Premier League Round 19 (Regular Season): #1 Geresa is defeated by Pella

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Premier League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Geresa (15-5) at the home court on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Pella (8-12) 84-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Geresa. It was a great evening for guard Ahmad Hassouneh (185-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 4 assists. American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) helped adding 16 points and 10 rebounds. At the losing side American point guard Byron Maxwell (175-1993, college: LeMoyne-Owen) responded with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Geresa's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Pella maintains fifth place with 8-12 record. Geresa at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still keeps top position with five games lost. Pella are looking forward to face higher ranked Petra (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Geresa will play against Rum and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in . Second ranked Philadelphia (14-5) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 4th placed Petra (11-9) 77-76 on Monday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Croatian power forward Josip Mikulic (215-1993, college: Fairfield, agency: Interperformances) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 9 rebounds. Malek Kanaan accounted for 24 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. American power forward Gregoryshon Magee (211-1990, college: USA) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for Petra in the defeat. Newly promoted Philadelphia maintains second place with 14-5 record behind leader Geresa. Petra at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Philadelphia will play against Arabella (#6) in the next round. Petra will play against Pella and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Rum (13-7) against fourth ranked Petra (11-9) on Saturday night. Host Rum was defeated by Petra in 76-64. Gregoryshon Magee fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners. Hunter Strait produced 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Newly promoted Petra maintains fourth place with 11-9 record. Rum at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the third position with seven games lost. Petra will meet at home Pella (#5) in the next round. Rum will play against the league's leader Geresa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 19: Arabella lost to Geresa on the opponent's court 72-76. Philadelphia managed to outperform Pella in a home game 81-67. Arabella recorded a loss to Rum on the road 91-83.



Rum - Petra 64-76

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Rum (13-7) against fourth ranked Petra (11-9) on Saturday night. Host Rum was defeated by Petra in 76-64. Petra outrebounded Rum 46-33 including a 40-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Petra looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American power forward Gregoryshon Magee (211-1990, college: USA) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international Khaled Abuaboud (202-1997) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 18 rebounds. Magee is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Petra players scored in double figures. American guard Hunter Strait (188-2000, college: Truman St.) produced 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and international forward Hashem Abbas (198-1999, college: Bridgeport) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Newly promoted Petra maintains fourth place with 11-9 record. Rum at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the third position with seven games lost. Petra will meet at home Pella (#5) in the next round. Rum will play against the league's leader Geresa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Petra: G.Magee 27+10reb+2ast, D.Haye 19+4reb+5ast, K.Abuaboud 12+18reb+3ast, B.Abu Abood 10+5reb+1ast, A.Bostami 6+5reb+8ast, M.AlShamali 2+2reb+4ast
Rum: H.Strait 22+6reb+6ast, H.Abbas 18+6reb+2ast, A.Alhendi 9+4reb+2ast, A.Zoubi 5+5reb+3ast, K.Thaher 5+4reb, M.Hazaymeh 3+2reb

Geresa - Arabella 76-72

Very expected game when 6th ranked Arabella (6-13) was defeated on the road by first ranked Geresa (15-5) 76-72 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Geresa outrebounded Arabella 51-40 including a 37-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Geresa made 7 blocks. American point guard Byron Maxwell (175-1993, college: LeMoyne-Owen) fired a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. The former international center Yousef Abuwazaneh (201-1993) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Worth to mention Maxwell played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Four Geresa players scored in double figures. Dmonta Harris produced a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Emmanuel Egbuta (201-1996, college: Tennessee St.) added 23 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Geresa maintains first place with 15-5 record. Arabella at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Geresa will meet at home Rum (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Arabella will play against the league's second-placed Philadelphia and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Geresa: B.Maxwell 20+11reb+11ast, Y.Abuwazaneh 16+11reb, A.Kanaan 12+3reb+1ast, Y.Albabeish 11+4reb+1ast, A.Alhamarsheh 5+13reb+3ast, A.Al Shiyab 5
Arabella: D.Harris 28+10reb+3ast, E.Egbuta 23+10reb+2ast, Y.Shatat 8+7reb+7ast, N.Anzour 5+2reb+1ast, A.Abu Rashed 3+1reb, M.Mansour 3+3reb+1ast

