NBB Round 25 (Regular Season): UniFacisa edge Minas by two points

The Regular Season in NBB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 5 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 25 in the NBB took place in Paraiba. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Minas (23-8) to sixth ranked UNIFACISA (20-12) 98-96 on Friday evening. Panamanian-American point guard Trevor Gaskins (188-1989, college: La Tech, agency: Pro Sports) fired 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international Andre Bresolin (195-1987) chipped in 21 points and 4 steals. Forward Alexandre Paranhos (204-1992) produced 18 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. UniFacisa maintains sixth place with 20-12 record. Minas at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. UniFacisa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play at home against Pinheiros and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sao Paulo. Second ranked Vivo/Franca faced 3rd placed Vasco da Gama. Host Vivo/Franca (25-5) smashed guests from Rio de Janeiro (22-8) 93-67. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Vasco da Gama. Worth to mention a great performance of international center Lucas Dias (208-1995) who helped to win the game recording 19 points. Marcio Santos contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Guard Caue Freitas (192-1988) answered with 16 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for Vasco da Gama. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sesi Franca keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Flamengo. Newly promoted Vasco da Gama dropped to the fourth place with eight games lost. Sesi Franca will play against U.Corinthians (#14) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Vasco da Gama will play at home against Paulistano (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Rio de Janeiro, where higher ranked Sao Paulo (15-15) lost to eighteenth ranked Botafogo (9-25) in a road game 79-83 on Monday. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Sao Paulo. Isaac Thornton stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) for the winners. At the losing side Ricardo Fischer responded with 24 points. Botafogo moved-up to fifteenth place. Loser Sao Paulo keeps the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Botafogo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sao Paulo will play against the league's leader Flamengo (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.

Other games of round 25 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Brasilia was defeated by Sao Jose in a road game 103-85. Mogi beat Cerrado at home 70-65. U.Corinthians lost to Sao Paulo on the opponent's court 60-71. Pinheiros unfortunately lost to Corinthians in a home game 77-90. Sao Jose recorded a loss to Minas on the road 56-73. Pato crushed Mogi on its own court 100-73. Cearense smashed Caxias do Sul in Fortaleza 91-69.
The best stats of 25th round was 20 points and 4 steals by Cassiano Bueno of Cearense.



Sao Jose - Brasilia 103-85

There was no surprise when 19th ranked Brasilia (4-26) was defeated on the road by ninth ranked Sao Jose (17-15) 103-85 on Friday. Sao Jose forced 20 Brasilia turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Brasilia's players. Forward Arthur Bernardi (205-1990, college: HCU) stepped up and scored 19 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the winners and point guard Augusto Leao (184-1998) chipped in 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Sao Jose's coach Sebastian Luis Figueredo used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Thomas Cooper (196-1992, college: Calgary) responded with 22 points and 9 assists and guard Paulo Da Costa (193-1994) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Four Sao Jose and five Brasilia players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Sao Jose went down to tenth position due to points difference. Brasilia lost eighth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 26 lost games. Sao Jose will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brasilia will play against Bauru (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brasilia: T.Cooper 22+4reb+9ast, P.Da Costa 16+6reb+3ast, A.Dalaqua 16+1reb+2ast, C.Alaekwe 15+5reb+3ast, D.Ramos 10+1ast, L.Emerson 6+2reb
Sao Jose: A.Leao 19+3reb+3ast, A.Bernardi 19+3reb+3ast, P.Chourio 18+5reb+2ast, L.Lema 11+3reb+4ast, V.Leal 10+1reb+1ast, D.Silva 9+4reb+3ast

UniFacisa - Minas 98-96

The most exciting game of round 25 in the NBB took place in Paraiba. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Minas (23-8) to sixth ranked UNIFACISA (20-12) 98-96 on Friday evening. Panamanian-American point guard Trevor Gaskins (188-1989, college: La Tech, agency: Pro Sports) fired 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international Andre Bresolin (195-1987) chipped in 21 points and 4 steals. Forward Alexandre Paranhos (204-1992) produced 18 points and 9 rebounds and Argentinian point guard Franco Baralle (185-1999) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. UniFacisa maintains sixth place with 20-12 record. Minas at the other side keeps the third position with eight games lost. UniFacisa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play at home against Pinheiros and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Minas: L.Gonzalez 21+4ast, R.Mineiro 19+5reb+1ast, A.Paranhos 18+9reb+2ast, F.Baralle 15+5reb+8ast, D.Fuzaro 8+1reb+4ast, G.Barbosa 6+3reb+1ast
UniFacisa: A.Bresolin 21+2reb+2ast, T.Gaskins 19+6reb+4ast, M.Solanas 16+3reb, F.Corvalan 13+2reb+3ast, A.Ferreira 9+2reb, D.Nesbitt 7+6reb

