B3 League Round 20 (Regular Season): Tokyo lose to Niigata A. in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Niigata. Second ranked host Albirex (14-7) defeated 4th ranked Hachioji Trains (12-5) 78-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hachioji Trains. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds and American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) who added 11 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) responded with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata A. maintains second position with 14-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side dropped to the fifth place with five games lost. Niigata A. are looking forward to face Tokyo (#5) at home in the next round. Tokyo will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie managed to get a fourth victory, breaking the three-game losing streak. This time they outleveled thirteenth-ranked Earthfriends in Yokkaichi 83-64. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 19-point difference suggests that Veertien Mie is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Earthfriends. The winners were led by Latvian Matiss Kulackovskis (203-1997, college: BGSU) who scored that evening 25 points and 5 rebounds and David Doblas supported him with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Veertien Mie maintains fifteenth position with 4-15 record. Tokyo Z at the other side dropped to the twelfth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa. Veertien Mie will play against higher ranked Tokyo Z (#13) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Gambarous (15-4) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat ninth ranked United (9-10) in Tokushima 99-87. The best player for the winners was Roosevelt Adams who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds. Jacob Polakovich produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 15-4 record. Loser United keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Tokushima Gam. will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 20: Yamaguchi lost to Tokyo Utd on the opponent's court 55-69. Tachikawa unfortunately lost to Kagawa in a home game 93-106. Gifu managed to beat Kanazawa on the road 84-70. Okayama defeated Shinagawa on its own court 73-68.



Tokyo Utd - Yamaguchi 69-55

Rather expected game in Tokyo where 14th ranked Pats Five (5-16) was defeated by eleventh ranked United (7-12) 69-55 on Saturday. Tokyo Utd outrebounded Yamaguchi 45-30 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Takuma Enokida (184-1998, agency: Octagon Europe) added 10 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokyo Utd maintains eleventh position with 7-12 record. Yamaguchi lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 16 games lost. Tokyo Utd will meet at home Yamaguchi (#14) in the next round. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: V.Rhys 22+11reb+3ast, K.Hayden 12+7reb+1ast, H.Higashi 9+5reb+6ast, S.Kedrick 8+5reb+6ast, K.Tanaka 6+1reb, B.Glorida 5+8reb
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 18+10reb+1ast, T.Enokida 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Rikiya 8+2reb+2ast, K.Shuto 7+1reb+3ast, I.Yuki 4+3reb+4ast, H.Bostyn 3+1reb

Tachikawa - Kagawa FA 93-106

Rather predictable result in Tachikawa where third ranked Five Arrows (13-4) defeated 5th ranked Dice (12-7) 106-93 on Saturday. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Tachikawa's players. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who scored 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 25 points and 6 rebounds. Power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds and swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) added 26 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Five Arrows have a solid four-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains third position with 13-4 record having 2 victories less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Dice dropped to the sixth place with seven games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tachikawa will play against Kagawa (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: D.Alex 25+6reb+1ast, H.Tucker 24+7reb+5ast, L.Jacob 17+7reb+3ast, H.Imabayashi 10+1reb+3ast, T.Koyo 10+3ast, Y.Ukeda 7+7ast
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 30+15reb+1ast, L.Peak 26+7reb+2ast, S.Fumiya 13+1reb, M.Ousu 10+2reb+4ast, E.Shouta 6+1ast, M.Yuto 5+1reb+3ast

Niigata A. - Tokyo HT 78-66

The game between Top Four teams took place in Niigata. Second ranked host Albirex (14-7) defeated 4th ranked Hachioji Trains (12-5) 78-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hachioji Trains. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds and American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) who added 11 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Albirex players scored in double figures. American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) responded with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and scored 11 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata A. maintains second position with 14-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side dropped to the fifth place with five games lost. Niigata A. are looking forward to face Tokyo (#5) at home in the next round. Tokyo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: P.Pogue 16+3reb, M.Nagao 13+3reb+3ast, P.Eugene 12+14reb, M.BJ 11+5reb+3ast, T.Hasegawa 8+2reb+3ast, K.Igarashi 6+3reb+2ast
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 12+7reb+4ast, O.Hiroya 11+2reb+3ast, T.Keitaro 10, Y.Fuki 10+3reb+2ast, D.Clay 8+3reb, K.Steve 5+7reb

