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Sato triumphs in Italy
by Eurobasket News - Jun 13, 2008
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) together with his Montepaschi Siena is the best team in Italy as they celebrated their third title, the second in a row. Montepaschi completed a wonderful season beating Lottomatica Roma 92:81 for 4-1 in the Final series. Bootsy Thornton scored 17 points, Terrell McIntyre netted 16 and was nominated MVP of the finals. Romain Sato scored 10 with 8 rebounds and 4 assists to finish a great season in Italy.
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) together with his Montepaschi Siena is the best team in Italy as they celebrated their third title, the second in a row. Montepaschi completed a wonderful season beating Lottomatica Roma 92:81 for 4-1 in the Final series. Bootsy Thornton scored 17 points, Terrell McIntyre netted 16 and was nominated MVP of the finals. Romain Sato scored 10 with 8 rebounds and 4 assists to finish a great season in Italy.Roko Ukic paced Roma with 17 points, David Hawkins added 15, Rodrigo De la Fuente had 12 and Ibrahim Jaaber 10 in defeat. Montepaschi won the best-of-seven series 4-1 and finished the playoffs this season with an impressive 10-1 record. Roma led in the early going and the score was tied at 31:31 midway through the second period. Siena however catapulted themselves to a 49:40 halftime lead. Romain Sato averaged 13.0 points per game in the regular season for his team. His stats were also great in the Playoffs as he poured in 113 points in 11 games having 10.3 points per game. Closing the season it is a must to mention that Romain Sato finished third with Siena in Euroleague. In the game for the third place Montepaschi Siena beat Tau Ceramica Vitoria 97:93. Central African Romain Sato led Montepaschi at the third quarter with nine points, while Tau was lead by Pete Mickeal, who added extra seven consecutive points. Sato finished that night with 15 points and 9 boards that was one of the best games for him to finish the Euroleague season.
Sato and his teammates misses first chance for the title
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) and his team Montepaschi Siena missed the first opportunity to tin Italian championship title. After fantastic three wins in the play-off final, this time Lottomatica celebrated at home 84-70. The top ranked team of regular season wasn't able to make a turn as it was in the last game.
The game started badly for Romain Sato and his team as Lottomatica grabbed 15-5 lead after 8 minutes. But the same scenario from the last game happened once again.
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) and his team Montepaschi Siena missed the first opportunity to tin Italian championship title. After fantastic three wins in the play-off final, this time Lottomatica celebrated at home 84-70. The top ranked team of regular season wasn't able to make a turn as it was in the last game.
The game started badly for Romain Sato and his team as Lottomatica grabbed 15-5 lead after 8 minutes. But the same scenario from the last game happened once again. Montepachi woke up and very soon came closer. Until the breather score was tied 39-39. It seemed that Montepaschi will have an easy job in the second half as Lottomatica's players were frustrated. Namely, in the last three games almost every time they had a bigger lead which Siena melted without problems. But Lottomatica's players showed themselves as tougher opponent than Siena expected. They played third stanza a little bit better what was enough for plus 3 at the end of it. The hosts entered into the last frame strongly and thanks to Roko Leni Ukic and Ibrahim Jaaber made 9-2 run. It meant that they once again created bigger lead 71-58. It was under the big question mark will they succeed to keep it because in the last three game they weren't able to do that. But unfortunately to Romain Sato and his teammates it seems that Lottomatica learned a lesson as the played strongly the rest of the game.
Romain Sato was in a starting five for regular season champion. He got 28 minutes scoring 9 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. He struggled from the field as he made just 1 of 6 attempts but he was much more concentrated from the free throw line adding 7 of 8.
Next game will be played in Siena where Sato and his teammates will have another chance to capture the championship title.
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) and his Italian Montepaschi Siena is 2-0 in the Final series over Lottomatica Roma. In Game 1 Montepaschi Siena celebrated 85:73 win over the opponent. Lottomatica struggled and kept the game open till the end, led by a good Erazem Lorbek. It wasn't enough because Siena played the usual tough home game and found a key break in the last minutes of the third quarter.