Mogi - Cerrado 70-65

There was a small surprise in Mogi das Cruzes where seventeenth ranked Mogi (8-24) defeated 15th ranked Cerrado (8-22) 70-65 on Friday. Naturalized American Shamell Stallworth (195-1980, college: USF) stepped up and scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winners and point guard Guilherme Lessa (178-1995) chipped in 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Mogi players scored in double figures. Mogi's coach Fernando Penna used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side center Andre Barbosa de Abreu (212-2002) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Guilherme Santos (189-1997) scored 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Mogi have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory Mogi went down to eighteenth position due to points difference. Cerrado lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixteenth place with 22 games lost. Mogi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cerrado will play against Bauru (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cerrado: B.de Abreu Andre 27+14reb+1ast, D.Rossetto 9+1reb+1ast, V.Haydin Daniel 8+8reb+1ast, G.Santos 8+6reb+5ast, S.Matheus 6+3reb+5ast, W.Maicon 4+1reb
Mogi: S.Stallworth 17+5reb+5ast, G.Lessa 13+6reb+5ast, L.Daniel 11+5reb, L.Paulo Dos Santos 11+3reb, V.Pastor 5+3reb+2ast, L.Lacerda 5+4reb+2ast

Sao Paulo - U.Corinthians 71-60

Rather expected game when 14th ranked U.Corinthians (10-21) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Sao Paulo (15-15) 71-60 on Friday. Sao Paulo made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (183-1991) stepped up and scored 19 points and 7 assists for the winners and center Ralfi Ansaloni (211-1987) chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds. At the losing side guard Pedro Nunes (197-2008) responded with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Argentinian guard Enzo Ruiz (194-1988) scored 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Sao Paulo have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain eleventh place with 15-15 record. U.Corinthians lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 21 games lost. Sao Paulo will meet league's leader Flamengo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. U.Corinthians will play against the league's second-placed Sesi Franca (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
U.Corinthians: P.Nunes 12+6reb+4ast, K.Stephens 11+2reb+1ast, M.Vinicius 9+3reb+2ast, D.Johnson 9+6reb+5ast, E.Ruiz 8+8reb+5ast, C.Arthur 6
Sao Paulo: R.Fischer 19+2reb+7ast, R.Ansaloni 15+11reb, C.Bennett 13+2reb, L.Siewert 7+6reb+2ast, B.Duarte 6+3reb+1ast, V.Faverani 6+2reb+1ast

Sesi Franca - Vasco da Gama 93-67

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sao Paulo. Second ranked Vivo/Franca faced 3rd placed Vasco da Gama. Host Vivo/Franca (25-5) smashed guests from Rio de Janeiro (22-8) 93-67. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Vasco da Gama. Sesi Franca players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Vasco da Gama's players. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of international center Lucas Dias (208-1995) who helped to win the game recording 19 points. The former international power forward Marcio Santos (204-2002) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. Guard Caue Freitas (192-1988) answered with 16 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and guard Matheus Eugeniusz (193-2000) added 16 points in the effort for Vasco da Gama. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sesi Franca keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Flamengo. Newly promoted Vasco da Gama dropped to the fourth place with eight games lost. Sesi Franca will play against U.Corinthians (#14) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Vasco da Gama will play at home against Paulistano (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Vasco da Gama: E.Matheus 16+3reb+1ast, C.Freitas 16+2reb+3ast, R.Paulichi 14+5reb, M.Vieira 8+1reb+2ast, C.Sergio 7+3reb+1ast, T.Mathias 4+5reb+3ast
Sesi Franca: L.Dias 19+4reb+1ast, S.Marcio 14+6reb+3ast, W.Ferreira 13+4reb+5ast, H.Guillent 11+1reb+3ast, C.Hinkle 9+1reb, S.Scala 9+6reb+3ast

Pinheiros - Corinthians 77-90

Rather predictable result in Sao Paulo where ninth ranked Corinthians (17-13) beat 12th ranked Pinheiros (13-17) 90-77 on Saturday. Corinthians looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international forward Leonardo Demetrio (203-1994) stepped up and scored 26 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners and American guard Elyjah Clark (190-1998, college: MSSU) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side point guard Adyel Borges (188-2002) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Serbian-Portuguese center Sasa Borovnjak (206-1989, college: Penn St., agency: 011 Sports) scored 22 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Corinthians have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place. Loser Pinheiros keeps the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Corinthians will meet Pato (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Pinheiros will play against Minas in Belo Horizonte and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: S.Borovnjak 22+5reb, B.Adyel 18+11reb+5ast, J.Oliveira 15+2reb+1ast, B.Yan 9+4reb, F.Ruivo 4+7ast, S.Agapy 3+3reb
Corinthians: L.Demetrio 26+6reb+2ast, E.Clark 20+7reb+3ast, C.Borges 16, O.Daniel 9+4reb, L.Caue 9+8reb+1ast, C.Gabriel 7+3reb+1ast

