LBL Round 8 of Regular Season

What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise of round 8 was guest Mayrouba's (4-4) road victory over Al Markaziyyah (#8) 97-88 on Sunday evening. Mayrouba shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mayrouba made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) who had a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. American point guard Roddy Peters (193-1995, college: Nicholls, agency: Starting 5) chipped in 17 points and 13 assists. American guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) produced 31 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Mayrouba moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Al Markaziyyah dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Mayrouba are looking forward to face Hoops (#10) in Beirut in the next round where they are favorite. Al Markaziyyah will play against NSA (#12) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Bottom-ranked NSA (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 81-71 loss to top-ranked Sagesse (8-0) in . But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Omar Jamaleddine contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) replied with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for NSA. Undefeated Sagesse have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. NSA at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
The game in Dik El Mehdi supposed to be also quite interesting. Top-ranked Al Riyadi (8-0) played at the court of 6th ranked Maristes (3-5). Al Riyadi smashed Maristes 114-77 on Tuesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maristes. Worth to mention a great performance of Wael Arakji who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 assists. AJ John responded with 20 points and 6 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. Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Sagesse. Loser Maristes keep the sixth place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Maristes will play against Homentmen (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 8 Hoops defeated Tadamon in Beirut 81-73. Homentmen was beaten by Antonine at home 84-101.
The best stats of 8th round was 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks by Ilimane Diop of Al Riyadi.



Tadamon - Hoops 73-81

Everything could happen in Hrajel at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Hoops and 11th ranked Tadamon had identical 1-6 record. But Tadamon was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Beirut 81-73 on Saturday night. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 9 rebounds and guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) who added 25 points during the contest. Guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with 25 points and 5 assists and guard Delano Spencer (193-1994, college: Tennessee St.) scored 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Tadamon's coach Ghassan Sarkis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hoops maintains tenth position with 2-6 record. Tadamon lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with seven games lost. Hoops will meet at home higher ranked Mayrouba (#5) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tadamon will play against Antonine (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: U.McLean 25+4reb+5ast, D.Spencer 19+5reb+5ast, A.Ekkewi 15+9reb+2ast, J.Nemer 5+3reb+3ast, J.Mikulic 3+1reb+1ast, M.Chouman 2+1reb
Hoops: A.English 25+4reb+3ast, D.Dixson 25+9reb+1ast, A.Sabbagh 12+2reb+2ast, J.Jarrouge 9+3reb+1ast, T.Akiki 4+2reb+2ast, A.Iyiola 4+14reb+1ast

NSA - Sagesse 71-81

Bottom-ranked NSA (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 81-71 loss to top-ranked Sagesse (8-0) in . But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. NSA was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. The former international guard Omar Jamaleddine (193-2000, college: SLC) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) replied with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Montenegrin center Vasilije Bacovic (208-1996, agency: BIG) added 10 points and 14 rebounds in the effort for NSA. Sagesse have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. NSA at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
NSA: D.Jean 18+7reb+6ast, T.Baxter Jr. 18+4reb+1ast, V.Bacovic 10+14reb+1ast, M.Haddad 9+2reb+1ast, K.Mechref 7+8reb+2ast, S.Alaeddine 7+4reb+1ast
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 17+6reb+8ast, O.Jamaleddine 16+7reb+1ast, A.Majok 16+6reb, S.Muhammad 10+6reb+1ast, J.Khalil 9+4reb+3ast, G.Hadidian 6+7reb+1ast

Al Markaziyyah - Mayrouba 88-97

The biggest surprise of round 8 was guest Mayrouba's (4-4) road victory over Al Markaziyyah (#8) 97-88 on Sunday evening. Mayrouba shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mayrouba made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) who had a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. American point guard Roddy Peters (193-1995, college: Nicholls, agency: Starting 5) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 assists. Five Mayrouba players scored in double figures. American guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) produced 31 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Tyree Corbett (201-2000, college: Denver) added 24 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Mayrouba moved-up to fifth place. Newly promoted Al Markaziyyah dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Mayrouba are looking forward to face Hoops (#10) in Beirut in the next round where they are favorite. Al Markaziyyah will play against NSA (#12) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 31+6reb+2ast, T.Corbett 24+11reb, A.Nabaa 15+4reb+2ast, K.Wooten Jr. 9+14reb+4ast, J.Zaloum 5+6reb+10ast, M.Hijazi 2+2reb+1ast
Mayrouba: A.Castillo 38+12reb+7ast, R.Peters 17+4reb+13ast, J.Padgett 16+9reb+2ast, A.Koubba 11+1reb+3ast, J.Nakhle 10+3reb, C.El-Hachem 3+3reb

Homentmen - Antonine 84-101

There was a small surprise in Beirut where ninth ranked Antonine (3-5) defeated 6th ranked Homentmen (3-5) 101-84 on Monday. Antonine dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Homentmen's 50. They outrebounded Homentmen 53-34 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Antonine looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 24 rebounds and the other American import point guard Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) who added 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists during the contest. New Zealand-Kenyan center Yuat Alok (211-1997, college: NM State) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and American forward DJ Kennedy (198-1989, college: St.John's) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. Five Antonine and four Homentmen players scored in double figures. Antonine moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Homentmen. Antonine will meet at home Tadamon (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Homentmen will play against Maristes (#7) in Dik El Mehdi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: D.Kennedy 24+10reb+1ast, Y.Alok 22+14reb+2ast, J.Stevens 16+4reb+6ast, G.Ajemian 12+1reb+3ast, G.Chivichyan 8+2reb+2ast, J.Soufan 2+1reb+2ast
Antonine: M.Watkins 27+24reb+1ast, K.Murphy 25+2reb+9ast, K.Roach II 19+11reb+10ast, P.Abboud 10+6reb+1ast, B.Mansour 10+1reb, A.Assi 8+2reb

Maristes - Al Riyadi 77-114

The game in Dik El Mehdi supposed to be also quite interesting. Top-ranked Al Riyadi (8-0) played at the court of 6th ranked Maristes (3-5). Al Riyadi smashed Maristes 114-77 on Tuesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maristes. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Maristes' 42. Al Riyadi shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 68.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 assists and the former international guard Amir Saoud (187-1991) who added 22 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) during the contest. American forward AJ John (202-1996, college: UC Davis, agency: MSG) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Joshua Gray (185-1993, college: LSU) scored 14 points and 5 assists. Five Al Riyadi and four Maristes players 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. Al Riyadi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Sagesse. Loser Maristes keep the sixth place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Maristes will play against Homentmen (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Maristes: A.John 20+6reb+1ast, J.Gray 14+4reb+5ast, K.Ezzeddine 12+3reb+5ast, R.Zanbaka 12+4reb+2ast, H.Sims 8+4reb+1ast, R.Massaad 6+1reb
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 22+1reb+2ast, W.Arakji 20+4reb+7ast, G.King 18+3reb+3ast, I.Diop 17+8reb, B.Tabbara 13+7reb+1ast, Y.Ghantous 6+1reb+1ast