NBB Round 20 (Regular Season): Sesi Franca defeat Minas in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 20 in the NBB took place in Sao Paulo. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Minas (21-5) to second ranked Vivo/Franca (22-4) 95-94 in the game for the second place. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 31-25. But Minas won second period 23-22. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Vivo/Franca shot the lights out from three sinking 21 long-distance shots on high 61.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Minas' players. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian guard Santiago Scala (187-1991) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 8 assists (perfect from downtown making all seven shots !!!) and international center Lucas Silva (208-1995) who added 22 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Vivo/Franca's coach Helinho Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Argentinian point guard Franco Baralle (185-1999) responded with 23 points. Sesi Franca have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 22-4 record behind leader Flamengo. Minas at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Sesi Franca will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play on the road against Bauru and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
NBB top team - Flamengo (23-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed nineteenth ranked Mogi (4-22) in Rio de Janeiro 77-49. The winners were led by the former international forward Olivinha Rodriguez (202-1983) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and Devon Scott supported him with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Flamengo's coach Gustavo Conti felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 7 points and 6 rebounds by center Gustavo Luiz (198-2002) did not help to save the game for Mogi. Flamengo have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 23-4 record. Mogi at the other side stay dead last with 22 lost games. They share the position with Brasilia. Flamengo will play against Sao Jose (#8) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mogi will play against Botafogo (#17) in Rio de Janeiro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Seventeenth-ranked Botafogo (6-22) gave a tough game to eighth ranked Sao Jose (15-11) in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was Diego Figueredo who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Isaac Thornton produced 23 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sao Jose have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 15-11 record. Botafogo lost tenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth place with 22 games lost. Sao Jose will meet higher ranked Vasco da Gama (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Botafogo will play against Mogi (#19) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 20: UniFacisa lost to U.Corinthians on the opponent's court 92-98. Sao Paulo managed to outperform Pinheiros in a home game 79-74. Cerrado rolled over Brasilia on the road 95-73. Caxias do Sul was defeated by UniFacisa on its own court 70-77.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points and 9 rebounds by Diego Conceicao of Caxias do Sul.



U.Corinthians - UniFacisa 98-92

There was an upset in Santa Cruz do Sul where higher ranked UNIFACISA (17-11) was defeated by fourteenth ranked U.Corinthians (10-17) 98-92 on Wednesday. U.Corinthians dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to UNIFACISA's 36. U.Corinthians looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Duane Johnson (201-1991, college: ESU) who scored 29 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Pedro Nunes (197-2008) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Argentinian-Italian point guard Facundo Corvalan (190-1998) produced 14 points and 5 assists and Bahamas David Nesbitt (203-1991, college: St.Thomas, FL) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. U.Corinthians maintains fourteenth position with 10-17 record. Loser UNIFACISA dropped to the fifth place with 11 games lost. U.Corinthians will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UniFacisa will play against Pato (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
UniFacisa: F.Corvalan 14+4reb+5ast, T.Gaskins 14+1reb+1ast, D.Nesbitt 12+6reb+1ast, R.Rafael 11+6reb, A.Bresolin 11+3reb+4ast, G.Hubner 10+4reb
U.Corinthians: D.Johnson 29+9reb+7ast, R.Djokovic 19+1reb+1ast, P.Nunes 17+10reb+5ast, M.Vinicius 14+2reb+1ast, E.Ruiz 13+4reb+3ast, C.Jamison 4+5reb+3ast

Botafogo - Sao Jose 90-93

Seventeenth-ranked Botafogo (6-22) gave a tough game to eighth ranked Sao Jose (15-11) in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected much easier game. Sao Jose made 29-of-35 free shots (82.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Argentinian point guard Diego Figueredo (185-1991, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Victor Leal (203-1996) chipped in 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Sao Jose players scored in double figures. American guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Jamaal Smith (176-1985, college: N.Mexico) added 21 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sao Jose have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain eighth position with 15-11 record. Botafogo lost tenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth place with 22 games lost. Sao Jose will meet higher ranked Vasco da Gama (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Botafogo will play against Mogi (#19) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Botafogo: I.Thornton 23+6reb+3ast, J.Smith 21+4reb+5ast, M.Brito 14+1reb+4ast, A.Augusto 9+6reb, E.Matias 8+6reb, P.Vieira 6+2reb+2ast
Sao Jose: D.Figueredo 20+7reb+11ast, V.Leal 15+7reb+5ast, D.Silva 13+4reb+2ast, L.Lema 13+5reb, P.Chourio 10+5reb+6ast, A.Bernardi 10+1reb

Flamengo - Mogi 77-49

NBB top team - Flamengo (23-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed nineteenth ranked Mogi (4-22) in Rio de Janeiro 77-49. The game was mostly controlled by Flamengo. Mogi was better in fourth quarter 19-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Flamengo dominated on the defensive end, holding Mogi to just 5 points in first quarter. They made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. The winners were led by the former international forward Olivinha Rodriguez (202-1983) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and American power forward Devon Scott (206-1994, college: Dayton) supported him with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Flamengo players scored in double figures. Flamengo's coach Gustavo Conti felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 7 points and 6 rebounds by center Gustavo Luiz (198-2002) did not help to save the game for Mogi. Point guard Guilherme Lessa (178-1995) added 6 points and 4 assists for the guests. Flamengo have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 23-4 record. Mogi at the other side stay dead last with 22 lost games. They share the position with Brasilia. Flamengo will play against Sao Jose (#8) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mogi will play against Botafogo (#17) in Rio de Janeiro and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mogi: M.Luiz 9+2reb+1ast, L.Gustavo 7+6reb+3ast, G.Lessa 6+3reb+4ast, M.Iago 6+1reb, R.Victor 5+3reb+1ast, S.Lukas 5+2reb+2ast
Flamengo: O.Rodriguez 13+11reb+2ast, G.Pereira 12+2reb+1ast, D.Scott 12+8reb+2ast, G.Galvanini 11+7reb+3ast, S.Machado 8+1reb, M.Cuello 8+1reb+2ast

