B3 League Round 54 (Regular Season): Saitama is defeated by Niigata A.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Saitama between third ranked Broncos (38-13) and fifth ranked Albirex (32-19) on Saturday night. Broncos were defeated by Albirex at home 91-78. Niigata A. made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Niigata A. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Albirex have a solid three-game winning streak. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 32-19 record. Saitama lost third consecutive game. They keep the third place with 13 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saitama will play at home against Niigata A. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Tokushima. Second ranked host Gambarous (39-12) defeated 4th ranked Try Hoop (33-18) 88-78. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Try Hoop. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) notched 27 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Yutaka Tsukamoto supported him with 17 points and 8 assists. Even a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds by American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Okayama. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokushima Gam. maintains second position with 39-12 record having four points less than leader Kagawa FA. Okayama at the other side keeps the fourth place with 18 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Okayama (#4) at home in the next round. Okayama will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Five Arrows (43-8) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed thirteenth ranked Pats Five (13-38) in Takamatsu 89-46. The best player for the winners was Hajime Imabayashi who scored 12 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Even Brauns who recorded 14 points and 9 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. Kagawa maintains first position with 43-8 record. Loser Pats Five keeps the thirteenth place with 38 games lost. Kagawa will meet at home Yamaguchi (#13) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 54: Shanan Utd won against Shinagawa on the opponent's court 80-75. Tokyo Z was outscored by Tokyo Utd in a home game 58-92. Kanazawa recorded a loss to Gifu on the road 75-66. Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie was crushed by Tachikawa on its own court 59-81. Tokyo Utd beat Tokyo Z in a road game 72-65. Shinagawa lost to Shanan Utd at home 71-76.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists by Jacob Polakovich of Shanan Utd.



Saitama - Niigata A. 78-91

The most important game in the last round took place in Saitama between third ranked Broncos (38-13) and fifth ranked Albirex (32-19) on Saturday night. Broncos were defeated by Albirex at home 91-78. Niigata A. made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Niigata A. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Albirex players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Albirex have a solid three-game winning streak. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 32-19 record. Saitama lost third consecutive game. They keep the third place with 13 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saitama will play at home against Niigata A. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saitama: D.Oliver 17+13reb+5ast, T.Buttrick 15+6reb+1ast, W.Creekmore 14+1ast, A.Tajima 7+1reb+3ast, M.Yuta 7+2reb+2ast, K.Masaharu 5
Niigata A.: P.Eugene 24+13reb+5ast, M.BJ 16+5reb, A.Higuchi 14+2reb+1ast, M.Nagao 12+1reb+3ast, M.Jean-Pierre 9+11reb+1ast, T.Hasegawa 5+1reb+3ast

Shinagawa - Shanan Utd 75-80

Rather expected game when 14th ranked Shinagawa (12-40) was defeated at home by eleventh ranked United (20-32) 80-75 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shanan Utd maintains eleventh position with 20-32 record. Shinagawa lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 40 games lost.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: G.Vasiliauskas 19+7reb+2ast, V.Hart 17+7reb+6ast, K.Yudai 10+5reb+2ast, S.Shuichiro 7+2reb+2ast, S.Horiuchi 5+1ast, N.Akihisa 5+2reb
Shanan Utd: R.Earnest 23+8reb+3ast, P.Jacob 17+12reb+1ast, P.Jeffrey 15+9reb+1ast, K.Nakano 6+1reb, T.Ishii 6+1ast, R.Sakamoto 6+1reb+3ast

Tokyo Z - Tokyo Utd 58-92

Very predictable result in Tokyo where seventh ranked United (29-23) smashed 12th ranked Earthfriends (16-36) 92-58 on Friday. Tokyo Utd had a 38-25 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. The best player for the winners was Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds. Four United players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. United have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains seventh position with 29-23 record. Loser Earthfriends keeps the twelfth place with 36 games lost.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 19+14reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 12+9reb+1ast, F.Ryoga 7+4reb+1ast, J.Spencer 6+7reb, M.Takumi 6, T.Ide 5+1reb+2ast
Tokyo Utd: V.Rhys 14+7reb+7ast, R.Kawashima 12+3reb+2ast, K.Hayden 11+7reb+2ast, S.Kedrick 11+1reb+4ast, W.Furukawa 9+3reb+1ast, D.Taguchi 9+2reb+1ast

Gifu - Kanazawa 75-66

There was a minor upset in Gifu where 8th ranked Samuraiz (26-25) was defeated by tenth ranked Swoops (22-29) 75-66 on Saturday. Gifu looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 12 points. Four Swoops players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) who recorded 14 points and 6 rebounds and Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) added 8 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gifu maintains tenth position with 22-29 record. Loser Samuraiz keeps the eighth place with 25 games lost. Gifu will meet at home higher ranked Kanazawa (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kanazawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: K.Allen 14+6reb+2ast, M.Burton 11+2reb+2ast, T.Issei 10+2reb+2ast, J.Cordilia 8+9reb+1ast, H.Harris 7+3reb+4ast, M.Gashu 5+3reb+2ast
Gifu: P.Blake 20+20reb+4ast, G.Jordan 12+4reb+2ast, S.Okubo 10+1reb+2ast, F.Daniel 10+4reb+2ast, M.Tanaka 6+1reb, A.Sambou 5+7reb

