Portugal – LPB Round 12: Vitoria SC defeats Benfica in the closest game of the week

NebojsaDukic The most exciting game of round 12 in the LPB took place in Guimaraes. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-best Benfica (9-3) to fourth ranked Vitoria SC (8-4) 68-65 on Saturday evening. Benfica was trailing by 5 points at halftime but managed to get 2-point lead after three quarters before a 21-16 charge of Vitoria SC, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 20 Benfica turnovers. Strangely Benfica outrebounded Vitoria SC 34-22 including a 28-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian-Hungarian power forward Nebojsa Dukic (206-88, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Andrew Ferry (190-90, college: Cornell) who added 13 points and 7 assists during the contest. Vitoria SC’s coach Fernando Sa used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American-Hungarian forward Damian Hollis (203-88, college: G.Washington) with 21 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Vitoria SC have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 8-4 record, which they share with Oliveirense. Benfica at the other side dropped to the third place with three games lost. Vitoria SC is looking forward to face Lusitania (#10) in Angra in the next round where they are favorite. Benfica will play at home against the league’s leader FC Porto Ferpinta (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. LPB top team – FC Porto Ferpinta (10-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Electrico FC (3-9) 97-76. The winners were led by American center Nick Washburn (208-91, college: Hillsdale, agency: Duran International) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and Jose Silva supported him with 18 points. FC Porto Ferpinta’s coach Moncho Lopez felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 20 points, 7 assists and 4 steals by international point guard Diogo Ventura (193-94, agency: Dynamics Global Management) did not help to save the game for Electrico FC. FC Porto Ferpinta have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 10-2 record, which they share with Galitos-Barreiro. Electrico FC lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Lusitania. FC Porto Ferpinta will play against Benfica (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Electrico FC will play against Ovarense (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game in Ovarense was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Illiabum (7-5) played at the court of 7th ranked Ovarense (5-7). Illiabum defeated Ovarense 84-73 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Chris Johnson who scored 21 points. Illiabum’s coach Ricardo Vasconcelos allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Nick Novak who recorded 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Newly promoted Illiabum maintains sixth position with 7-5 record. Loser Ovarense dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. Illiabum will meet at home Maia Basket (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Ovarense will play against Electrico FC in Ponte de Sor and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Eighth ranked CAB Madeira (6-6) crushed at home 12th ranked Sampaense (1-11) by 33 points 104-71, which is the biggest margin this round. It was a good game for Arvydas Gydra who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 9 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. CAB Madeira moved-up to seventh place. Sampaense lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost. CAB Madeira’s next round opponent will be higher ranked Oliveirense (#5) in Oliveira and it may be quite challenging game. Sampaense will play at home against the league’s second-placed Galitos-Barreiro (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either. In the last two games of round 12 Lusitania lost to Galitos-Barreiro on the opponent’s court 77-89. Maia Basket unfortunately lost to Oliveirense in a home game 70-76. Vitoria SC – Benfica 68-65The most exciting game of round 12 in the LPB took place in Guimaraes. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-best Benfica (9-3) to fourth ranked Vitoria SC (8-4) 68-65 on Saturday evening. Benfica was trailing by 5 points at halftime but managed to get 2-point lead after three quarters before a 21-16 charge of Vitoria SC, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 20 Benfica turnovers. Strangely Benfica outrebounded Vitoria SC 34-22 including a 28-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian-Hungarian power forward Nebojsa Dukic (206-88, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Andrew Ferry (190-90, college: Cornell) who added 13 points and 7 assists during the contest. Vitoria SC’s coach Fernando Sa used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American-Hungarian forward Damian Hollis (203-88, college: G.Washington) with 21 points and 9 rebounds …

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