National League Round 1 (Regular Season): Astana Ac. defeat Almaty L.

The Regular Season in National League just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Almaty L. on the court of Astana Ac. on Friday night. Visitors were edged by Astana Ac. 77-74. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Alexander Orazbekov (180-2002) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. American forward Galin Smith (204-1998, college: Maryland) contributed with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) answered with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Almaty L.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Astana Ac. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Almaty L. will play on the road against Irtysh in Pavlodar and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Another interesting game for Caspiy Aktau which played in Kostanay against Tobol. Caspiy Aktau won 83-74. The former international guard Maksim Marchuk (195-1994) stepped up and scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners and LaDarius Marshall chipped in 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. At the losing side the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds. Caspiy Aktau will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tobol will play again at home against Caspiy Aktau to get more than just one victory in their record.
A very close game took place in Aktobe between Aktobe and Irbis. Aktobe got a very close home victory over Irbis. Aktobe managed to escape with a 3-point win 81-78 in the fight for the third place. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. American players dominated the game. TK Smith nailed 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winning side. Jackson Dubinski came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals for Irbis in the defeat. Aktobe will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irbis will play against Barsy Atyrau and hope to win that game.

Other games in round 1 were not that significant. Almaty L. beat Astana Ac. on the road 90-86. Irtysh was destroyed by Almaty L. on its own court 68-89. Bottom-ranked Irbis managed to outperform Aktobe in Almaty 75-62.



Astana Ac. - Almaty L. 77-74

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Almaty L. on the court of Astana Ac. on Friday night. Visitors were edged by Astana Ac. 77-74. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Alexander Orazbekov (180-2002) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. American forward Galin Smith (204-1998, college: Maryland) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Nikita Fedchenko (190-2004) answered with 20 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in the effort for Almaty L.Four Almaty L. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Astana Ac. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Almaty L. will play on the road against Irtysh in Pavlodar and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: N.Fedchenko 20+8reb+2ast, D.Severgin 13+5reb+8ast, N.Timofeev 12+11reb+1ast, D.Albrant 10+2reb+1ast, S.Sahipov 8+1reb+2ast, A.Volkov 4+2reb
Astana Ac.: A.Orazbekov 19+2reb+4ast, G.Smith 14+10reb, S.Abashidze 10+4reb+1ast, V.Isaenko 9+4reb+2ast, M.Sarsengaliev 9+5reb+3ast, A.Suleimenov 8+1reb

Astana Ac. - Almaty L. 86-90

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when Almaty L. beat on the road Astana Ac. 90-86 on Saturday. Almaty L. dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Astana Ac.'s 28. Almaty L. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Guard Dias Kalymbetov (190-2004) nailed 27 points and 4 assists for the winning side and the former international center Daniel Albrant (205-1998) accounted for 22 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Magzhan Sarsengaliev (187-2002) came up with 17 points and 6 assists and international point guard Alexander Orazbekov (180-2002) added 15 points and 5 assists respectively for Astana Ac. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Almaty L. will meet Irtysh in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Astana Ac. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: M.Sarsengaliev 17+2reb+6ast, A.Orazbekov 15+4reb+5ast, V.Simonov 12+1reb+1ast, Z.Medovskoy 10+3reb+2ast, I.Pestov 8+3reb+2ast, A.Suleimenov 5+3reb+1ast
Almaty L.: D.Kalymbetov 27+3reb+4ast, D.Albrant 22+5reb+3ast, S.Sahipov 14+3reb+5ast, N.Timofeev 11+5reb+6ast, D.Sviridov 9+1reb+1ast, N.Fedchenko 5+6reb+2ast