Veertien Mie - Tachikawa 59-81

Everything went according to plan in Yokkaichi where sixth ranked Dice (29-22) outscored bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (7-44) 81-59 on Saturday. Tachikawa outrebounded Veertien Mie 44-30 including 31 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who had a double-double by scoring 11 points and 20 rebounds. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds. Four Dice players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) who recorded 12 points and guard Takao Kimura (186-2001) added 7 points and 7 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Dice have a solid three-game winning streak. Tachikawa maintains sixth position with 29-22 record. Veertien Mie lost twenty third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 44 lost games. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Tachikawa (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: A.Fuga 13+1reb+2ast, C.Olivier 12+4reb+1ast, D.Doblas 8+5reb+2ast, K.Takao 7+7reb+2ast, S.Yusei 6+1reb+2ast, S.Takaya 5+1ast
Tachikawa: S.Endou 14+1reb, J.Ouchi 12, R.Gustys 11+20reb+3ast, F.Andrew 11+7reb+1ast, F.Sato 6+1ast, M.Kai 6

Tokushima Gam. - Okayama 88-78

The game between Top Four teams took place in Tokushima. Second ranked host Gambarous (39-12) defeated 4th ranked Try Hoop (33-18) 88-78. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Try Hoop. Tokushima Gam. forced 22 Okayama turnovers. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) notched 27 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and point guard Yutaka Tsukamoto (177-1997) supported him with 17 points and 8 assists. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds by American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Okayama. His fellow American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 18 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokushima Gam. maintains second position with 39-12 record having four points less than leader Kagawa FA. Okayama at the other side keeps the fourth place with 18 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Okayama (#4) at home in the next round. Okayama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: T.King 18+6reb, K.Hankerson 13+2reb+2ast, J.Scott 12+13reb+1ast, F.Mamadou 9+1reb, T.Keisuke 7+1reb+1ast, M.Yusuke 6+1ast
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 27+2reb+4ast, Y.Tsukamoto 17+1reb+8ast, M.Naoto 16+2reb, L.Ryan 12+3reb+5ast, C.Hunter 6+3reb+1ast, K.David 5+6reb

Kagawa FA - Yamaguchi 89-46

B3 League top team - Five Arrows (43-8) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed thirteenth ranked Pats Five (13-38) in Takamatsu 89-46. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 26. Kagawa forced 20 Yamaguchi turnovers and outrebounded them 48-28 including a 35-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) who scored 12 points and 6 assists. Center Patrick Kalonji (206-1999) chipped in 12 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) who recorded 14 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagawa maintains first position with 43-8 record. Loser Pats Five keeps the thirteenth place with 38 games lost. Kagawa will meet at home Yamaguchi (#13) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 14+9reb, A.Collum 9+8reb+3ast, Y.Rikiya 6+2reb, T.Shodai 6+3ast, K.Shuto 4+1reb+4ast, C.Kurihara 3+1reb+1ast
Kagawa FA: H.Imabayashi 12+3reb+6ast, P.Kalonji 12+9reb, Y.Ukeda 10+2reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 8+3reb, I.Takahashi 8+4reb+1ast, H.Tucker 8+3reb+4ast

Tokyo Z - Tokyo Utd 65-72

There was no surprise in Tokyo where 12th ranked Earthfriends (16-36) were defeated by seventh ranked United (29-23) 72-65 on Thursday. Tokyo Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) chipped in 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four United players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds and point guard Takumi Ide (174-1999) added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. United have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains seventh position with 29-23 record. Loser Earthfriends keeps the twelfth place with 36 games lost.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 23+17reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 11+11reb+1ast, T.Yoshi 11+1ast, T.Ide 8+5reb+10ast, S.Sho 6+3reb, J.Spencer 5+3reb+1ast
Tokyo Utd: F.Jordan 15+14reb+8ast, V.Rhys 11+6reb+5ast, K.Hayden 11+3reb+3ast, H.Hiroki 10+4reb+5ast, R.Kawashima 9+4reb+1ast, S.Kedrick 9+4reb+2ast

Shinagawa - Shanan Utd 71-76

No shocking result in a game when eleventh ranked United (20-32) won against on the road 14th ranked Shinagawa (12-40) 76-71 on Friday. Shanan Utd outrebounded Shinagawa 37-25 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Shinya Takagi (187-1997) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Four United players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who recorded 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) added 16 points and 8 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shanan Utd maintains eleventh position with 20-32 record. Shinagawa lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 40 games lost.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 21+7reb+4ast, R.Tawatari 16+3reb+8ast, G.Vasiliauskas 16+1reb+2ast, S.Shuichiro 7+1reb, O.Tomoya 3+3reb+1ast, N.Akihisa 3+6reb+2ast
Shanan Utd: S.Takagi 16+9reb+2ast, T.Ishii 15+1reb, P.Jacob 14+14reb+5ast, P.Jeffrey 13+5reb+2ast, R.Earnest 9+2reb, I.Takaya 4+1reb+7ast