National League Round 15 (Regular Season): Tobol keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Tobol as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Tobol smashed 6th ranked Astana Ac. in Kostanay 114-70. Tobol dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Astana Ac.'s 30 and made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Tobol looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 23 passes made by Astana Ac.'s players. 24 personal fouls committed by Astana Ac. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for point guard Adilbek Bitenov (174-2001) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 4 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) helped adding 18 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was the former international point guard Magzhan Sarsengaliev (187-2002) with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tobol (16-4) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Astana Ac. at the other side keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. Astana Ac. will play next round against strong Barsy Atyrau trying to get back on the winning streak. Tobol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Leading Irbis (15-4) recorded its fourth loss in Almaty. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau (11-7) 77-71. It was an exceptional evening for Alexandr Ermakov (-2005) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Abat Marat accounted for 20 points. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Myles Douglas (203-1998, college: Morgan St.) came up with 19 points for Irbis in the defeat. Barsy Atyrau maintains fourth place with 11-7 record. Defending champion Irbis dropped to the second position with four games lost. Barsy Atyrau will play against Astana Ac. (#6) on the road in the next round. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty Almaty L..
Fourth-ranked Barsy Atyrau (11-7) gave a tough game to first ranked Irbis (15-4) in Almaty on Thursday. Irbis managed to secure only three-point victory 71-68. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Myles Douglas who scored 23 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Alexandr Ermakov who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Irbis went down to second position due to points difference. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty Almaty L..

In the last two games of round 15 Barsy Atyrau lost to Almaty L. on the opponent's court 68-81. Tobol outscored Astana Ac. in a home game 112-73.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 16 points and 10 assists by Shaim Kuanov of Tobol.



Almaty L. - Barsy Atyrau 81-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th placed Barsy Atyrau's (11-7) road loss to third ranked Almaty L. (12-5) 68-81 on Sunday. Almaty L. forced 20 Barsy Atyrau turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Uzbekistani center Dmitry Sviridov (212-1985) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Alexandr Ermakov (-2005) who recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American Keith Charleston (203-1995, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Bell Basketball) added 9 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Almaty L.. They maintain third place with 12-5 record having seven points less than leader Tobol. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. Almaty L.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Almaty to the arena Irbis.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: N.Fedchenko 14+2reb, A.Volkov 13, D.Sviridov 12+11reb+1ast, N.Timofeev 12+8reb+3ast, D.Severgin 10+9reb+10ast, D.Albrant 9+5reb+1ast
Barsy Atyrau: A.Oralbekov 16+1reb+2ast, A.Marat 13+3reb+5ast, A.Ermakov 12+6reb+4ast, R.Samsin 11+7reb, K.Charleston 9+12reb, B.Baktygali 4+5reb+4ast

Irbis - Barsy Atyrau 71-77

Leading Irbis (15-4) recorded its fourth loss in Almaty. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau (11-7) 77-71. It was an exceptional evening for Alexandr Ermakov (-2005) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Forward Abat Marat (180-2005) accounted for 20 points for the winning side. Four Barsy Atyrau players scored in double figures. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Myles Douglas (203-1998, college: Morgan St.) came up with 19 points and the other American import point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Irbis in the defeat. Barsy Atyrau maintains fourth place with 11-7 record. Defending champion Irbis dropped to the second position with four games lost. Barsy Atyrau will play against Astana Ac. (#6) on the road in the next round. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty Almaty L..
Top scorers:
Barsy Atyrau: A.Marat 20+3reb+2ast, A.Ermakov 17+7reb+3ast, K.Charleston 11+5reb+3ast, R.Samsin 10+7reb, A.Oralbekov 6+3reb+2ast, A.Omarov 5
Irbis: M.Douglas 19+4reb, J.Perry 12+5reb, N.Bazhin 11+7reb+3ast, K.Tabb 9+9reb+4ast, D.Gavrilov 8+2reb, A.Zhigulin 7+8reb+3ast

Irbis - Barsy Atyrau 71-68

Fourth-ranked Barsy Atyrau (11-7) gave a tough game to first ranked Irbis (15-4) in Almaty on Thursday. Irbis managed to secure only three-point victory 71-68. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was American forward Myles Douglas (203-1998, college: Morgan St.) who scored 23 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Keshon Tabb (180-1999, college: Rust) chipped in 15 points and 6 steals. Tabb is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Alexandr Ermakov (-2005) who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American Keith Charleston (203-1995, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Bell Basketball) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Irbis went down to second position due to points difference. Loser Barsy Atyrau keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Irbis' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Almaty Almaty L..
Top scorers:
Irbis: M.Douglas 23+9reb, K.Tabb 15+4reb+2ast, N.Bazhin 10+5reb+2ast, J.Perry 6+3reb+3ast, V.Fabrikantov 6+1reb+1ast, D.Gavrilov 6+11reb+1ast
Barsy Atyrau: A.Ermakov 18+9reb+4ast, K.Charleston 15+5reb+2ast, R.Samsin 9+7reb+1ast, A.Marat 7+2ast, A.Oralbekov 6+2reb, B.Baktygali 6+1reb+2ast

Tobol - Astana Ac. 114-70

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Tobol as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Tobol smashed 6th ranked Astana Ac. in Kostanay 114-70. Tobol dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Astana Ac.'s 30 and made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Tobol looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 23 passes made by Astana Ac.'s players. 24 personal fouls committed by Astana Ac. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for point guard Adilbek Bitenov (174-2001) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 4 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) helped adding 18 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was the former international point guard Magzhan Sarsengaliev (187-2002) with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Zahar Medovskoy (188-2006) scored 16 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tobol (16-4) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Astana Ac. at the other side keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. Astana Ac. will play next round against strong Barsy Atyrau trying to get back on the winning streak. Tobol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bitenov 28+3reb+4ast, A.Bykov 18+12reb+3ast, D.Flannigan 17+6reb+5ast, P.Ilyin 14+3reb+3ast, K.Dvirnyi 13+2reb, V.Petrishinets 9+2reb+4ast
Astana Ac.: M.Sarsengaliev 18+5reb+5ast, Z.Medovskoy 16+3reb+3ast, A.Suleimenov 12+4reb+3ast, V.Simonov 10+2reb+1ast, A.Zhandarbek 5+1reb+2ast, I.Pestov 3+6reb+5ast

Tobol - Astana Ac. 112-73

Rather predictable result in Kostanay where second ranked Tobol (16-4) smashed 6th ranked Astana Ac. (7-13) 112-73 on Saturday. Tobol dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Astana Ac.'s 32 and made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Tobol shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 39 assists comparing to just 23 passes made by Astana Ac.'s players. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Shaim Kuanov (181-1991) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 assists. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Tobol players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) who recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and the former international point guard Magzhan Sarsengaliev (187-2002) added 16 points and 7 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Tobol. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Astana Ac. keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. Tobol will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Astana Ac. will play against Barsy Atyrau (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bitenov 25+4ast, S.Kuanov 16+4reb+10ast, A.Bykov 15+9reb+6ast, P.Ilyin 12+5reb+6ast, V.Petrishinets 11+1reb+2ast, D.Sulatanov 11+1reb+1ast
Astana Ac.: A.Suleimenov 17+7reb+6ast, Z.Medovskoy 16+2reb+1ast, M.Sarsengaliev 16+3reb+7ast, A.Ydyryszhan 8+1reb+2ast, A.Zhandarbek 7+1reb, I.Pestov 6+6reb+2ast