Recap of Day 4 in Rades

Group A

ASS Sale - Interclube 81-78

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Angolan Interclube (3-1) against top-ranked Moroccan ASS Sale on Friday night. They were edged by ASS Sale 81-78. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Interclube. It was a key game for the top position in Group A. Interclube was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. ASS Sale dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Interclube's 36. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Power forward Abderrahim Najah (198-84) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Forward Abdelhakim Zouita (200-86) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four ASS Sale players scored in double figures. Center Miguel Kiala (204-90) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds and forward Paulo Barros (195-89) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Interclube's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. ASS Sale have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Moroccan champion maintains first position in Group A with 4-0 record. Interclube at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with ES Rades. ASS Sale are looking forward to face bottom-ranked ASB NG (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Interclube will play against the league's second-placed ES Rades and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
ASS Sale: S.Kourdou 20+5reb+1ast, A.Najah 17+10reb+1ast, A.Zouita 15+6reb+5ast, W.Arnold 12+1reb+3ast, Y.El Mahsini 8+4reb+4ast, Y.Baeri 6+2reb+2ast
Interclube: P.Barros 15+5reb+1ast, M.Kiala 12+14reb+2ast, P.Santana 9+2reb+2ast, H.Uhegwu 9+3reb+1ast, J.Jungo 9+4reb+2ast, D.Piedade 8+3reb

ASB NG - City Oilers 60-81

Another exciting game was between sixth ranked Ugandan City Oilers and bottom-ranked DR Congolese ASB NG where City Oilers (1-3) crushed ASB NG (0-4) with 21-point difference 81-60. The game was mostly controlled by City Oilers. ASB NG was better in second period 18-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Robinson Opong (190-89, college: Rogers St.) who helped to win the game recording 23 points. American Jordin Mayes (190-91, college: Arizona) contributed with 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. American power forward Jon Cathey-Macklin (206-91, college: Tarleton St.) replied with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and forward Emmanuel Isungu (197-95) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for ASB NG. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Ugandan champion left bottom position moving up to fourth place in Group A, which they share with Kano Pillars. It was ASB NG's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. City Oilers will play against Kano Pillars (#5) on the road in the next round. ASB NG will play against the league's leader ASS Sale and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
City Oilers: R.Opong 23+3reb, J.Mayes 16+2reb+4ast, S.Ocitti 11+7reb+2ast, J.Okello 8+7reb+1ast, L.Tillman 6+10reb, J.Enabu 6+3reb+2ast
ASB NG: E.Isungu 15+11reb, J.Cathey-Macklin 15+10reb+1ast, B.Kasongo 9+3ast, E.Mwamba 8+4reb, H.Lisimo 4+2reb, J.Samuna 3+2reb+1ast

Kano Pillars - ES Rades 75-97

Third ranked Tunisian ES Rades faced 4th ranked Nigerian Kano Pillars. Team from Rades (3-1) smashed Kano Pillars (1-3) 97-75. The game without a history. ES Rades led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Kano Pillars' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward AJ Matthews (216-89, college: Farmingdale St.) who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and Mourad El-Mabrouk (194-86) who added 15 points during the contest. Four ES Rades players scored in double figures. At the losing side forward Abdul Yahaya (203-90) responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds and forward Dele Ademola (199-89) scored 9 points and 14 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Tunisian champion moved-up to second place in Group A, which they share with Interclube. Defending Nigerian champion Kano Pillars keep the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with City Oilers. ES Rades will meet at home Interclube (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kano Pillars will play against City Oilers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
ES Rades: M.El Mabrouk 15+1reb+3ast, A.Matthews 14+7reb+2ast, M.Abbassi 12+4reb+3ast, A.Rzig 11+2reb+4ast, D.Salisbery 11+5reb+1ast, M.Hadidane 10+7reb+2ast
Kano Pillars: A.Yahaya 24+9reb+1ast, J.Williams 15+1reb, A.Dike 13+6reb+4ast, D.Ademola 9+14reb+2ast, C.Nwafor 4+7reb, I.Yusuf 4+4reb+1ast

