NBB Round 31 (Regular Season): Minas lose to Bauru

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Minas (19-5) and eleventh ranked Paschoalotto/Bauru (14-12) was the most important one in the last round on Tuesday night. Minas was defeated by Paschoalotto/Bauru in Bauru 90-105. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Minas. Bauru looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Alex Garcia (191-1980, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 8 assists. Venezuelan swingman Jose Materan (198-1996) contributed with 23 points for the winners. The former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (185-1991) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 assists for Minas. Minas' coach Leonardo Costa rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bauru moved-up to tenth place. Minas at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. They share it with Sesi/Franca. Bauru will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play on the road against Sesi/Franca in Sao Paulo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
NBB top team - Pinheiros (21-4) added another victory to their record. This time they beat thirteenth ranked Caxias do Sul (10-15) 69-62. It was a great evening for point guard Felipe Borges (188-2003) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Afonso Pacheco helped adding 8 points and 9 rebounds. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side guard Augusto Leao (184-1998) responded with 19 points. Pinheiros have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 21-4 record. Caxias do Sul lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 15 games lost. Pinheiros will play against U.Corinthians (#12) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Caxias do Sul will play at home against Paulistano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Twentieth-ranked Vasco (4-22) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Sao Jose (17-9) in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only two-point victory 74-72. However their fans expected much easier game. It was an exceptional evening for Adyel Borges who led the winners and scored 16 points and 7 assists. Magna Silva came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds for Vasco in the defeat. Vasco's coach Leo Figueiro tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sao Jose have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain seventh place with 17-9 record. Loser Vasco stay dead last with 22 lost games. Sao Jose will meet league's second-placed Flamengo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vasco will have a break next round.

Other games in round 31 were not that significant. UniFacisa was beaten by Corinthians on the road 81-75. Mogi won against Cearense on its own court 88-76. Paulistano managed to outperform U.Corinthians in Sao Paulo 74-63. Mogi managed to beat UniFacisa at home 67-61.
The most impressive performance of 31th round was 11 points and 4 assists by Yohanner Sifontes of UniFacisa.



Corinthians - UniFacisa 81-75

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Corinthians (18-8) beat 11th ranked UNIFACISA (13-13) in Sao Paulo 81-75 on Monday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Corinthians looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Elio Corazza (195-1989, college: Miami Dade CC) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 assists. Power forward Victao Camilo (203-1997) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Five Corinthians players scored in double figures. American guard Melvin Johnson (193-1993, college: VCU) came up with 17 points and the other American import forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) added 10 points and 10 rebounds respectively for UniFacisa in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Corinthians have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 18-8 record. UniFacisa lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Corinthians: V.Camilo 16+6reb+3ast, T.Davaunta 14+5reb+1ast, M.Rafael 13+4reb+2ast, C.Elio 11+3reb+13ast, G.Novaes 11+9reb+1ast, C.Lucas 4+6reb
UniFacisa: M.Johnson 17+3reb+3ast, J.Oliveira 11+3reb+3ast, P.Carr 10+10reb+1ast, H.Coelho 7+2reb+5ast, L.Victor 7+4reb, A.Ferreira 7+1reb+2ast

Mogi - Cearense 88-76

Very expected game when 18th ranked Fortaleza (5-21) lost to tenth ranked Mogi (14-11) in Mogi das Cruzes 76-88 on Monday. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Charles Hinkle (198-1988, college: American) who led the winners and scored 27 points. The former international center Andre Dikembe (206-1999) accounted for 9 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Mogi's coach Fernando Penna used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Bernardo Da Silva (206-2000, college: Hawaii) came up with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Fernando Salsamendi (193-1996, college: Ave Maria) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Cearense in the defeat. Five Cearense players scored in double figures. Mogi moved-up to ninth place. Cearense lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighteenth position with 21 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Mogi: H.Charles 27+1reb+1ast, R.Mencarini 11, V.Chagas 9+1ast, D.Andre 9+8reb+1ast, J.Duane 9+3reb+1ast, C.Da 8+6reb+1ast
Cearense: B.Da Silva 16+6reb+3ast, O.Jean 14+2reb+5ast, R.Rafael 13+7reb+1ast, F.Salsamendi 12+12reb+1ast, F.Gabriel 10+1reb+2ast, A.Samuel 4+3reb

Bauru - Minas 105-90

The game between third ranked Minas (19-5) and eleventh ranked Paschoalotto/Bauru (14-12) was the most important one in the last round on Tuesday night. Minas was defeated by Paschoalotto/Bauru in Bauru 90-105. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Minas. Bauru looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Alex Garcia (191-1980, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 8 assists. Venezuelan swingman Jose Materan (198-1996) contributed with 23 points for the winners. The former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (185-1991) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 assists and the former international forward Winicius Braga (204-2005) added 14 points in the effort for Minas. Five Bauru and four Minas players scored in double figures. Minas' coach Leonardo Costa rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bauru moved-up to tenth place. Minas at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. They share it with Sesi/Franca. Bauru will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Minas will play on the road against Sesi/Franca in Sao Paulo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bauru: G.Alex 29+1reb+8ast, M.Jose 23+4reb+2ast, D.Brite 19+2reb+5ast, M.Eugeniusz 13+4reb+4ast, d.Barbosa 10+7reb+2ast, V.Lersch 6+2reb+3ast
Minas: R.Fischer 17+2reb+10ast, W.Braga 14+3reb+1ast, D.Fuzaro 12+1ast, P.Alexandre 10+4reb+1ast, E.McCree 9+3reb+2ast, N.Yuri 7+3reb+1ast

