NBB Round 18 (Regular Season): Last-ranked Vasco beat Caxias do Sul

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 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Vasco managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Thursday night. This time they edged thirteenth-ranked Caxias do Sul in Rio de Janeiro 80-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caxias do Sul. Vasco dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Caxias do Sul's 30. The best player for the winners was who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Guard Luiz Basilio (192-1991) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Augusto Leao who recorded 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Caxias do Sul's coach Rodrigo Barbosa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Vasco maintains twentieth position with 2-14 record. Caxias do Sul at the other side dropped to the twelfth place with eight games lost. They share the position with U.Corinthians. Vasco are looking forward to face league's second-placed Minas in Belo Horizonte in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Caxias do Sul will play at home against UniFacisa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Pinheiros delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 14th ranked Fortaleza (4-11) 108-61. It was a good game for who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Caua De Souza contributed with 24 points and 5 assists for the winners. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Serbian forward Aleksa Popovic (206-1999, college: McKendree) replied with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Cearense. Pinheiros (13-2) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position, which they share with Flamengo and Minas. Cearense at the other side dropped to the fifteenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Cruzeiro. Pinheiros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Sao Paulo Corinthians.
Seventeenth-ranked Osasco (4-14) made lots of trouble for sixth ranked Corinthians (11-4) on Wednesday. The visitors from Sao Paulo managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Rafael Munford had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Hatila Passos with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 16 rebounds. Corinthians have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 11-4 record. Osasco lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighteenth place with 14 games lost. Corinthians' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Sao Paulo to the arena Pinheiros.

Rest of the games of round 18 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
U.Corinthians was defeated by Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro 82-65. Minas beat Botafogo at home 95-88. Sesi/Franca destroyed Pato on the opponent's court 93-71. UniFacisa managed to outperform Paulistano in a home game 82-70.
The best stats of 18th round was 17 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists by Alexsander Vernizz of Vasco.



Osasco - Corinthians 80-81

Seventeenth-ranked Osasco (4-14) made lots of trouble for sixth ranked Corinthians (11-4) on Wednesday. The visitors from Sao Paulo managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Corinthians looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The former international forward Rafael Munford (195-1998, college: Augusta) had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Victao Camilo chipped in 22 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international center Hatila Passos (211-1985, college: NM State) with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 16 rebounds and Alejandro Grant scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Corinthians and five Osasco players scored in double figures. Corinthians have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 11-4 record. Osasco lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighteenth place with 14 games lost. Corinthians' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Sao Paulo to the arena Pinheiros.
Top scorers:
Corinthians: V.Camilo 22+3reb+1ast, M.Rafael 21+10reb+1ast, T.Davaunta 19+3reb+3ast, C.Lucas 10+8reb+2ast, C.Elio 3+5reb+11ast, G.Novaes 3+4reb+4ast
Osasco: G.Alejandro 18+5reb+1ast, V.Malachias 15+2reb, O.Matheus 12+3reb+4ast, H.Passos 10+16reb+3ast, H.Anthony 10+1reb+4ast, A.Dalaqua 6+1reb+1ast

Flamengo - U.Corinthians 82-65

There was no surprise in Rio de Janeiro where 11th ranked U.Corinthians (7-8) was defeated by third ranked Flamengo (13-2) 82-65 on Thursday. Flamengo forced 22 U.Corinthians turnovers. American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) scored 18 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Alex Negrete chipped in 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St., agency: BIG) with 26 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Flamengo keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Minas and Pinheiros. Loser U.Corinthians dropped to the twelfth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Caxias do Sul. Flamengo will meet Cruzeiro (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. U.Corinthians will play against Cearense (#15) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: J.Shaquille 18+2reb+6ast, D.Guilherme 17+1reb, A.Negrete 11+9reb+4ast, C.Markeith 8+7reb+3ast, F.Wesley 8+6reb+1ast, B.Franco 6+2reb+2ast
U.Corinthians: J.Hollowell 26+8reb+1ast, D.Scott 17+7reb+2ast, V.Fabricio 9+3reb+1ast, N.Barnes 7+3reb, D.Rossetto 2+4reb+2ast, R.Hettsheimeir 2+1reb

Minas - Botafogo 95-88

No shocking result in a game in Belo Horizonte where second ranked Minas (13-2) defeated 19th ranked Botafogo (3-14) 95-88 on Thursday. Minas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Winicius Braga scored 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) chipped in 18 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and scored 22 points and 9 assists. Four Minas and five Botafogo players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Minas have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Flamengo and Pinheiros. Botafogo lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the nineteenth place with 14 games lost. Minas will meet at home bottom-ranked Vasco (#20) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Botafogo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Minas: W.Braga 19+7reb+5ast, W.Jordan 18+2reb+1ast, M.Erik 13+3reb+3ast, Y.Neptune 12+4reb+2ast, F.Danilo 9+5reb+4ast, R.Lucas 8+1reb+4ast
Botafogo: B.Matheusinho 22+3reb+9ast, S.Paulo 20+13reb+1ast, A.Lucas 15+1reb+3ast, M.Leandro 13+3reb, M.Emanuel 10+5reb+3ast, N.Felipe 3+1ast

