NBB Round 48 (Regular Season): Sesi/Franca beat Brasilia in the most crucial game of the week

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in NBB. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Brasilia. First ranked Vivo/Franca faced 4th ranked Brasilia. Guests from Sao Paulo (32-6) defeated host Brasilia (27-10) 83-78. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Brasilia. Sesi/Franca made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Cristiano Felicio (210-1992, college: Oregon) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Argentinian point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Rafael Paulichi (202-1998) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Vivo/Franca have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Sesi/Franca maintains first position with 32-6 record. Brasilia at the other side dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. Sesi/Franca will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brasilia will play at home against Bauru (#9) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Thirteenth-ranked Caxias do Sul (17-20) made lots of trouble for ninth ranked Sao Jose (22-15). The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only three-point victory 68-65. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Caxias do Sul. It was a good game for guard Caue De Freitas (192-1988) who led his team to a victory with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Malcolm Miller contributed with 9 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Paraguayan point guard Fabrizzio Ruiz (187-2002) replied with 18 points and 6 rebounds for Caxias do Sul. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sao Jose moved-up to eighth place. Caxias do Sul at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 20 games lost. Sao Jose will play against U.Corinthians (#12) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round. Caxias do Sul will play at home against Corinthians and hopes to get back on the winning track.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Mogi das Cruzes, where 7th ranked Paulistano (22-14) lost to tenth ranked Mogi (21-16) in a road game 70-84 on Wednesday. Worth to mention a great performance of Andre Dikembe who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was Lucas Siewert with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mogi maintains tenth position with 21-16 record. Loser Paulistano keeps the seventh place with 14 games lost. Mogi will meet at home Osasco (#19) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Paulistano will play against Pato (#17) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 48 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Cearense was crushed by Minas in Belo Horizonte 87-56. Cruzeiro was beaten by UniFacisa at home 91-101. Bottom-ranked Vasco was destroyed by Flamengo on the opponent's court 95-75. U.Corinthians unfortunately lost to Corinthians in a home game 86-92.



Minas - Cearense 87-56

There was no surprise in Belo Horizonte where 17th ranked Fortaleza (7-30) was crushed by third ranked Minas (29-9) 87-56 on Tuesday. Minas outrebounded Cearense 45-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. Minas looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Erik McCree (202-1993, college: La Tech) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 6 rebounds and Argentinian guard Juan Arengo (185-1996) who added 15 points and 4 assists during the contest. Minas' coach Leonardo Costa felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Rafael Rodrigues (214-2001) with 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and forward Bernardo Da Silva (206-2000, college: Hawaii) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Minas maintains third position with 29-9 record having just three points less than leader Sesi/Franca. Loser Fortaleza dropped to the eighteenth place with 30 games lost. Minas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cearense will play against Cruzeiro (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Minas: J.Arengo 15+2reb+4ast, M.Erik 15+6reb, R.Rachel 12+4reb+2ast, F.Fernandes 9+7reb+2ast, F.Ricardo 7+2reb+7ast, W.Jordan 6+3reb
Cearense: R.Rafael 16+8reb, F.Gabriel 12+4reb+2ast, B.Da Silva 12+7reb+2ast, C.Augusto 5+5reb+5ast, A.Samuel 5+6reb+1ast, S.Wilton 3+1reb+1ast

Cruzeiro - UniFacisa 91-101

No shocking result in a game when eleventh ranked UNIFACISA (20-18) defeated on the road 14th ranked Cruzeiro (12-25) 101-91 on Tuesday. UniFacisa outrebounded Cruzeiro 37-21 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. UniFacisa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Venezuelan guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and Victor Leal (202-1996) who added 12 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Tulio Da Silva (203-1996, college: Missouri St.) with 17 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Yosani Clay (193-2000, college: WOU) scored 21 points and 4 assists. Five UniFacisa and four Cruzeiro players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. UniFacisa maintains eleventh position with 20-18 record. Loser Cruzeiro keeps the fourteenth place with 25 games lost. UniFacisa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cruzeiro will play against Cearense (#18) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
UniFacisa: S.Yohanner 18+9reb+8ast, S.Gerson 13+2reb+1ast, C.Henrique 13+3reb+5ast, A.Kendall 13+4ast, V.Leal 12+9reb+3ast, F.Antonio 12+1reb
Cruzeiro: C.Yosani 21+2reb+4ast, T.Da Silva 17+8reb+3ast, R.Ansaloni 16+3reb+2ast, I.Thornton 15+1reb+3ast, B.Cassiano 6+1reb+5ast, W.Sena 6

Brasilia - Sesi/Franca 78-83

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Brasilia. First ranked Vivo/Franca faced 4th ranked Brasilia. Guests from Sao Paulo (32-6) defeated host Brasilia (27-10) 83-78. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Brasilia. Sesi/Franca made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Cristiano Felicio (210-1992, college: Oregon) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Argentinian point guard Juan Laterza (180-1997) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Rafael Paulichi (202-1998) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and Argentinian-Italian point guard Facundo Corvalan (190-1998) added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Vivo/Franca have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Sesi/Franca maintains first position with 32-6 record. Brasilia at the other side dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. Sesi/Franca will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brasilia will play at home against Bauru (#9) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: F.Cristiano 15+12reb+1ast, C.Bennett 14+3reb+1ast, R.Mineiro 12+5reb+2ast, J.Laterza 11+5reb+6ast, D.Lucas 9+3reb+2ast, L.Rodriguez 8+3reb
Brasilia: P.Rafael 17+11reb+6ast, F.Corvalan 17+6reb+7ast, B.Cardoso 17+8reb, V.Haydin Daniel 16+8reb+3ast, S.Matheus 9+4reb+2ast, P.Mendonca 2+3reb

