MBL Round 16 (Regular Season): Knights lose to Apes

The Regular Season in MBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Coincidentally all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Knights (15-5) recorded its fifth loss in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Apes (14-8) 81-77. Apes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-8 record behind leader Knights. Knights at the other side still keep top place with five games lost. Apes are looking forward to face Darkhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Knights will play against Brothers (#5) and are hoping to win this game.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Ulaanbaatar: Apes (#3) and Broncos (#2). Broncos were defeated at home 61-68 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Broncos. Apes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-8 record behind leader Knights. Defending champion Xac Broncos keep the second place with five games lost. Apes will play against Darkhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Xac Broncos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ulaanbaatar Mongolians.
Leader Knights delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Metal (6-14) 81-74 in Ulaanbaatar. Knights maintains first position with 15-5 record. Metal lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Knights will meet at home Brothers (#5) in the next round. Metal will play against Darkhan (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 16 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Xac Broncos defeated Darkhan in Ulaanbaatar 106-97. Falcons were beaten by Brothers at home 83-90. Falcons won against Metal on the opponent's court 79-74.



Darkhan - Xac Broncos 97-106

There was no surprise in Darkhan where 8th ranked United (7-11) was defeated by second ranked Broncos (14-5) 106-97 on Saturday. Defending champion maintains second position with 14-5 record behind leader Knights. Loser United keeps the eighth place with 11 games lost. Xac Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ulaanbaatar Mongolians.

Metal - Knights 74-81

Leader Knights delivered the fifteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Metal (6-14) 81-74 in Ulaanbaatar. Knights maintains first position with 15-5 record. Metal lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Knights will meet at home Brothers (#5) in the next round. Metal will play against Darkhan (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Falcons - Brothers 83-90

There was a small surprise in Khovd where sixth ranked Brothers (9-10) defeated their close opponent Falcons (9-10) 90-83 on Sunday. Brothers moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Falcons. Brothers will meet league's leader Knights in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Falcons will have a break next round.

Xac Broncos - Apes 61-68

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Ulaanbaatar: Apes (#3) and Broncos (#2). Broncos were defeated at home 61-68 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Broncos. Apes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-8 record behind leader Knights. Defending champion Xac Broncos keep the second place with five games lost. Apes will play against Darkhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Xac Broncos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ulaanbaatar Mongolians.

Metal - Falcons 74-79

Rather expected game in Ulaanbaatar where 9th ranked Metal (6-14) was defeated by sixth ranked Falcons (9-10) 79-74 on Tuesday. Falcons moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Brothers. Metal lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 14 games lost. Falcons will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Metal will play against Darkhan (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Knights - Apes 77-81

Top ranked Knights (15-5) recorded its fifth loss in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Apes (14-8) 81-77. Apes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-8 record behind leader Knights. Knights at the other side still keep top place with five games lost. Apes are looking forward to face Darkhan (#8) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Knights will play against Brothers (#5) and are hoping to win this game.