Guyanese-French Livio Jean-Charles (205-1993) added 17 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) respectively for CSKA in the defeat. Five CSKA players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Russian champion maintains third place with 23-10 record having just three points less than leader Uralmash. CSKA at the other side still keeps top position with nine games lost. They share it with UNICS. Zenit will play against league's leader UNICS in Kazan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. CSKA will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Zenit: V.Hunter 24+4reb+4ast, K.Kuric 17+2reb+1ast, S.Karasev 15+5reb, T.Heurtel 8+6ast, T.Frazier 8+2reb+6ast, G.Zhbanov 6+1ast
CSKA: M.Trimble 20+2reb+5ast, L.Jean-Charles 17+6reb, O.Hanlan 15+1reb+1ast, A.M'Baye 11+5reb+3ast, A.Astapkovich 10+2reb+3ast, N.Kurbanov 7+2reb+1ast

Runa Basket - Samara 67-81

Rather predictable result in Moscow where second ranked Samara (20-16) defeated 5th ranked Runa Basket (14-22) 81-67 on Monday. Samara made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Runa Basket turnovers. Samara looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward James Thompson IV (208-1995, college: EMU) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import Hayden Dalton (204-1996, college: Wyoming, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. Four Samara players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Juwan Morgan (203-1997, college: Indiana) who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds and American-Israeli center Alex Tyus (203-1988, college: Florida) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Samara maintains second place with 20-16 record having three points less than leader Uralmash. Loser Runa Basket keeps the fifth position with 22 games lost. Samara will meet at home MBA Moscow (#4) in the next round. Runa Basket will play against Astana in Nur-Sultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Samara: J.Thompson IV 15+10reb, J.Hawkins 13+1reb+1ast, A.Gudumak 11+2reb, R.Zagorac 11+1reb+3ast, H.Dalton 10+7reb, J.Roberson 9+3reb+3ast
Runa Basket: J.Morgan 18+7reb+1ast, N.Ivanovic 15+1reb, A.Tyus 11+5reb+2ast, C.Young 6+2reb+2ast, J.Hill 6+2reb+4ast, A.Sopin 5+2ast

CSKA - Lokomotiv 86-73

Not a big story in a game in Moscow where 4th placed Lokomotiv (22-11) was defeated by second ranked CSKA (25-9) 86-73 on Monday. CSKA made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Lokomotiv turnovers. The best player for the winners was American guard Melo Trimble (190-1995, college: Maryland, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Canadian guard Olivier Hanlan (193-1993, college: Boston Coll.) chipped in 16 points. At the other side the best for losing team was Trinidad and Tobago-American swingman Devaughn Akoon-Purcell (196-1993, college: Illinois St.) who recorded 17 points and 4 assists and Andrey Martyuk (211-2000) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. CSKA keeps a position of league leader, which they share with UNICS. Loser Lokomotiv keeps the fourth place with 11 games lost. CSKA's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Moscow .
Top scorers:
CSKA: M.Trimble 22+7reb+5ast, O.Hanlan 16+1ast, I.Ukhov 10+6reb, A.Astapkovich 9+2reb, L.Jean-Charles 9+3reb+1ast, A.M'Baye 8+2reb+3ast
Lokomotiv: D.Akoon-Purcell 17+3reb+4ast, M.Andrey 12+6reb+1ast, M.Ndour 10+3reb+1ast, J.Barford 8+3reb+2ast, O.White 7+7reb+1ast, P.Miller 7+1reb+1ast