Kanazawa - Gifu 70-84

Not a big story in a game in Ishikawa where 10th ranked Samuraiz (8-11) was defeated by eighth ranked Swoops (10-9) 84-70 on Saturday. Gifu made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Gifu outrebounded Kanazawa 42-30 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds. Kodai Takahashi chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) produced 15 points and 9 rebounds and Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Samuraiz's coach rotated eleven players saving starting five for next games. Gifu maintains eighth position with 10-9 record. Loser Samuraiz keeps the tenth place with 11 games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gifu: P.Blake 27+17reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 17+5reb+5ast, M.Koga 10+3reb+1ast, G.Jordan 7+2reb+1ast, F.Daniel 6+4reb, A.Sambou 6+3reb
Kanazawa: K.Allen 15+9reb+3ast, J.Cordilia 14+3reb+1ast, T.Issei 10+1ast, O.Takayuki 8+2reb, M.Gashu 7+4reb+1ast, H.Koki 7+2reb+2ast

Veertien Mie - Tokyo Z 83-64

Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie managed to get a fourth victory, breaking the three-game losing streak. This time they outleveled thirteenth-ranked Earthfriends in Yokkaichi 83-64. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 19-point difference suggests that Veertien Mie is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Earthfriends. Veertien Mie players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. The winners were led by Latvian Matiss Kulackovskis (203-1997, college: BGSU) who scored that evening 25 points and 5 rebounds and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) supported him with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. His fellow American import forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) added 18 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Veertien Mie maintains fifteenth position with 4-15 record. Tokyo Z at the other side dropped to the twelfth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa. Veertien Mie will play against higher ranked Tokyo Z (#13) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: K.Matiss 25+5reb+2ast, T.Kimura 10+2reb+1ast, D.David 10+9reb+4ast, T.Kume 9+4ast, Y.Sano 8+2reb, M.Taguchi 7+1reb
Tokyo Z: M.Benlevi 18+5reb+1ast, J.Combs 17+7reb, J.Spencer 10+1reb+2ast, S.Sho 5+3reb+1ast, N.Ryutaro 5+2reb, F.Ryoga 3+1reb+5ast

Okayama - Shinagawa 73-68

Everything went according to plan in Okayama where sixth ranked Try Hoop (13-8) beat 12th ranked Shinagawa (5-14) 73-68 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Okayama outrebounded Shinagawa 42-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 9 points and 16 rebounds. Keisuke Takabatake chipped in 14 points. American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) produced 25 points and 6 rebounds and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Okayama moved-up to fourth place. Loser Shinagawa keeps the twelfth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Tokyo Z. Okayama will again meet at home Shinagawa (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shinagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Takabatake 14+3reb+2ast, Y.Mukai 14+4reb, H.Kameron 9+2reb+1ast, S.Josh 9+16reb+3ast, S.Cherif 9+6reb+2ast, A.Hikaru 5+5reb
Shinagawa: V.Hart 25+6reb+1ast, H.Seiya 14+1ast, Y.Hibiki 10+2reb+3ast, G.Vasiliauskas 9+7reb+1ast, M.Grazulis 4+5reb+1ast, O.Kunitatsu 2+3reb

Tokushima Gam. - Shanan Utd 99-87

B3 League top team - Gambarous (15-4) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat ninth ranked United (9-10) in Tokushima 99-87. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 27 points and 6 rebounds. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 31 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 15-4 record. Loser United keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Tokushima Gam. will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: A.Roosevelt 28+8reb, D.Tavrion 27+6reb+2ast, L.Ryan 18+3reb+5ast, Y.Tsukamoto 7+6ast, M.Naoto 5+3reb, K.David 4+5reb+1ast
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 31+5reb+3ast, J.Polakovich 29+15reb, S.Shuki 9+1reb+5ast, I.Tomohiro 6+3reb+2ast, N.Kodai 6+2reb, H.Hee Hyeon 2