KBL Round 18 (Regular Season): Seoul Knights defeat LG Sakers

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Sakers (15-6) in Seoul on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by fifth ranked Knights (12-10) 77-55. Strangely LG Sakers outrebounded Seoul Knights 43-26 including a 20-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) who led his team to a victory with 14 points and 8 assists. contributed with 20 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for LG Sakers. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Seoul Knights maintains fifth position with 12-10 record. Defending champion LG Sakers still keep top place with six games lost. Seoul Knights are looking forward to face Suwon KT (#6) in Busan in the next round. LG Sakers will play on the road against Sono SG (#8) in Daegu and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Wonju. Third ranked Wonju DB (12-9) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Knights (12-10) 65-63 in the fight for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Knights. American guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) scored 18 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and SangJae Kang chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Wonju DB went down to fourth position due to points difference. Seoul Knights at the other side keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Wonju DB will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Seoul Knights will play on the road against Suwon KT (#6) in Busan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Anyang (13-8) against sixth ranked Sonicboom (11-11) on Friday night. Visiting Anyang was crushed by Sonicboom in Busan 89-69. Derrick Williams notched 16 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 22 points and 5 assists by Jihoon Park did not help to save the game for Anyang. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suwon KT maintains sixth position with 11-11 record. Loser Anyang keeps the second place with eight games lost. Suwon KT will meet Sono SG (#8) in the next round. Anyang will play against KCC Egis (#3) in Busan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Seoul Thunders were beaten by Daegu on the road 80-76. Daegu won against Wonju DB on its own court 81-77. Seoul Thunders outscored Mobis Phoebus in a road game 84-61.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by Kerem Kanter of Seoul Thunders.



Daegu - Seoul Thunders 80-76

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when ninth ranked Daegu (7-14) beat 8th ranked Samsung Thunders (9-12) in Incheon 80-76 on Wednesday. Daegu looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international forward Ricardo Ratliffe (203-1989, college: Missouri) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) supported him with 15 points and 9 assists. Four Daegu players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds by Canadian Andrew Nicholson (206-1989, college: St.Bonaventure) did not help to save the game for Seoul Thunders. added 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Daegu maintains ninth position with 7-14 record, which they share with Mobis Phoebus. Loser Samsung Thunders dropped to the seventh place with 12 games lost. Daegu will meet at home bottom-ranked Mobis Phoebus (#10) in the next round. Seoul Thunders will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Seoul Thunders: A.Nicholson 24+12reb+1ast, L.Kwan-hee 14, G.Geunhwi 9+2reb+1ast, L.Dae-Sung 6+1reb+3ast, L.Weon-Seok 6+8reb, L.Kyutae 5+6reb
Daegu: R.Ricardo 21+12reb+4ast, P.Nick 16+4reb+2ast, B.Samjosef 15+3reb+9ast, S.Shin 12+4reb+1ast, J.Kim 6+6reb+2ast, W.Yang 6+1reb+1ast

Wonju DB - Seoul Knights 65-63

Important game to mention about took place in Wonju. Third ranked Wonju DB (12-9) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Knights (12-10) 65-63 in the fight for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Knights. American guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) scored 18 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and SangJae Kang chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Alvano is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) with 16 points and 7 rebounds and Arvin Tolentino scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Wonju DB went down to fourth position due to points difference. Seoul Knights at the other side keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Wonju DB will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Seoul Knights will play on the road against Suwon KT (#6) in Busan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Seoul Knights: J.Warney 16+7reb+3ast, T.Arvin 15+6reb+1ast, A.Youngjun 13+5reb+1ast, K.Hyung-Bin 7+1reb, O.Sek-Eun 6+1reb, D.Monroe 4+1reb+3ast
Wonju DB: A.Ethan 18+4reb+5ast, E.Henry 15+7reb+1ast, S.Kang 11+11reb+3ast, M.Essam 8+7reb+1ast, J.Hyo-Geun 4+7reb+1ast, H.Kim 3+1reb+1ast

