TBL Round 9: Wave edge Devil Rays by three points

Morakinyo Williams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Devil Rays (5-4) to second ranked Wave (7-2) 96-93 on Sunday evening. Wave had a 43-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was British center Morakinyo Williams (209-1988, college: Citadel) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 14 rebounds. American center Raymond Miller (204-1988, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 22 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international Toby Sathitsumpan (182-2001) who recorded 34 points (!!!). Wave have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Wave maintains second place with 7-2 record behind leader Tigers. Defending champion Devil Rays keep the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Pythons.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Bangkok. First ranked Tigers faced 3rd placed SWU. Host Tigers (8-1) smashed guests from (6-3) 118-92. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of SWU. It was a good game for Nattapat Biasumrit who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds. Takamin Sirijariyaporn contributed with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 8 steals for the winners. Tigers' coach Chakrapan Chuithaisong felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ukrainian swingman Sergii Pryimak (204-1996, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 23 rebounds and 4 assists for SWU. Tigers maintains first place with 8-1 record. SWU at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with T-REX.
Bottom-ranked Kings (0-9) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 105-52 loss to sixth ranked Pythons (5-4) in on Sunday evening. Zhong Han Wong stepped up and scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Justin Nixon with 18 points and 7 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. Pythons moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Devil Rays. Kings at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with nine games lost.

In the last game of round 9 T-REX crushed Mammoth in Nakhon Ratchasima 145-96.
The best stats of 9th round was 23 points and 6 rebounds by Brian Garrett of Pythons.