Superleague Round 17: Rafsanjan defeat Kalleh in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 17 in the Superleague took place in Amol. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-ranked Kalleh (12-5) to tenth ranked Rafsanjan (5-12) 78-76 on Monday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Rafsanjan maintains tenth place with 5-12 record. Newly promoted Kalleh dropped to the third position with five games lost. Rafsanjan are looking forward to face higher ranked Naft Abadan (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kalleh will play against the league's second-placed Zob Ahan and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Sixth-ranked Arak (7-8) gave a tough game to third ranked Zob Ahan (13-4). The visitors from Esfahan managed to secure only two-point victory 64-62. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Arak. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Newly promoted Arak dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Zob Ahan will play against Kalleh (#3) in Amol in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Arak will play at home against the league's leader Gorgan (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Superleague top team - Gorgan (15-2) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Sanaye (6-9) in Bandar Abbass 86-66. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Gorgan. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-2 record. Sanaye at the other side keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Gorgan will meet Arak (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Sanaye will play against Azarshahr and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Parsa was destroyed by Mahram on the opponent's court 92-69. Kerman outscored Azarshahr in a home game 84-56. Bottom-ranked Raad was rolled over Naft Abadan on the road 91-53.

Kalleh - Rafsanjan 76-78

The most exciting game of round 17 in the Superleague took place in Amol. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-ranked Kalleh (12-5) to tenth ranked Rafsanjan (5-12) 78-76 on Monday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Rafsanjan maintains tenth place with 5-12 record. Newly promoted Kalleh dropped to the third position with five games lost. Rafsanjan are looking forward to face higher ranked Naft Abadan (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kalleh will play against the league's second-placed Zob Ahan and will have a slim chance for a victory.

Mahram - Parsa 92-69

Rather expected game in Tehran where 7th ranked Parsa (7-9) was crushed by fifth ranked Mahram (10-6) 92-69 on Monday. Mahram maintains fifth place with 10-6 record. Parsa at the other side dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. Mahram will meet Kerman (#6) on the road in the next round. Parsa's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Mashhad to the arena Raad.

Kerman - Azarshahr 84-56

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Kerman (8-9) smashed at home 11th ranked Azarshahr (2-14) 84-56 on Monday. Kerman moved-up to sixth place. Azarshahr lost their ninth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh position with 14 games lost. Kerman will meet at home higher ranked Mahram (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Azarshahr will play against Sanaye (#9) in Bandar Abbass and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Arak - Zob Ahan 62-64

Sixth-ranked Arak (7-8) gave a tough game to third ranked Zob Ahan (13-4). The visitors from Esfahan managed to secure only two-point victory 64-62. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Arak. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Newly promoted Arak dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Zob Ahan will play against Kalleh (#3) in Amol in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Arak will play at home against the league's leader Gorgan (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Naft Abadan - Raad 91-53

Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Raad (2-15) was rolled over on the road by fourth ranked Naft Abadan (11-5) 91-53 on Monday. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Naft Abadan. They maintain fourth place with 11-5 record. Raad lost their sixth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost. Naft Abadan will meet at home Rafsanjan (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Raad's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Mashhad Parsa.

Sanaye - Gorgan 66-86

Superleague top team - Gorgan (15-2) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Sanaye (6-9) in Bandar Abbass 86-66. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Gorgan. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-2 record. Sanaye at the other side keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Gorgan will meet Arak (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Sanaye will play against Azarshahr and it may be a tough game between close rivals.