Portugal – Proliga Round 7: Dragon Force keeps a leadership position in their group

Jose Costa Proliga is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 7 rounds left. The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with derby games and favorites losing the games.The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Dragon Force as it allowed them to take a leadership position in Group North. Dragon Force defeated 4th placed Ginasio in Porto 63-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ginasio. The hosts trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 63-59. Dragon Force forced 22 Ginasio turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Pedro Figueiredo (188-94) who helped to win the game recording 18 points. point guard Filipe Ferreira (180-96) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Dragon Force’s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international guard Jose Costa (187-73) answered with 18 points and 4 assists for Ginasio. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Vasco. Ginasio at the other side dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Academico FC. Ginasio will play next round against strong Academico FC trying to get back on the winning streak. Dragon Force will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Vasco. It will be extra interesting game as Vasco is their local rival from Porto. Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Lisboa: Benfica B (#4) and Academia (#7). Benfica B (4-3) crushed visiting Academia (2-5) by 29 points 89-60. It was a great evening for Serbian power forward Veljko Stankovic (199-97) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Ricardo Monteiro helped adding 19 points and 6 rebounds. Benfica B’s coach Joao Tavares felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side forward Carlos Tavares (194-84) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Benfica B moved-up to third place in Group South, which they share with Estoril Basket. Academia at the other side keeps the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Fisica. Benfica B’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Lisboa Belenenses CF. Very important is a home loss of third ranked Esgueira / Oli (4-3) against sixth ranked Academico FC (3-4) on Saturday night. Host Esgueira / Oli was defeated by Academico FC in Esgueira 54-37. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Esgueira / Oli. It was an exceptional evening for Rui Sousa who led the winners and scored 15 points. Bruno Fernando came up with 6 points and 9 rebounds for Esgueira / Oli in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Academico FC moved-up to fourth place in Group North, which they share with Ginasio. Loser Esgueira / Oli keeps the third position with three games lost. Academico FC will meet at home Ginasio (#5) in the next round. Esgueira / Oli will play against Sanjoanense and hope to secure a win. Very important is a road loss of second ranked Estoril Basket (4-3) against eighth ranked Belenenses CF (2-4) on Saturday night. Visiting Estoril Basket was defeated by Belenenses CF in a tough game in Lisboa 52-57. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Estoril Basket. Ricardo Rosa fired a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Estoril Basket’s coach Artur Cruz tried various players’ combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Belenenses CF moved-up to sixth place in Group South. Estoril Basket at the other side dropped to the third position with three games lost. Belenenses CF’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Lisboa to the arena Benfica B. Proliga top team – Barreirense (5-1) managed to deliver another win on Sunday. This time they beat sixth ranked Fisica (2-5) in Barreiro 93-80. It was a very good performance for Tiago Raimundo who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 rebounds. Barreirense maintains first place in Group South with 5-1 record. Newly promoted Fisica dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. Barreirense will face league’s second-placed Terceira in Angra Heroismo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fisica will play on the road against Angrabasket (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Other games in round 7 were not that significant. In Group North Vasco smashed Guifoes on the road 79-55. Sanjoanense won against Sangalhos on its own court 59-52. In Group South Terceira outscored Angra in Angra Heroismo 83-63. NorthDragon Force – Ginasio 63-59The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Dragon Force as it allowed them to take a leadership position in Group North. Dragon Force defeated 4th placed Ginasio in Porto 63-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ginasio. The hosts trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 63-59. Dragon Force forced 22 Ginasio turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Pedro Figueiredo (188-94) who helped to win the game recording 18 points. Point guard Filipe Ferreira (180-96) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Dragon Force’s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international guard Jose Costa (187-73) answered with 18 points and 4 assists and naturalized Cape Verdean forward Joaquim Soares (198-83) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Ginasio. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Vasco. Ginasio at the other side dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Academico FC. Ginasio will play next round against strong Academico FC trying …

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