Flamengo - Vasco 95-75

Very expected game in Rio de Janeiro where 20th ranked Vasco (5-32) was rolled over by fifth ranked Flamengo (28-10) 95-75 on Tuesday. Flamengo outrebounded Vasco 41-28 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Flamengo looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Guilherme Deodato (192-1991) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international Wesley Ferreira (201-1995) who added 20 points (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Lamar Morgan (198-1997, college: Coppin St., agency: Helping Ballers) with 15 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized Italian forward Magna Silva (202-1998) scored 17 points. Four Vasco players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Flamengo have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Vasco lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 32 lost games. Flamengo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Vasco's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Rio de Janeiro Botafogo.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: F.Wesley 20+1reb, D.Guilherme 15+6reb+5ast, M.Kayo 12+3reb+2ast, S.dos 11+6reb+1ast, J.Shaquille 10+1reb+1ast, B.Franco 8+7reb+5ast
Vasco: M.Silva 17+3reb+1ast, L.Morgan 15+6reb+2ast, T.Mathias 11+9reb, V.Alexsander 10+2reb+6ast, L.Basilio 6+1reb+7ast, S.Conceicao 5+3reb+1ast

U.Corinthians - Corinthians 86-92

Very predictable result in Santa Cruz do Sul where sixth ranked Corinthians (26-11) beat 12th ranked U.Corinthians (18-19) 92-86 on Wednesday. Strangely U.Corinthians outrebounded Corinthians 46-33 including 17 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Elyjah Clark (191-1998, college: MSSU) who helped to win the game recording 28 points and 4 assists and power forward Victao Camilo (203-1997) who added 18 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Four Corinthians players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St., agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Fabricio Verissimo (192-1998) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Corinthians maintains sixth position with 26-11 record. U.Corinthians lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 19 games lost. Corinthians will meet Caxias do Sul (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. U.Corinthians will play against Sao Jose and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Corinthians: C.Elyjah 28+3reb+4ast, V.Camilo 18+13reb+1ast, M.Rafael 12+8reb+3ast, C.Lucas 12+1reb, C.Borges 7+2ast, C.Elio 7+2reb+11ast
U.Corinthians: J.Hollowell 21+13reb+4ast, V.Fabricio 21+6reb+5ast, N.Barnes 19+6reb+4ast, J.Cardenas 6+10reb+2ast, D.Scott 6+6reb+2ast, A.Bresolin 6+4reb

Caxias do Sul - Sao Jose 65-68

Thirteenth-ranked Caxias do Sul (17-20) made lots of trouble for ninth ranked Sao Jose (22-15). The visitors from Sao Jose managed to secure only three-point victory 68-65. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Caxias do Sul. Sao Jose made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Caxias do Sul was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for guard Caue De Freitas (192-1988) who led his team to a victory with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Malcolm Miller (201-1991, college: Southern) contributed with 9 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Paraguayan point guard Fabrizzio Ruiz (187-2002) replied with 18 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Humberto Silva (196-1995) added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Caxias do Sul. Four Caxias do Sul players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sao Jose moved-up to eighth place. Caxias do Sul at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 20 games lost. Sao Jose will play against U.Corinthians (#12) in Santa Cruz do Sul in the next round. Caxias do Sul will play at home against Corinthians and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sao Jose: L.Cravero 10+6reb, L.Guilherme 10+1reb+3ast, T.Maique 10+4reb, M.Malcolm 9+5reb+2ast, D.Caue 8+7reb+4ast, S.Douglas 7+6reb+2ast
Caxias do Sul: R.Fabrizzio 18+6reb+3ast, S.Stallworth 14+4reb+4ast, F.Vezaro 13+2reb+2ast, H.Silva 11+8reb+5ast, R.Luan 4+1reb, L.Augusto 3+1reb+1ast

Mogi - Paulistano 84-70

We should mention about the upset which took place in Mogi das Cruzes, where 7th ranked Paulistano (22-14) lost to tenth ranked Mogi (21-16) in a road game 70-84 on Wednesday. Mogi looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Andre Dikembe (206-1999) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and point guard Gabriel Campos (181-2001) who added 15 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four Mogi players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Lucas Siewert (208-1997, college: Colorado) with 13 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Gabriel Macedo (205-2005) scored 9 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mogi maintains tenth position with 21-16 record. Loser Paulistano keeps the seventh place with 14 games lost. Mogi will meet at home Osasco (#19) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Paulistano will play against Pato (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mogi: D.Andre 20+15reb+1ast, H.Charles 17+2reb+3ast, C.Gabriel 15+3reb+5ast, R.Mencarini 10+2reb+1ast, V.Chagas 7+3reb, C.Da 6+2reb+2ast
Paulistano: L.Siewert 13+5reb, M.Gabriel 9+8reb+1ast, G.Abreu 9+4reb, H.Kaleb 7+3reb+2ast, S.Vitor 7+2reb+6ast, L.Inacio 7+3reb+1ast