Asia
One series of the semifinals in Kazakhstan started with games on Sunday and Monday. Astana is a game away from the finals after their two wins over Barsy Atyrau. The quadruple round-robin in the second division finished this week with games from Monday through Friday at a single site. Astana’s reserve team finished in the top spot by three games.
The finals in Taiwan started on Thursday with a Cathay Life win. They also won on Saturday, leaving Chunghwa Telecom needing a win on Sunday to avoid the sweep and set up games next weekend. They could not get it done, leaving Cathay Life as the champions.
Americas
The week in Brazil started on Tuesday with Araraquara’s win over Maringa. Campinas won at Santo Andre on Wednesday. Sampaio absolutely dismantled Uninassau on Thursday. It was also a blowout on Friday as Sassa Goncalves had 38 points for Cerrado in a win over Mesquita. Games did not get any closer on Saturday when it was Sampaio’s turn to race past Salvador. Araraquara had a close win over Campinas on Sunday. Monday’s game was also close with Sao Jose getting past Santo Andre.
The regular season finished in Mexico this week, starting with San Luis Potosi and Cancun splitting games on Thursday and Friday ahead of an immediate rematch. There will be another rematch as Monterrey swept Irapuato, including blasting them in the second game as the hosts rested nearly all of their players. Leon salvaged a split against Tamaulipas, but still finished in last place. The last series was also on a Saturday-Sunday schedule and Aguascalientes got one win that they needed over Chihuahua to make sure that they were all alone in first place.
The double round-robin in El Salvador finished this week as Monsenor Romero defeated Santa Ana in Wednesday’s game. Genesis Zavaleta had 22 rebounds on Friday to help Santa Tecla leave Capitalinas winless. Ahuachapan defeated Santa Ana on Saturday, getting 41 points from Heimy Lopez, 34 points from Ericka Pratt, and 15 assists from Maria Montero. Sunday’s results left San Salvador in first place after Anisleidy Galindo had a 25 point, 16 rebound, 12 assist triple-double in their win over Monsenor Romero. Salvadorenas fell a game further behind them and Metapan grabbed third place with a win featuring 10 steals from Monica Aristondo.
Performances in Chile this week included a 31 point game from Randi Brown. Roxane Makolo had 30 points and 21 rebounds to secure an overtime win.
Australia
All five conferences in NBL1 were in action this week as the South included an early 20 rebound game from Lily Exton in a Kilsyth Cobras loss. Yang Shuyu had the highest scoring game with 33 points for the Melbourne Tigers. Stephanie Reid had a 31 point game for the Sandringham Sabres.
Brooke Basham had the highest scoring game in the North conference with 36 points for the Cairns Dolphins. Taylah Levy had the highest scoring game in the East conference with 35 points in a loss for the Inner West Bulls.
Clare Breden had the highest scoring game in Big V’s top division with 30 points for the Western Port Steelers.
Games in North West Tasmania were on Tuesday this week, including Burnie’s win over Devonport and Smithton’s win over Ulverstone. Ellie Collins had 31 points to lead Penguin in a win over Wynyard. Somerset put on a show in a win over Latrobe, getting 35 points from Sharna Thompson, 32 points from Bailie Wickham, and 20 rebounds from Parker Hill.
Europe
Olga Yatskovets had 32 points in the deciding game and Ruzomberok defeated Piestanske Cajky in the last two games to win the championship in Slovakia. Olivia Wickstrom had a 22 rebound effort and Luxol won two more games to sweep Starlites and win the championship in Malta. Kibirkstis defeated Neptunas again to win the championship in Lithuania and Siauliai defeated LCC International University to win the bronze medal. Riga won the championship in Latvia with a sweep of RSU and their reserve team defeated Liepaja for the bronze medal. Hapoel Rishon Lezion finished a sweep of Elitzur Holon to win the championship in Israel. Keltern won both road games at Marburg to win the championship in Germany. TSA finished defeating Rapla in the finals in Estonia before the bronze medal series concluded, which had Tarti Ulikool getting the series win over Parnu. Jumper defeated Orlovi to win the Bosnian finals.
Dyani Robinson had 30 points to start the finals in North Macedonia. Brittany Dinkins had 31 points to keep her team alive in Iceland’s semifinals. The playdowns finished after the playoffs in Belgium and they were mostly a formality after Charleroi ended up not participating at all. Duchess Klosterneuberg finished a sweep of Graz to win the championship in Austria.
Chase for Promotion
Trencin, which finished in last place in Slovakia defeated Poprad from outside the top division in both games of their series. San Giovanni Valdarno had to forfeit their home game in Italy’s second division playoffs, but still advanced to the final to face Costa Masnaga. In the other group, Alpo will face Faenza.
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