Sesi Franca - Minas 95-94

The most exciting game of round 20 in the NBB took place in Sao Paulo. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Minas (21-5) to second ranked Vivo/Franca (22-4) 95-94 in the game for the second place. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 31-25. But Minas won second period 23-22. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Vivo/Franca shot the lights out from three sinking 21 long-distance shots on high 61.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Minas' players. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian guard Santiago Scala (187-1991) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 8 assists (perfect from downtown making all seven shots !!!) and international center Lucas Silva (208-1995) who added 22 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Vivo/Franca's coach Helinho Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Argentinian point guard Franco Baralle (185-1999) responded with 23 points and the former international forward Rafael Mineiro (208-1988) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Five Vivo/Franca and four Minas players scored in double figures. Sesi Franca have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 22-4 record behind leader Flamengo. Minas at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. Sesi Franca will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play on the road against Bauru and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Minas: F.Baralle 23+3reb+1ast, L.Gonzalez 20+1reb+2ast, R.Mineiro 12+13reb+1ast, C.Cortes 12+1reb, G.Barbosa 9+2reb+1ast, A.Paranhos 8+6reb+1ast
Sesi Franca: S.Scala 27+4reb+8ast, L.Dias 22+8reb+3ast, C.Hinkle 12+3reb+2ast, S.Marcio 11+6reb+1ast, H.Guillent 10+4reb+6ast, J.dos Santos 6+3reb

Sao Paulo - Pinheiros 79-74

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked Sao Paulo's (13-14) home victory over 12th ranked Pinheiros (11-15) 79-74 on Thursday. The hosts trailed by 4 points after three quarters before their 22-13 charge, which allowed them to win the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Vitor Faverani (213-1988) who scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Malcolm Miller (201-1991, college: Southern) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Sao Paulo players scored in double figures. Naturalized Guinea-Bissau forward Yan Barbosa (204-2001) produced 19 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Serbian-Portuguese center Sasa Borovnjak (206-1989, college: Penn St., agency: 011 Sports) added 20 points respectively for the guests. Pinheiros' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sao Paulo moved-up to tenth place. Pinheiros lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 15 games lost. Sao Paulo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pinheiros will play against Caxias do Sul (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: S.Borovnjak 20+3reb+1ast, B.Yan 19+5reb+2ast, F.Aguerre 11+5reb+3ast, F.Tiago 6+1ast, S.Paulo 4+1reb, B.Adyel 3+2reb+2ast
Sao Paulo: V.Faverani 19+5reb, C.Bennett 14+3reb+3ast, B.Duarte 13+5reb+3ast, M.Miller 12+5reb+5ast, R.Fischer 6+3reb+6ast, R.Ansaloni 6+5reb+2ast

Brasilia - Cerrado 73-95

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Brasilia (4-22) was rolled over at home by sixteenth ranked Cerrado (8-18) 95-73 on Friday. Cerrado outrebounded Brasilia 48-29 including a 35-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Daviyon Draper (201-1994, college: FIU) who scored 22 points and 5 assists. Center Andre Barbosa de Abreu (212-2002) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Four Cerrado players scored in double figures. Coach Regis Marrelli's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Christian Alaekwe (193, college: St.Thomas, TX) produced 21 points and 4 assists and guard Paulo Da Costa (193-1994) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Cerrado moved-up to fifteenth place. Brasilia lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighteenth position with 22 games lost. They share it with Mogi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Brasilia: C.Alaekwe 21+3reb+4ast, P.Da Costa 14+3reb+1ast, A.Dalaqua 13+1reb+3ast, L.Emerson 8+2reb, A.Allan 6+4reb+2ast, T.Cooper 4+2reb+3ast
Cerrado: D.Draper 22+4reb+5ast, G.Santos 20+8reb+2ast, B.de Abreu Andre 17+11reb+2ast, D.Rossetto 10+4reb+3ast, W.Maicon 8+6reb+1ast, S.Matheus 8+2reb+1ast

Caxias do Sul - UniFacisa 70-77

Everything went according to plan when sixth ranked UNIFACISA (17-11) beat on the road 15th ranked Caxias do Sul (8-19) 77-70 on Friday. UniFacisa made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Guilherme Hubner (209-1987) who scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Argentinian-Italian point guard Facundo Corvalan (190-1998) chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. Four UNIFACISA players scored in double figures. Forward Diego Conceicao (199-1987) produced 23 points and 9 rebounds and Rafa Oliveira (199-1993) added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. UniFacisa moved-up to fifth place. Caxias do Sul lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixteenth position with 19 games lost. UniFacisa will meet at home Pato (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Caxias do Sul will play against Pinheiros in Sao Paulo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caxias do Sul: D.Conceicao 23+9reb+1ast, K.Dawkins 13+2reb+5ast, R.Oliveira 8+8reb+4ast, A.Konsztadt 7+1reb+4ast, C.Vinicius 7+3reb, S.Gabriel 6+1reb+3ast
UniFacisa: G.Hubner 17+8reb, F.Corvalan 15+4reb+5ast, A.Ferreira 11+8reb+2ast, M.Solanas 11+4reb+1ast, T.Gaskins 7+4reb+3ast, V.Lersch 6+3ast