Group B

US Monastir - Fer.Beira 73-69

There was no surprise when Mozambican Fer.Beira (2-2) was defeated by top-ranked Tunisian U.S. Monastir (4-0) 73-69 on Friday. They took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Fer.Beira won third quarter 24-15. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. American-Puerto Rican guard Kyle Vinales (185-92, college: Cent.Conn.St.) fired 23 points for the winners. DR Congolese power forward Evariste Shonganya (204-92, agency: Promotex) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds. Ukrainian center Maxim Ivshyn (209-86) produced 20 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Angelo Warner (188-92, college: Morehead St.) added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Four Fer.Beira players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. U.S. Monastir have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position in Group B with 4-0 record. Loser Fer.Beira dropped to the ninth place with two games lost. U.S. Monastir will face GS Petroliers (#8) in Alger in the next round. Fer.Beira will play on the road against Libolo in Libolo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
US Monastir: K.Vinales 23+3reb+2ast, E.Shonganya 14+13reb+1ast, N.Knioua 12+3reb+3ast, N.Jaziri 8+1reb+1ast, A.Trabelsi 5+1reb, F.Lahiani 4+5reb+5ast
Fer.Beira: M.Ivshyn 20+6reb, A.Warner 15+6reb+4ast, I.Nurmamad 13+6reb+5ast, H.Ubisse 10+14reb, E.Houana 6+4reb+4ast, A.Baptista 3

GS Petroliers - ASB Mazembe 101-92

Bottom-ranked DR Congolese ASB Mazembe (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 101-92 loss to eighth ranked Algerian GS Petroliers (3-1) on Friday evening. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But ASB Mazembe won third quarter 29-28. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. GS Petroliers forced 22 ASB Mazembe turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Forward Mohamed Harath (198-90) fired a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds for the winners. Guard Abderrahmane Mostefat (184-89) chipped in 11 points and 7 assists. GS Petroliers' coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Rolly Fula (198-93) produced 25 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Aubin Kasongo (192-86) added 22 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending Algerian champion maintains eighth position in Group B with 3-1 record. Loser ASB Mazembe still closes the standings with four games lost. GS Petroliers will face higher ranked U.S. Monastir (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. ASB Mazembe will play against Gombe B. (#11) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
GS Petroliers: M.Harath 34+11reb, M.Benzegala 14+3reb+2ast, A.Mostefat 11+2reb+7ast, N.Covington 10+4reb+1ast, A.Dekkiche 9+1reb+3ast, H.Gaham 8+4reb+5ast
ASB Mazembe: R.Fula 25+6reb, A.Kasongo 22+3reb+2ast, P.Makitu 10+3reb, M.Pitchou 10+5reb+1ast, G.Kizubanata 7+2reb, F.Maradi 7+7reb+5ast

Gombe B. - Libolo 75-67

Nigerian Gombe B. can celebrate their first win this season after three consecutive losses. They defeated Angolan Libolo (2-2) 75-67. They were ahead by 2 points but lost the second period ending it with a 1-point deficit before their 20-11 run, which allowed them to win the game. The winners were led by Yakubu Istifanus (201-89) who scored that evening 19 points and Ibe-Abuchi Agwu (-97) supported him with 15 points. Four Gombe B. players scored in double figures. Even 11 points and 8 rebounds by American-Angolan Reggie Moore (203-81, college: ORU) did not help to save the game for Libolo. Forward Olimpio Cipriano (194-82) added 13 points for lost side. Libolo's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Gombe B. (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place in Group B. Defending Angolan champion Libolo dropped to the tenth position with two games lost. Gombe B.'s next round opponent will be ASB Mazembe (#12).
Top scorers:
Gombe B.: Y.Istifanus 19+3reb+3ast, I.Abuchi Agwu 15+4reb+2ast, D.Godwin 10+3reb, A.Yakubu 10+2reb+1ast, C.Njoku 9+7reb, K.Gar 4+2reb+3ast
Libolo: O.Cipriano 13+4reb, R.Moore 11+8reb, J.Foster 9+2reb+3ast, P.Bastos 8+1reb+1ast, A.Harris 8+4reb+4ast, M.Barros 7+3reb+1ast