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) and his Italian Montepaschi Siena is 2-0 in the Final series over Lottomatica Roma. In Game 1 Montepaschi Siena celebrated 85:73 win over the opponent. Lottomatica struggled and kept the game open till the end, led by a good Erazem Lorbek. It wasn't enough because Siena played the usual tough home game and found a key break in the last minutes of the third quarter. Due triples by Terrell McIntyre and two crucial shots by Rimantas Kaukenas allowed Montepaschi to take a 10-point lead. And Roma, from that moment, always trailed, despite two impressive plays by Roko Leni Ukic. In the fourth quarter Siena backcourt controlled the game, while Ksystof Lavrinovic shot 7/9 from the free throws line to close the game. However the mvp of the game was Terrell McIntyre, that closed with 22 points, 8 assists and 3 steals. Romain Sato ended up with 11 points and made 7 rebounds. In Game 2 Montepaschi edged Lottomatica RM 85:82 to take 2-0 in the series. Erazem Lorbek and Roberto Gabini combined for 39 points. David Hawkins added 17 with 6 steals, while Romain Sato produced 14 points and made 7 rebounds. Game 3 is scheduled for June 8th. The teams will go to Roma for the next two games in the series.
Tow former Laurinburg Institute players from the Central African Republic are completing their eligibility at their respective Junior Colleges. Celeste Mayle is averaging 2.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Redlands CC in Oklahoma. The 6'7'' power forward played last year at Eastern Oklahoma State College. William Kossangue is finishing up at Tyler College in Texas and is averaging 7.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg. An update on their signing will follow in April.
Tow former Laurinburg Institute players from the Central African Republic are completing their eligibility at their respective Junior Colleges. Celeste Mayle is averaging 2.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Redlands CC in Oklahoma. The 6'7'' power forward played last year at Eastern Oklahoma State College. William Kossangue is finishing up at Tyler College in Texas and is averaging 7.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg. An update on their signing will follow in April.
Central Africans Abroad
by Eurobasket News - Feb 21, 2008
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) together with his Montepschi Siena stays perfect in Top 16 of Euroleague. Turkish Efes Pilsen fought bravely but fell just short to Montepschi Siena in overtime. It was the first loss for Efes Pilsen at this stage of the tournament. Efes Pilsen playing at the Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall claimed a narrow 13:12 lead after the opening frame and stretched it to 30:19 in the second term.
Romain Sato (194-G-81, college: Xavier) together with his Montepschi Siena stays perfect in Top 16 of Euroleague. Turkish Efes Pilsen fought bravely but fell just short to Montepschi Siena in overtime. It was the first loss for Efes Pilsen at this stage of the tournament. Efes Pilsen playing at the Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall claimed a narrow 13:12 lead after the opening frame and stretched it to 30:19 in the second term. But Bootsy Thornton scored 6 points in a 9:0 run to erase the deficit to 2 points at 28:30. Eze then tied the scoreline at 30 with seconds past in the third term. Montepschi took over and started to build their lead. Romain Sato capped the frame with a jumper to give the visitors a 49:44 lead after three quarters of action. Scoonie Penn and Ermal Kurtoglu regained the lead for Efes Pilsen early in the fourth term with a couple of treys. The game remained close throughout the fourth period and Terrell McIntyre connected from downtown to make it 69:69 with under a minute to play in regulation. No team was able to deliver at the crunch time and the game moved into overtime. Romain Sato opened the extra period with a three-pointer but it was matched by Drew Nicholas and Scoonie Penn as Efes Pilsen remained in driving seat. Ksystof Lavrinovic once again tied things up at 76 with free throws. Ksystof Lavrinovic got fouled again and converted two more free throws to spur Montepaschi in front. Drew Nicholas failed to deliver, while Bootsy Thornton was accurate to stretch Siena's lead. Efes Pilsen had enough time to get to Siena but missed decisive shots and lost the battle. Ermal Kurtoglu produced 20 points and 7 boards for the hosts. Andre Hutson scored 14 points for Efes Pilsen. Bootsy Thornton had 18 points for Montepaschi. Romain Sato scored 12 points and now averages 13.5 points per game in Top 16 and has 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Maxime Zianveni (198-F-79) and his AEL outlasted Ukrainian opponents Khimik on every inch of the court and deservedly won the game 70:65 in EuroCup. The game was pretty close early on but just before Milutin Aleksic begun his amazing offensive crescent. Aleksic had 21 points for the winners, who won despite being out-rebounded 42-31.Duane Woodward also had 15 points and four assists in a winning effort. Maxime Zianveni played 15 minutes and made 3 rebounds. he averages 7.3 points per game for his team.
Central African Republic - Nigeria 46:80
Central African Republic suffered a 46:80 loss to Nigeria in the classification game for the 5th-8th spots yesterday. They will now fight for the 7th-8th places against Cote d'Ivoire. Nigeria will play versus Tunisia for the 5th-6th spots at Afrobasket tournament.