Cearense - Pinheiros 61-108

Leader Pinheiros delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 14th ranked Fortaleza (4-11) 108-61. Pinheiros outrebounded Cearense 49-31 including 35 on the defensive glass. Pinheiros players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a good game for Yan Djalo Barbosa who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Caua De Souza contributed with 24 points and 5 assists for the winners. Four Pinheiros players scored in double figures. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Serbian forward Aleksa Popovic (206-1999, college: McKendree) replied with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American point guard Michael Dupree (185-1995, college: Northwest) added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Cearense. Pinheiros (13-2) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position, which they share with Flamengo and Minas. Cearense at the other side dropped to the fifteenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Cruzeiro. Pinheiros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Sao Paulo Corinthians.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: S.De 24+1reb+5ast, Y.Barbosa 22+9reb+1ast, N.Betinho 18+3reb+3ast, S.David 13+2reb+10ast, P.CJ 9+3reb+2ast, S.Agapy 8+9reb+2ast
Cearense: A.Popovic 20+6reb+4ast, F.Gabriel 13+2reb+2ast, M.Dupree 9+5reb+5ast, O.Jean 7+6reb+4ast, C.Augusto 7+3reb+4ast, A.Samuel 5+7reb+1ast

Pato - Sesi/Franca 71-93

Very expected game in Pato Branco where 16th ranked Pato (5-12) was rolled over by fourth ranked Vivo/Franca (13-3) 93-71 on Thursday. Sesi/Franca dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Pato's 32. They outrebounded Pato 37-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Sesi/Franca looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Pato's players. International center Lucas Dias (207-1995) scored 20 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard David Jackson (192-1982, college: Penn State) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. Four Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was with 13 points and American guard Tradavis Thompson (188-2000, college: Lyn, agency: Starting 5) scored 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vivo/Franca have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Sesi/Franca maintains fourth position with 13-3 record. Loser Pato dropped to the fourteenth place with 12 games lost. Sesi/Franca will meet at home Bauru (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Pato will play against Osasco and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: D.Lucas 20+3reb+5ast, B.Paulo 14+6reb+2ast, J.David 14+5reb+7ast, d.Georginho 13+2reb+4ast, J.Laterza 6+1reb+2ast, L.Rodriguez 6+5reb
Pato: P.Danilo 13+3reb+1ast, T.Thompson 13+1reb+3ast, N.Lucas 13, R.Horton 8+3reb, D.Souza Michel 6+3reb, C.Crews 6+1reb+1ast

UniFacisa - Paulistano 82-70

There was a small surprise in Paraiba where twelfth ranked UNIFACISA (8-7) beat 9th ranked Paulistano (9-8) 82-70 on Thursday. UniFacisa looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The former international point guard Henrique Coelho (184-1993) scored 20 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international Antonio Ferreira (200-1994) chipped in 22 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was international center Lucas Dias (207-1995) with 16 points and 5 rebounds and Venezuelan point guard Edson Tovar (180-2004) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Four Paulistano players scored in double figures. Paulistano's coach Demetrius Ferraciu tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. UniFacisa moved-up to tenth place. Loser Paulistano keeps the ninth position with eight games lost. UniFacisa will meet Caxias do Sul (#13) on the road in the next round. Paulistano will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
UniFacisa: F.Antonio 22+3reb+1ast, C.Henrique 20+3reb+3ast, J.Melvin 18+2reb+4ast, O.Jimmy 7+7reb+5ast, C.Phil 6, J.Almeida 5+9reb
Paulistano: H.Kaleb 16+5reb+2ast, L.Siewert 15+5reb, S.Vitor 14+3reb+2ast, E.Tovar 12+7reb+3ast, G.Abreu 5+8reb+3ast, M.Gabriel 4+6reb+1ast

Vasco - Caxias do Sul 80-79

Bottom-ranked Vasco managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Thursday night. This time they edged thirteenth-ranked Caxias do Sul in Rio de Janeiro 80-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caxias do Sul. Vasco dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Caxias do Sul's 30. The best player for the winners was Alexsander Vernizz who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Guard Luiz Basilio (192-1991) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Vasco players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Augusto Leao who recorded 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American swingman Shamell Stallworth (195-1980, college: USF) added 15 points respectively. Caxias do Sul's coach Rodrigo Barbosa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Vasco maintains twentieth position with 2-14 record. Caxias do Sul at the other side dropped to the twelfth place with eight games lost. They share the position with U.Corinthians. Vasco are looking forward to face league's second-placed Minas in Belo Horizonte in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Caxias do Sul will play at home against UniFacisa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vasco: C.Sergio 17+5reb, A.Vernizz 17+7reb+10ast, B.Luiz 17+5reb+6ast, M.Thiago 15+4reb, E.Oliveira 9+5reb+4ast, N.Pedro 3+5reb
Caxias do Sul: L.Augusto 16+5reb+5ast, S.Stallworth 15+4reb+3ast, O.William 13+4reb, R.Fabrizzio 11+1reb+2ast, H.Silva 9+4reb+4ast, O.Rafa 6+1reb