Philadelphia - Pella 81-67

Rather predictable result when second ranked Philadelphia (14-5) defeated at home 5th ranked Pella (8-12) 81-67 on Saturday. Philadelphia outrebounded Pella 54-35 including a 24-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Philadelphia looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Zane Najdawi (201-1996, college: Citadel) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. Croatian power forward Josip Mikulic (215-1993, college: Fairfield, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Philadelphia players scored in double figures. Guard Ahmad Hassouneh (185-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Mohammad Shaher added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Newly promoted Philadelphia maintains second place with 14-5 record behind leader Geresa. Pella at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. Philadelphia will meet at home Arabella (#6) in the next round. Pella will play against Petra and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Philadelphia: Z.Najdawi 20+18reb+3ast, M.Kanaan 17+4reb+6ast, J.Mikulic 17+6reb+5ast, F.Qarmash 13+7reb+8ast, G.Faraj 8+13reb, S.Abusalem 6+6reb+2ast
Pella: M.Shaher 18+5reb+3ast, Y.Awamleh 12+5reb+1ast, A.Hassouneh 12+10reb+6ast, D.Gilmore 8+12reb+3ast, A.Hammouri 6+1reb+2ast, A.Husseini 6+1reb+1ast

Philadelphia - Petra 77-76

Important game to mention about took place in . Second ranked Philadelphia (14-5) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 4th placed Petra (11-9) 77-76 on Monday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Croatian power forward Josip Mikulic (215-1993, college: Fairfield, agency: Interperformances) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 9 rebounds. International guard Malek Kanaan (182-1993, college: W.Valley JC) accounted for 24 points, 6 assists and 4 steals for the winning side. American power forward Gregoryshon Magee (211-1990, college: USA) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds and the former international Khaled Abuaboud (202-1997) added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Petra in the defeat. Newly promoted Philadelphia maintains second place with 14-5 record behind leader Geresa. Petra at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Philadelphia will play against Arabella (#6) in the next round. Petra will play against Pella and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Philadelphia: J.Mikulic 27+9reb+2ast, M.Kanaan 24+4reb+6ast, M.Mutlaq 14+5reb, F.Qarmash 8+8reb+9ast, G.Faraj 3+7reb+1ast, S.Abusalem 1+1reb
Petra: G.Magee 19+12reb, K.Abuaboud 18+7reb+4ast, E.Eid 12+7reb+5ast, B.Abu Abood 6+3reb+3ast, D.Haye 6+5reb+4ast, M.AlShamali 5+1reb+1ast

Rum - Arabella 91-83

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Arabella (6-13) was defeated on the road by third ranked Rum (13-7) 91-83 on Monday. Rum outrebounded Arabella 51-39 including 37 on the defensive glass. Rum looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Arabella's players. International forward Hashem Abbas (198-1999, college: Bridgeport) fired a double-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Forward Mohammad Nasereddin (196, college: Wheaton, MA) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Dmonta Harris produced a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Emmanuel Egbuta (201-1996, college: Tennessee St.) added 20 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Newly promoted Rum maintains third place with 13-7 record having just two points less than leader Geresa. Arabella at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Rum will meet league's leader Geresa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Arabella will play against the league's second-placed Philadelphia (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rum: H.Abbas 30+13reb+7ast, K.Thaher 16+5reb, H.Strait 14+7reb+6ast, M.Nasereddin 13+13reb+7ast, M.Hazaymeh 8+5reb+2ast, A.Zoubi 6+1reb+2ast
Arabella: D.Harris 32+11reb+1ast, E.Egbuta 20+13reb+2ast, N.Anzour 14+2reb+2ast, A.Shureiqi 10+4reb+2ast, Y.Shatat 3+7reb+7ast, I.Al-Naser 2+2reb

Geresa - Pella 77-84

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Geresa (15-5) at the home court on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Pella (8-12) 84-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Geresa. It was a great evening for guard Ahmad Hassouneh (185-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 4 assists. American power forward Devin Gilmore (200-1997, college: Murray St.) helped adding 16 points and 10 rebounds. Four Pella players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Byron Maxwell (175-1993, college: LeMoyne-Owen) responded with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international center Yousef Abuwazaneh (201-1993) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Geresa's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Pella maintains fifth place with 8-12 record. Geresa at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still keeps top position with five games lost. Pella are looking forward to face higher ranked Petra (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Geresa will play against Rum and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Pella: A.Hassouneh 27+2reb+4ast, A.Hammouri 18+7reb+2ast, D.Gilmore 16+10reb+3ast, M.Shaher 11+11reb+3ast, Y.Awamleh 5+2reb+1ast, N.Abu Shreikh 4+6reb+3ast
Geresa: B.Maxwell 30+9reb+5ast, Y.Abuwazaneh 14+14reb+4ast, Y.Al Taweel 12+4reb+1ast, A.Alhamarsheh 9+8reb+4ast, A.Al Shiyab 8+1reb, M.Ghunaim 4+1reb