Aktobe - Irbis 81-78

A very close game took place in Aktobe between Aktobe and Irbis. Aktobe got a very close home victory over Irbis. Aktobe managed to escape with a 3-point win 81-78 in the fight for the third place. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Aktobe looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American players dominated the game. Guard TK Smith (196-1998, college: PVAMU, agency: MSG) nailed 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winning side and forward Devin Evans (206-2001, college: USC Aiken, agency: Haylett Sports) accounted for 15 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Jackson Dubinski (185-1996, college: Columbia, MO) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals and guard Jalon Perry (185-1998, college: Faulkner) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Irbis in the defeat. Four Irbis players scored in double figures. Aktobe will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irbis will play against Barsy Atyrau and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Irbis: J.Dubinski 20+6reb+10ast, J.Perry 18+7reb+3ast, A.Zhigulin 15+7reb+1ast, N.Bazhin 12+11reb+3ast, D.Seleznyov 6+1reb+1ast, D.Gavrilov 4+3reb+1ast
Aktobe: T.Smith 36+8reb+5ast, D.Evans 15+12reb+2ast, B.Omarov 10+3reb+5ast, A.Aliev 7+4reb, A.Junusov 5+2reb+4ast, N.Lytyh 5+6reb+3ast

Irtysh - Almaty L. 68-89

Very expected game when Irtysh was smashed by Almaty L. in Pavlodar 89-68 on Tuesday. Almaty L. dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Irtysh's 28. They outrebounded Irtysh 44-26 including a 30-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international center Daniel Albrant (205-1998) nailed 24 points for the winning side and guard Dias Kalymbetov (190-2004) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds. Four Almaty L. players scored in double figures. Forward Nazim Adylbekov (200-2001) came up with 14 points and 9 rebounds and guard Ali Isagulov (186-2004) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively for Irtysh in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Almaty L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Irtysh will play again against Almaty L. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Irtysh: A.Alyonushka 15+1reb+3ast, N.Adylbekov 14+9reb+1ast, A.Isagulov 12+4reb+4ast, M.Shamuratov 8+3reb+2ast, V.Bagrov 6+4reb, A.Yurkov 5+1reb
Almaty L.: D.Albrant 24+4reb, D.Kalymbetov 12+7reb+2ast, D.Sviridov 12+3reb+2ast, N.Fedchenko 11+7reb+1ast, A.Volkov 8+2reb, N.Timofeev 7+4reb+1ast

Aktobe - Irbis 62-75

There was a surprise result when Irbis won against on the road Aktobe 75-62 on Tuesday. Irbis outrebounded Aktobe 49-31 including a 18-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Irbis looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The former international forward Alexander Zhigulin (205-1994) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and American guard Jackson Dubinski (185-1996, college: Columbia, MO) accounted for 13 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Dubinski is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Irbis players scored in double figures. American forward Devin Evans (206-2001, college: USC Aiken, agency: Haylett Sports) came up with 18 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard TK Smith (196-1998, college: PVAMU, agency: MSG) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Aktobe in the defeat. Irbis will meet Barsy Atyrau on the road in the next round. Aktobe will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aktobe: T.Smith 19+5reb+3ast, D.Evans 18+8reb+2ast, N.Lytyh 8+5reb+2ast, A.Aliev 5+2reb+2ast, K.Utegen 5+1ast, A.Junusov 5+6reb+3ast
Irbis: N.Bazhin 18+9reb+3ast, A.Zhigulin 16+13reb+7ast, J.Perry 16+2reb+1ast, J.Dubinski 13+10reb+8ast, R.Valiyev 8+3reb+4ast, D.Gavrilov 2+6reb+1ast

Tobol - Caspiy Aktau 74-83

Another interesting game for Caspiy Aktau which played in Kostanay against Tobol. Caspiy Aktau won 83-74. Caspiy Aktau made 17-of-21 charity shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists. The former international guard Maksim Marchuk (195-1994) stepped up and scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners and American power forward LaDarius Marshall (201-1999, college: Alcorn St.) chipped in 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Four Caspiy Aktau players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds and the former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Caspiy Aktau will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tobol will play again at home against Caspiy Aktau to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bykov 23+17reb+2ast, S.Kuanov 19+5reb+9ast, V.Petrishinets 12+4reb+2ast, M.Kalujnyy 9+6reb+1ast, A.Bitenov 7+2reb+2ast, P.Ilyin 4+4reb+4ast
Caspiy Aktau: L.Marshall 20+10reb+6ast, M.Marchuk 19+9reb+9ast, R.Marchuk 17+4reb+2ast, K.Neff 12+3reb+6ast, Z.Dzhakauov 8+1reb+4ast, G.Korganbaev 5+2reb+1ast