Round 11 (Regular Season): Al Riyadi lose to Astana

West Asia Super League is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 11 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Lebanese Al Riyadi (2-1) in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Kazakhstan Astana (2-1) 86-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Astana looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Al Riyadi's players. The best player for the winners was center Robert Pan (202-1995) who scored 21 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Lithuanian guard Adas Juskevicius (194-1989, agency: Alti Sport) chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Astana's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) produced 23 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Astana keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi and Kuwait. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Lebanese Sagesse can celebrate finally their first win this season after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Damascus, where they defeated Syrian Al Wahda (0-3) 75-69. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Kevin Murphy contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) answered with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for Al Wahda. Al Wahda's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. It was the only win of guest team this round and in all other games host teams recorded victories. Sagesse (1-3) left bottom position moving up to fourth place. It was Al Wahda's third loss in a row. Defending Syrian champion still closes the standings with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Astana - Al Riyadi 86-72

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Lebanese Al Riyadi (2-1) in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Kazakhstan Astana (2-1) 86-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Astana looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Al Riyadi's players. The best player for the winners was center Robert Pan (202-1995) who scored 21 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Lithuanian guard Adas Juskevicius (194-1989, agency: Alti Sport) chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Astana's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) produced 23 points and 7 rebounds and Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) added 14 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Astana keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi and Kuwait. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: M.Kemp 23+7reb, I.Buva 14+9reb+1ast, H.Gyokchyan 11+3reb+2ast, P.Buford 10+4reb+7ast, A.Saoud 6+1reb+1ast, A.Mansour 6+4reb+2ast
Astana: P.Robert 21+9reb+2ast, Z.Alexander 13+5reb+5ast, V.Chsherbak 13+2reb+2ast, D.EJ 11+2reb+10ast, J.Adas 8+8reb+8ast, R.Aitkali 8+2reb+1ast

Al Wahda - Sagesse 69-75

Lebanese Sagesse can celebrate finally their first win this season after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Damascus, where they defeated Syrian Al Wahda (0-3) 75-69. Strangely Al Wahda outrebounded Sagesse 50-37 including 18 on the offensive glass. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. James Justice (178-1989, college: UT Southern) answered with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and Falando Jones (193-1990, college: MVSU) added 15 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Al Wahda. Al Wahda's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. It was the only win of guest team this round and in all other games host teams recorded victories. Sagesse (1-3) left bottom position moving up to fourth place. It was Al Wahda's third loss in a row. Defending Syrian champion still closes the standings with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Wahda: J.Justice 19+7reb+7ast, F.Jones 15+5reb+1ast, M.Christian 8+7reb+1ast, P.Orizu 8+10reb, A.Mohamad 6+11reb+3ast, A.Hani 6+9reb+1ast
Sagesse: B.Paris 23+9reb+4ast, M.Kevin 19+7reb+2ast, H.Walter 14+3reb+1ast, H.Ali 9+11reb+2ast, H.Gerard 8+1reb, M.Khoueiry 2+2reb+3ast