Central African Republic - Nigeria 46:80 Central African Republic suffered a 46:80 loss to Nigeria in the classification game for the 5th-8th spots yesterday. They will now fight for the 7th-8th places against Cote d'Ivoire. Nigeria will play versus Tunisia for the 5th-6th spots at Afrobasket tournament. Nigeria proved their strength early in the contest as they rolled to a 24:9 advantage after the starting quarter. Central African Republic tried to slow Nigeria down after the intermission but little succeeded in it and trailed by as many as 19 points at halftime 25:44. Nigeria extended their dominance in the second half leaving their opponents no chances to recover. The teams entered the fourth quarter with Nigeria up by 23 points 56:33 and eased to an overall Nigerian victory at the end. Tunji Awojobi (201-F-73, college: Boston U.) topscored with 18 points for Nigeria. Ejike Ugboaja (204-F/C-85) chipped in 15 points for the winners. Fabrice Mokoteemapa (192-G-81) answered with 12 points for Central African side. Dieudonne Mbesse (-82) had 8 points in a losing effort. Nigeria had an advantage in every other apect of the game. They outrebounded Central African players 44:18 and forced them to 17 turnovers. Nigeria shot 63% from the close range and 72% from free throw line. Central African team converted just 40% of two pointers and 44% of free throws.
Central African Republic - Angola 51:78
Central African Republic were unable to post real sensation at the Afrobasket tournament in Angola. They were beaten by the home side in yesterday's quarterfinal to step down from the title race. Angola easily overcame their opponents and advanced into the semifinal.
Central African Republic team were stunned early in the game.
Central African Republic - Angola 51:78 Central African Republic were unable to post real sensation at the Afrobasket tournament in Angola. They were beaten by the home side in yesterday's quarterfinal to step down from the title race. Angola easily overcame their opponents and advanced into the semifinal. Central African Republic team were stunned early in the game. Olimpio Cipriano (194-F-82) and Eduardo Mingas (200-F-79) led their team to a 37:29 lead after the opening frame. Angola posted a 9:1 rally early in the second quarter and extended the gap to 48:30. Fabrice Mokoteemapa (192-G-81) responded with 8 points for Central African side to cut the deficit to 39:48. But Olimpio Cipriano capped the first half with a coverted long jumper and gave the hosts a 51:39 lead at halftime. Olimpio Cipriano's consucutive treys midway through the third frame allowed Angola to enjoy a 61:41 advantage and they easily secured an unassailable 78:51 lead at the end of the encounter. Olimpio Cipriano led the action with 23 points for the home side. Eduardo Mingas and Carlos Morais (190-G-85) added 12 points apiece for the winners. Fabrice Mokoteemapa answered with 16 points for Central African Republic. Max Mombollet (203-F-81, college: Citadel) had 9 points in defeat. Angola will now play against Cape Verde in the semis. Central African Republic will take on Nigeria in the classification games for the 5th-8th spots.
Central African Republic National team successfully qualified for the quarterfinal round at African Championship in Angola. They occupied the second spot in Group C securing 2 victories at the preliminary stage. They will now take on hosting Angola in the quartefinal tomorrow.
Central African Republic started their Afrobasket 2007 campaign with a confident win over DR Congo 66:58.
Central African Republic National team successfully qualified for the quarterfinal round at African Championship in Angola. They occupied the second spot in Group C securing 2 victories at the preliminary stage. They will now take on hosting Angola in the quartefinal tomorrow. Central African Republic started their Afrobasket 2007 campaign with a confident win over DR Congo 66:58. In the next round Central African Republic had to face the most dangerous opponent at the preliminary round Nigeria. They started the game comfortably enough and trailed by just 5 points after the opening frame 17:22. But things went the wrong direction in the second term as Nigeria dominated the field and extended the gap to 23:42. Central African Republic team managed to slow down their renounded counterparts and teams played close basketball in the second half. However Nigeria never allowed Central African team to come within a striking distance and celebrated a victory at the end. Central African Republic were paced by 14 points from Regis Koundija. Christian Siris and Olivier Vivies (204-C-73) provided 9 points apiece in a loss. Nigeria dominated avery aspect of game outrebounding Central African Republic 43:23 and forced them to 21 turnovers. Central African Republic converted 54.2% from close range and only 39% from free throw line. Central African Republic played against Liberia in the third game at the tournament and cruised past their opponents 96:59. The win enabled Central African Republic to occupy the second spot in Pool C just behind Nigeria and lifted them into the quarterfinal stage.
4 Fabrice Mokotemapa (192-G-81) of Etoile Charleville-Mezières (FRA)
5 Regis Koundjia (203-F-83) of The George Washington University (USA)
6 Juinior Madozein (-87) of ASOPT
7 Dieudonne Mbesse (-82)
8 Lionel Bomayako (196-G-78) of Longwy-Rehon B.C. (FRA)
9 Guy Joseph Kodjo (188-F-85) of ES Pris
