National League Round 17 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fifth defeat of league's leader Tobol (17-5) against third ranked Almaty L. (13-6) 88-72 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Tobol. Almaty L. forced 19 Tobol turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. International guard Stanislav Sakhipov (190-2002) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 6 assists. International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) contributed with 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds for Tobol. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Almaty L. maintains third place with 13-6 record having six points less than leader Irbis. Tobol at the other side dropped to the second position with five games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Irbis. Tobol will play next round against strong Barsy Atyrau trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Almaty L. will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Aktobe at home.
Important game to mention about took place in Almaty. First ranked Tobol (17-5) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Almaty L. (13-6) 101-98 in the game for the second place. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and Konstantin Dvirnyi chipped in 15 points. International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) responded with 26 points and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Almaty L.'s coach Iakov Fokin tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tobol have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Despite that victory Tobol went down to second position due to points difference. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with six games lost. Tobol will play against Barsy Atyrau (#4) on the road in the next round. Almaty L. will play against Aktobe and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Aktau was also quite interesting. Second ranked Irbis (17-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Caspiy Aktau (10-14). Irbis defeated Caspiy Aktau 94-81 on Monday. Alphonso Willis nailed a triple-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists and 5 steals for the winning side. Cameron Campbell came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds for Caspiy Aktau in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Irbis. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Caspiy Aktau keeps the fifth place with 14 games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Caspiy Aktau will play against Irtysh (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 17: Astana Ac. was smashed by Barsy Atyrau on the road 95-64. Barsy Atyrau won against Astana Ac. on its own court 90-79. Irbis managed to outperform Caspiy Aktau in Almaty 74-61.



Barsy Atyrau - Astana Ac. 95-64

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau (13-9) crushed at home 6th ranked Astana Ac. (9-15) 95-64 on Saturday. Barsy Atyrau forced 22 Astana Ac. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American guard Aamer Muhammad (185-2001, college: Troy) nailed 19 points for the winning side and forward Abat Marat (180-2005) accounted for 15 points and 7 assists. Guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) came up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Abylaikhan Zhandarbek (-2006) added 9 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Astana Ac. 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. Barsy Atyrau maintains fourth place with 13-9 record. Loser Astana Ac. keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. Barsy Atyrau will meet at home league's second-placed Tobol in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astana Ac. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: A.Suleimenov 14+6reb+6ast, I.Pestov 13+3reb+1ast, S.Abashidze 11+5reb+3ast, A.Zhandarbek 9+10reb+2ast, V.Simonov 8+1reb, A.Amangeldinov 3+4ast
Barsy Atyrau: A.Muhammad 19+3reb+3ast, A.Marat 15+1reb+7ast, A.Ridley III 14+2reb+1ast, K.Charleston 8+4reb+1ast, A.Omarov 7+7reb+5ast, T.Tangiev 6+2reb

Almaty L. - Tobol 98-101

Important game to mention about took place in Almaty. First ranked Tobol (17-5) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Almaty L. (13-6) 101-98 in the game for the second place. Tobol made 20-of-25 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Almaty L. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and the former international swingman Konstantin Dvirnyi (192-1988) chipped in 15 points. International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) responded with 26 points and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and the former international center Daniel Albrant (205-1998) scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Almaty L.'s coach Iakov Fokin tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tobol have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Despite that victory Tobol went down to second position due to points difference. Almaty L. at the other side keeps the third place with six games lost. Tobol will play against Barsy Atyrau (#4) on the road in the next round. Almaty L. will play against Aktobe and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Almaty L.: D.Severgin 26+1reb+7ast, D.Albrant 21+6reb+1ast, N.Fedchenko 15+3reb+1ast, S.Sakhipov 11+5reb+2ast, D.Sviridov 10+2reb, D.Kalymbetov 5+2reb+2ast
Tobol: A.Bykov 29+11reb+1ast, V.Petrishinets 16+4reb, K.Dvirnyi 15+4reb+2ast, A.Bitenov 13+3reb+2ast, P.Ilyin 9+5reb+2ast, D.Flannigan 7+6reb