Suwon KT - Anyang 89-69

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Anyang (13-8) against sixth ranked Sonicboom (11-11) on Friday night. Visiting Anyang was crushed by Sonicboom in Busan 89-69. Suwon KT made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. American forward Derrick Williams (203-1991, college: Arizona) notched 16 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international forward Jeonghyeon Moon (195-2001) supported him with 15 points and 5 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Five Sonicboom players scored in double figures. Even 22 points and 5 assists by the former international forward Ricardo Ratliffe (203-1989, college: Missouri) did not help to save the game for Anyang. Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) added 13 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suwon KT maintains sixth position with 11-11 record. Loser Anyang keeps the second place with eight games lost. Suwon KT will meet Sono SG (#8) in the next round. Anyang will play against KCC Egis (#3) in Busan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Anyang: P.Jihoon 22+3reb+5ast, K.Kyungwon 13+8reb, B.Junhyeong 12+1reb+3ast, H.Seunghui 9+2reb, J.O'Bryant III 8+3reb+4ast, K.Young-Hyun 3+1reb+1ast
Suwon KT: W.Derrick 16+7reb+2ast, H.Isaiah 15+3reb+1ast, M.Jeonghyeon 15+5reb+2ast, P.Jun-Young 11+5reb+4ast, C.Jung 10+3ast, S.Kang 10+4reb+3ast

Daegu - Wonju DB 81-77

There was an upset when higher ranked Wonju DB (12-9) lost to ninth ranked Daegu (7-14) in Incheon 77-81 on Saturday. Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) notched 26 points and 8 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Ricardo Ratliffe (203-1989, college: Missouri) supported him with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Even 28 points and 5 assists by American guard Ethan Alvano (185-1996, college: CSUSM) did not help to save the game for Wonju DB. His fellow American import center Henry Ellenson (208-1997, college: Marquette) added 14 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Daegu maintains ninth position with 7-14 record, which they share with Mobis Phoebus. Loser Wonju DB dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. Daegu will meet at home bottom-ranked Mobis Phoebus (#10) in the next round. Wonju DB will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Wonju DB: E.Alvano 28+2reb+5ast, H.Ellenson 14+6reb+3ast, H.Jeong 14+6reb+2ast, K.SangJae 9+2reb+2ast, E.Mostafa 4+4reb+2ast, L.Yongwoo 3+1reb
Daegu: B.Samjosef 26+4reb+8ast, R.Ricardo 19+12reb+2ast, S.Shin 13+4reb+6ast, J.Kim 6+4reb+1ast, M.Kim 6+3reb, P.Nick 4+1ast

Seoul Knights - LG Sakers 77-55

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Sakers (15-6) in Seoul on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by fifth ranked Knights (12-10) 77-55. Strangely LG Sakers outrebounded Seoul Knights 43-26 including a 20-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American center Jameel Warney (203-1994, college: Stony Brook) who led his team to a victory with 14 points and 8 assists. Youngjun An contributed with 20 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Egyptian center Assem Marei (206-1992, college: MSU) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and Hongseok Yang added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for LG Sakers. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Seoul Knights maintains fifth position with 12-10 record. Defending champion LG Sakers still keep top place with six games lost. Seoul Knights are looking forward to face Suwon KT (#6) in Busan in the next round. LG Sakers will play on the road against Sono SG (#8) in Daegu and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
LG Sakers: Y.Hongseok 12+6reb+3ast, A.Marei 12+12reb+4ast, T.Carl 10+4reb+3ast, J.In-Deok 7+4reb, Y.Junseok 5+3ast, Y.Wonsang 5+1reb
Seoul Knights: Y.An 20+3reb+2ast, N.Kim 19+5reb+1ast, W.Jameel 14+4reb+8ast, A.Tolentino 7+2reb, S.An 6+1reb, K.Moon 3+1reb

Mobis Phoebus - Seoul Thunders 61-84

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Samsung Thunders (9-12) rolled over bottom-ranked Mobis Phoebus (7-14) in Ulsan 84-61 on Saturday. Seoul Thunders outrebounded Mobis Phoebus 45-25 including a 36-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Seoul Thunders especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 66.7 percentage. Turkish power forward Kerem Kanter (208-1995, college: Xavier) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Canadian Andrew Nicholson (206-1989, college: St.Bonaventure) supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Even 18 points and 5 assists by Filipino guard Samjosef Belangel (177-1999) did not help to save the game for Mobis Phoebus. American center Rayshaun Hammonds (206-1998, college: Georgia) added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Seoul Thunders moved-up to seventh place. Mobis Phoebus lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. They share it with Daegu. Seoul Thunders will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Mobis Phoebus will play against Daegu (#9) in Incheon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mobis Phoebus: S.Myeong-jin 18+1reb+5ast, R.Hammonds 17+6reb+1ast, L.Seounghyun 10+8reb+1ast, K.Geon-ha 7+3ast, C.Kang-Mim 4+3reb+1ast, P.Moobeen 3+2reb+1ast
Seoul Thunders: N.Andrew 20+7reb+1ast, K.Kerem 18+11reb+5ast, K.Lee 9+3reb+1ast, G.Geun-Hwi 9+2ast, H.Han-jin 9+7reb+1ast, W.Lee 6+7reb+1ast