Minas - Sao Jose 73-56

Not a big story in a game in Belo Horizonte where 9th ranked Sao Jose (17-15) was defeated by third ranked Minas (23-8) 73-56 on Monday. The former international forward Rafael Mineiro (208-1988) stepped up and scored 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Argentinian guard Luciano Gonzalez (194-1990) chipped in 12 points. At the losing side Victor Leal (203-1996) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and Argentinian Leonardo Lema (204-1998) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Minas maintains third place with 23-8 record having just one point less than leader Flamengo. Loser Sao Jose dropped to the tenth position with 15 games lost. Minas will meet at home Pinheiros (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Jose will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sao Jose: V.Leal 16+11reb, P.Chourio 15+2reb+1ast, L.Lema 12+8reb+2ast, D.Figueredo 5+2reb+4ast, P.Pedro 4, D.Silva 4+2reb+3ast
Minas: R.Mineiro 15+7reb+1ast, L.Gonzalez 12+3reb+3ast, D.Fuzaro 9+2reb+3ast, A.Paranhos 8+2reb, F.Baralle 8+4reb+4ast, G.Barbosa 7+8reb+2ast

Pato - Mogi 100-73

Everything went according to plan in Pato Branco where thirteenth ranked Pato (13-18) outleveled 17th ranked Mogi (8-24) 100-73 on Monday. Pato dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Mogi's 32. Pato looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Michel De Souza (190-1997) stepped up and scored 14 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for the winners and American point guard Nate Barnes (182-1990, college: ABU) chipped in 20 points. At the losing side naturalized American Shamell Stallworth (195-1980, college: USF) responded with 22 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and Vinicius Pastor (199-1990) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Pato and five Mogi players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pato maintains thirteenth place with 13-18 record. Loser Mogi dropped to the eighteenth position with 24 games lost. Pato will meet at home higher ranked Corinthians (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mogi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Mogi: S.Stallworth 22+6reb+2ast, V.Pastor 14+5reb, G.Lessa 10+5reb+3ast, G.Felipe 10+3reb+2ast, S.Lukas 10+4reb+2ast, M.Luiz 4+1reb
Pato: N.Barnes 20+1reb+2ast, M.De Souza 14+4reb+5ast, J.Materan 13+4reb+2ast, N.Gabriel 12+7reb+1ast, E.Sommer 10+3reb+1ast, A.Pecos 9+2reb+8ast

Botafogo - Sao Paulo 83-79

We should mention about the upset which took place in Rio de Janeiro, where higher ranked Sao Paulo (15-15) lost to eighteenth ranked Botafogo (9-25) in a road game 79-83 on Monday. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Sao Paulo. Botafogo made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Sao Paulo turnovers. American guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) for the winners and point guard Matheusinho Brito (184-2000) chipped in 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side the former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (183-1991) responded with 24 points and American guard Malcolm Miller (201-1991, college: Southern) scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. Botafogo moved-up to fifteenth place. Loser Sao Paulo keeps the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Botafogo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sao Paulo will play against the league's leader Flamengo (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Sao Paulo: R.Fischer 24+2reb+2ast, M.Miller 21+5reb, C.Bennett 10+4reb+1ast, T.Curnell 9+4reb+4ast, B.Duarte 6, R.Ansaloni 4+6reb+4ast
Botafogo: I.Thornton 35+3reb+1ast, R.Santiago 19+2reb+1ast, M.Brito 17+9reb+5ast, E.Matias 5+4reb, R.Luan 5+4reb+1ast, B.Lucao 2+2reb+1ast

Caxias do Sul - Cearense 69-91

There was no surprise when 16th ranked Caxias do Sul (8-23) was crushed at home by tenth ranked Fortaleza (17-14) 91-69 on Monday. Cearense shot 61.0 percent from the field. Cearense had a 28-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. Point guard Cassiano Bueno (189-1997) stepped up and scored 20 points and 4 steals (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and American swingman Dexter McClanahan (193-1997, college: Nicholls St.) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). At the losing side center Wesley Sena (210-1996) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Leonardo Cravero (200-2002) scored 20 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cearense moved-up to ninth place. Caxias do Sul lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Cearense will meet U.Corinthians (#14) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Caxias do Sul will play against the league's second-placed Sesi Franca having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Caxias do Sul: C.Leonardo 20+8reb, W.Sena 19+11reb, C.Vinicius 6+4reb+1ast, A.Konsztadt 5+3reb+7ast, R.Oliveira 5+1reb, K.Dawkins 4+4ast
Cearense: C.Bueno 20+4reb+3ast, E.Ewing 18+3reb+1ast, D.McClanahan 12+8reb+3ast, E.Carvalho 10+2reb+1ast, F.Queiros 9+6reb, D.Nunes 8+3reb+2ast