Caxias do Sul - Pinheiros 62-69

NBB top team - Pinheiros (21-4) added another victory to their record. This time they beat thirteenth ranked Caxias do Sul (10-15) 69-62. Pinheiros outrebounded Caxias do Sul 36-24 including 26 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for point guard Felipe Borges (188-2003) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Power forward Afonso Pacheco (205-2004) helped adding 8 points and 9 rebounds. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side guard Augusto Leao (184-1998) responded with 19 points and Paraguayan point guard Fabrizzio Ruiz (187-2002) scored 11 points and 5 assists. Four Caxias do Sul players scored in double figures. Pinheiros have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 21-4 record. Caxias do Sul lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 15 games lost. Pinheiros will play against U.Corinthians (#12) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Caxias do Sul will play at home against Paulistano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: F.Borges 15+7reb+8ast, S.David 12+2reb+3ast, N.Betinho 9+2reb+1ast, P.Pastre 9+2reb+1ast, P.Afonso 8+9reb+1ast, S.De 6+4reb+2ast
Caxias do Sul: L.Augusto 19+4reb+2ast, R.Fabrizzio 11+4reb+5ast, S.Stallworth 10+5reb+2ast, O.Tom 10+3reb+1ast, F.Vezaro 5+4reb, S.Miguel 5+2reb

U.Corinthians - Paulistano 63-74

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Paulistano (16-9) won against 12th ranked U.Corinthians (12-13) in Santa Cruz do Sul 74-63 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Guilherme Abreu (200-1999) who led the winners and scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) accounted for 19 points for the winning side. Colombian point guard Juan Cardenas (201-1997, college: Bryant) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) added 7 points and 11 rebounds respectively for U.Corinthians in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Paulistano have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain eighth place with 16-9 record. U.Corinthians lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 13 games lost. Paulistano will meet Caxias do Sul (#13) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. U.Corinthians will play against the league's leader Pinheiros having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Paulistano: K.Hunter 19+4reb, A.Guilherme 15+9reb+1ast, D.Leonardo 11+4reb+1ast, S.Lucas 9+5reb+2ast, V.Silva 7+1reb+5ast, E.Seixas 6
U.Corinthians: J.Cardenas 17+10reb, N.Barnes 13+2ast, J.Hollowell 11+6reb+3ast, I.Goncalves 10+3reb, D.Scott 7+11reb+2ast, V.Fabricio 5+6reb+3ast

Vasco - Sao Jose 72-74

Twentieth-ranked Vasco (4-22) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Sao Jose (17-9) in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only two-point victory 74-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Sao Jose made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Vasco turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for the former international guard Adyel Borges (190-2002) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 7 assists. Leonardo Cravero (201-2002) accounted for 10 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Naturalized Italian forward Magna Silva (202-1998) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds and center Thiago Mathias (208-1989, college: N.Mexico JC) added 15 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) respectively for Vasco in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Vasco's coach Leo Figueiro tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sao Jose have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain seventh place with 17-9 record. Loser Vasco stay dead last with 22 lost games. Sao Jose will meet league's second-placed Flamengo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vasco will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sao Jose: B.Adyel 16+1reb+7ast, M.Malcolm 13+4reb+1ast, T.Maique 10+4reb, L.Cravero 10+9reb+2ast, L.Guilherme 9+3reb+4ast, A.Rodrigues 9+2reb
Vasco: M.Silva 15+5reb+3ast, T.Mathias 15+6reb, L.Bearden 12+1reb+2ast, V.Alexsander 10+4reb+5ast, L.Basilio 8+4reb+3ast, S.Conceicao 6+6reb+1ast

Mogi - UniFacisa 67-61

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 11th ranked UNIFACISA's (13-13) road loss to tenth ranked Mogi (14-11) in Mogi das Cruzes 61-67 on Wednesday. Mogi forced 19 UniFacisa turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for guard Raffael Mencarini (187-2001) who led the winners and scored 20 points. point guard Gabriel Campos (181-2001) accounted for 14 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Center Joao Almeida (200-2004) came up with 9 points and 10 rebounds and Venezuelan guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) added 11 points and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for UniFacisa in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mogi moved-up to ninth place. UniFacisa lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Mogi: R.Mencarini 20+3reb+1ast, C.Gabriel 14+2reb+5ast, J.Duane 8+4reb+1ast, W.Maicon 7+7reb, C.Da 6+7reb+1ast, R.Felipe 5+4reb+4ast
UniFacisa: M.Johnson 13+3reb, Y.Sifontes 11+2reb+4ast, A.Joao 9+10reb, G.Santo 7+3reb+2ast, K.Anthony 6+1reb+2ast, H.Coelho 6+1reb+3ast