Barsy Atyrau - Astana Ac. 90-79

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Astana Ac. (9-15) lost on the road to fourth ranked Barsy Atyrau (13-9) 90-79 on Sunday. Barsy Atyrau looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. American forward Aaron Ridley III (197, college: Cumberland) nailed 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Aamer Muhammad (185-2001, college: Troy) accounted for 26 points. Barsy Atyrau's coach Alexandr Lyssyak used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Ilya Pestov (204-2007) came up with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Amirali Suleimenov (192-2003) added 14 points and 5 assists respectively for Astana Ac. in the defeat. Four Astana Ac. players scored in double figures. Barsy Atyrau maintains fourth place with 13-9 record. Loser Astana Ac. keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. Barsy Atyrau will meet at home league's second-placed Tobol in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Astana Ac. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Astana Ac.: I.Pestov 17+6reb+5ast, Z.Medovskoy 15+2reb+3ast, A.Suleimenov 14+3reb+5ast, V.Simonov 13+4reb+3ast, A.Amangeldinov 7+1ast, A.Zhandarbek 7+8reb+2ast
Barsy Atyrau: A.Muhammad 26+1reb+3ast, A.Ridley III 21+6reb+5ast, R.Samsin 11+4reb+3ast, A.Omarov 9+5reb+4ast, A.Marat 8+2reb+6ast, K.Charleston 6+11reb+5ast

Almaty L. - Tobol 88-72

Fifth defeat of league's leader Tobol (17-5) against third ranked Almaty L. (13-6) 88-72 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Tobol. Almaty L. forced 19 Tobol turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. International guard Stanislav Sakhipov (190-2002) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 6 assists. International point guard Daniil Severgin (183-2005) contributed with 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Anton Bykov (200-1989) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds and forward Vassiliy Petrishinets (198-1989) added 11 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Tobol. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Almaty L. maintains third place with 13-6 record having six points less than leader Irbis. Tobol at the other side dropped to the second position with five games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Irbis. Tobol will play next round against strong Barsy Atyrau trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Almaty L. will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Aktobe at home.
Top scorers:
Tobol: A.Bykov 17+6reb, V.Petrishinets 11+6reb+2ast, S.Kuanov 10+1reb+7ast, K.Dvirnyi 8+2reb, P.Ilyin 6+3reb+1ast, R.Valiyev 6+2reb+1ast
Almaty L.: S.Sakhipov 16+3reb+6ast, D.Severgin 12+5reb+3ast, N.Fedchenko 11+2reb+2ast, D.Albrant 11+4reb, N.Timofeev 9+6reb+3ast, K.Tabb 9+3reb+7ast

Caspiy Aktau - Irbis 81-94

The game in Aktau was also quite interesting. Second ranked Irbis (17-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Caspiy Aktau (10-14). Irbis defeated Caspiy Aktau 94-81 on Monday. Irbis looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American guard Alphonso Willis (188-1998, college: A&M-Commerce, agency: Highlight Athletes) nailed a triple-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists and 5 steals for the winning side and the former international forward Nikolay Bazhin (198-1990) accounted for 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Cameron Campbell (193, college: WSSU) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import power forward LaDarius Marshall (201-1999, college: Alcorn St.) added 11 points and 4 assists respectively for Caspiy Aktau in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Irbis. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Caspiy Aktau keeps the fifth place with 14 games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Caspiy Aktau will play against Irtysh (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Caspiy Aktau: C.Campbell 22+5reb+3ast, R.Marchuk 12+3reb+3ast, L.Marshall 11+4reb+4ast, Z.Dzhakauov 10+1reb+7ast, K.Neff 10+3reb+4ast, M.Marchuk 6+5reb+4ast
Irbis: V.Kupenkov 20+1reb+1ast, A.Zhigulin 14+4reb+1ast, D.Gavrilov 13+4reb+2ast, A.Willis 12+12reb+14ast, N.Bazhin 12+7reb+4ast, M.Douglas 9+1reb+2ast

Caspiy Aktau - Irbis 61-74

Rather predictable result when second ranked Irbis (17-4) won against on the road 5th ranked Caspiy Aktau (10-14) 74-61 on Tuesday. Irbis forced 24 Caspiy Aktau turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American guard Alphonso Willis (188-1998, college: A&M-Commerce, agency: Highlight Athletes) nailed a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and the former international center Dmitriy Gavrilov (204-1986) accounted for 16 points and 8 rebounds. Five Irbis players scored in double figures. Irbis' coach Ramunas Cvirka used entire bench saving starting five for next games. American point guard Cameron Campbell (193, college: WSSU) came up with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international forward Roman Marchuk (198-1993) added 17 points respectively for Caspiy Aktau in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Irbis. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Caspiy Aktau keeps the fifth place with 14 games lost. Irbis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Caspiy Aktau will play against Irtysh (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Caspiy Aktau: C.Campbell 19+7reb+8ast, R.Marchuk 17+4reb, K.Neff 12+7reb+2ast, Z.Dzhakauov 5+3reb+4ast, L.Marshall 4+9reb+2ast, A.Rolgeyzer 2+1ast
Irbis: D.Gavrilov 16+8reb+1ast, A.Kozyrkin 13+6ast, M.Douglas 12+3reb, N.Bazhin 10+7reb+3ast, A.Willis 10+12reb+5ast, A.Zhigulin 4+2reb+1ast