Round 4 of Regular Season. Semifinals are set

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most shocking disappointment of round 4 was a home defeat of their biggest opponent Chinese Liaoning (1-2) by third ranked UAE Shabab Al Ahli (2-1) who outscored them by 32 points 97-65. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shabab Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Flying Leopards' 26. They outrebounded Flying Leopards 48-31 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shabab Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Flying Leopards' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Travin Thibodeaux (203-1996, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists and center Qais Alshabebi (200-1991) who added 25 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Chenzhifeng Zhang (-2003) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Chinese champion Liaoning dropped to the third place with two games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Jeonju. 3rd ranked South Korean host Egis (0-3) lost to second ranked Indonesian Pelita Jaya (2-1) 98-91. The winners were led by American power forward James Dickey III (208-1996, college: UNCG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 26 points, 26 rebounds and 4 assists and Justin Brownlee supported him with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds by American-Ivorian power forward Deon Thompson (204-1988, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for KCC Egis. Egis' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Pelita Jaya keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. KCC Egis at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with NS Matrix.
4th ranked Malaysian host NS Matrix (0-3) was smashed by top-ranked Lebanese Al Riyadi (3-0) 108-88. Zach Lofton fired 26 points and 8 assists for the winners. John Murry produced a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Riyadi have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 3-0 record. Defending Malaysian champion NS Matrix still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with KCC Egis.

The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 9 rebounds by Hayk Gyokchyan of Al Riyadi.



KCC Egis - Pelita Jaya 91-98

The game between Top Four teams took place in Jeonju. 3rd ranked South Korean host Egis (0-3) lost to second ranked Indonesian Pelita Jaya (2-1) 98-91. Pelita Jaya dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Egis' 38. The winners were led by American power forward James Dickey III (208-1996, college: UNCG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 26 points, 26 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Filipino forward Justin Brownlee (197-1988, college: St.John's) supported him with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Brownlee is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds by American-Ivorian power forward Deon Thompson (204-1988, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for KCC Egis. Joon-Young Choi (200-1994) added 21 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Five Pelita Jaya and four KCC Egis players scored in double figures. Egis' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Pelita Jaya keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. KCC Egis at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with NS Matrix.
Top scorers:
KCC Egis: D.Thompson 21+16reb+1ast, J.Choi 21+5reb+3ast, G.Lee 20+6reb+2ast, U.Heo 17+5ast, H.Lee 8+1reb+6ast, D.Kim 2+2reb
Pelita Jaya: J.Dickey III 26+26reb+4ast, J.Brownlee 21+13reb+5ast, A.Dhyaksa 19+3ast, M.Guntara 15+3reb+2ast, M.Arighi 10+1reb+1ast, Y.Saudale 5+1ast

Liaoning FL - Shabab Al Ahli 65-97

The most shocking disappointment of round 4 was a home defeat of their biggest opponent Chinese Liaoning (1-2) by third ranked UAE Shabab Al Ahli (2-1) who outscored them by 32 points 97-65. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shabab Al Ahli dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Flying Leopards' 26. They outrebounded Flying Leopards 48-31 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shabab Al Ahli looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Flying Leopards' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Travin Thibodeaux (203-1996, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists and center Qais Alshabebi (200-1991) who added 25 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Five Shabab Al Ahli players scored in double figures. At the losing side Chenzhifeng Zhang (-2003) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds and forward Minchen Chong (200-1995) scored 16 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. Defending UAE champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Chinese champion Liaoning dropped to the third place with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Liaoning FL: M.Chong 16, H.Li 12+1reb+3ast, C.Zhang 10+12reb+2ast, R.Rice 9+3reb+1ast, Y.Liu 7+2reb+1ast, Z.Yu 6+2reb+1ast
Shabab Al Ahli: Q.Alshabebi 25+14reb, T.Thibodeaux 20+13reb+8ast, S.Pointer 17+2reb+6ast, M.Georges-Hunt 17+13reb+5ast, T.Alnuaimi 12+1reb+1ast, A.Abdulelah 6+3reb+1ast

NS Matrix - Al Riyadi 88-108

4th ranked Malaysian host NS Matrix (0-3) was smashed by top-ranked Lebanese Al Riyadi (3-0) 108-88. Al Riyadi shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 51.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1993, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) fired 26 points and 8 assists for the winners. Forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) chipped in 21 points and 9 rebounds. American guard John Murry (194-1995, college: Austin Peay) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Chun-Hong Ting (193-1996) added 17 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Riyadi have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 3-0 record. Defending Malaysian champion NS Matrix still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with KCC Egis.
Top scorers:
NS Matrix: J.Murry 21+11reb+6ast, C.Ting 17+4reb+3ast, J.Tolbert 11+11reb+2ast, S.Zimmerman 10+4reb+1ast, T.Kuek 8+1reb+1ast, Y.Wong 8+2reb+2ast
Al Riyadi: Z.Lofton 26+4reb+8ast, H.Gyokchyan 21+9reb+3ast, K.Zeinoun 18+2reb+10ast, W.Arakji 12+4reb+5ast, E.Kikanovic 9+4reb, T.Maker 8+2reb+3ast