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Portugal – LPB Round 9: Illiabum defeats CAB Madeira in the closest game of the week
- Updated: December 5, 2016
ChrisJohnson There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with favorites losing the games, games ending by tiny margin and even winless team recording their first victory.The most exciting game of round 9 in the LPB took place in Funchal. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 7th ranked CAB Madeira (4-5) to sixth ranked Illiabum (6-3) 71-70 on Saturday evening. CAB Madeira was trailing by 2 points at halftime but managed to get 9-point lead after three quarters before a 18-8 charge of Illiabum, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 19 CAB Madeira turnovers. Canadian swingman Chris Johnson (196-88, college: St.Bonaventure) stepped up and scored 26 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Serbian power forward Nikola Tadic (206-88) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Illiabum’s coach Ricardo Vasconcelos used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American guard Alex Marzette (196-93, college: Robert Morris) with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Illiabum moved-up to fourth place. CAB Madeira lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Ovarense. Illiabum are looking forward to face league’s second-placed FC Porto Ferpinta on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. CAB Madeira will play against Lusitania (#10) in Angra and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series. Important game to mention about took place in Porto. Third ranked FC Porto Ferpinta (7-2) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Oliveirense (5-4) 68-66 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Oliveirense. American center Nick Washburn (208-91, college: Hillsdale, agency: Duran International) nailed a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and Pedro Bastos accounted for 15 points and 6 assists. American forward James Ellisor (195-90, college: Bemidji St.) came up with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Oliveirense in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. FC Porto Ferpinta have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Galitos-Barreiro. Oliveirense at the other side keeps the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Vitoria SC. FC Porto Ferpinta will play against Illiabum (#4) in Ilhavo in the next round. Oliveirense will play on the road against Sampaense in Coimbra and hopes to get back on the winning track. Vitoria SC (#5) was upset in Guimaraes by eighth ranked Ovarense 103-97. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Vitoria SC. The best player for the winners was Nick Novak who scored 30 points and 4 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). At the other side the best for losing team was Andrew Ferry who recorded 22 points and 5 assists. Ovarense (4-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with CAB Madeira. Loser Vitoria SC keeps the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Oliveirense. Ovarense will meet at home Maia Basket (#11) in the next round. Vitoria SC will play against Electrico FC (#9) and hope to secure a win. Sampaense has finally registered their first victory this season after eight consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Ponte de Sor, where they defeated Electrico FC (3-6) 79-75. It was a good game for Nikola Pavlovic who led his team to a victory with 27 points and 5 rebounds. Newly promoted Sampaense maintains twelfth place with 1-8 record. Electrico FC at the other side dropped to the ninth position with six games lost. Sampaense’s next round opponent will be higher ranked Oliveirense (#6) in Oliveira and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. LPB top team – Benfica (8-1) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat tenth ranked Lusitania (2-7) in Angra 91-82. Carlos Morais stepped up and scored 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Benfica maintains first place with 8-1 record. Lusitania lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with seven games lost. Benfica will face Galitos-Barreiro (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Lusitania will play against CAB Madeira (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. In the last game of round 9 Galitos-Barreiro won against Maia Basket on the opponent’s court 75-74. The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points and 6 rebounds by Nuno Marcal of Maia Basket.FC Porto – Oliveirense 68-66Important game to mention about took place in Porto. Third ranked FC Porto Ferpinta (7-2) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Oliveirense (5-4) 68-66 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Oliveirense. The hosts were ahead by 7 points but lost the second period ending it with a 5-point deficit before their 19-12 run, which allowed them to win the game. American center Nick Washburn (208-91, college: Hillsdale, agency: Duran International) nailed a double-double by scoring 11 points …
