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GISBORNE, New Zealand (AP) -- B3 Season Opens With Canadian Victory

Andrius Krovšas poured in 32 points leading Pszczyna Team past the Hillary Hornets 92-75 on New Year's Day.

Krovšas, the Lithuanian international, who was one of three Pszczyna players to post a double double, was 14 of 28 from the field.

Quentin Jakes filled up his stat lines with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Edu Álvarez led the Hornets with 15 points and 11 rebounds, also absorbing two Duncan Arsenault flagrant fouls en route to his ejection. Alexandre Barrès had 17 points, many of which in the fourth quarter after the outcome had already been decided.

Pszczyna out-rebounded the Hornets 54-32 in a rowdy match, fouling 22 times and putting the home side into the bonus in the first three quarters. Starting center Paul Coffey Farley battled foul trouble throughout the game, but was able to see the end of the game.

Krovšas started the run in the 3rd quarter that put away the game. A 3-pointer with 5:43 left put Pszczyna Team up by double digits for the first time in the game. After a three second violation, a Stanislav Krejčí jumper, a Placido Barbiroli steal, and a Farley jumper, the Canadian squad could finally exhale.

Barbiroli struggled early with turnovers, but in the second half made up for it with a handful of steals.

The Hornets kept the game relatively close for the first 24 minutes, routinely trailing by around 5 points, and narrowing the gap to just 1 by the halftime buzzer.

NOTES: Pszczyna leads the B3 with least vowels per team name. ... Attendance was a strong 19184 on Turban giveaway night, in honor of Hornets center Cyril Turban. He had 4 rebounds and 4 fouls in 11 minutes. ... Pszczyna Team manager damian13ster immediately hopped on a sailboat after game time in hopes of making it back to Canada for the Lawrence Park Panther game this evening.

Last edited by Kumiko (CAN U21) at 1/1/2014 11:01:11 AM

16 minutes into the game: 21 FTA for the opponent, ejection for two flagrant fouls for Arsenault.

Jesus.

After a close league game with Quebec Pugs that ended with good result, team morale went through the roof. The game ended at 6:30pm so after checking a schedule and seeing that BBB matchup starts at midnight it was clear that something has to be done regarding transportation. After a couple of phone calls, manager of Pszczyna Team found himself working 3 hours, trying to somehow squeeze in 208cm Duncan Arsenault into the trunk of DeLorean with 7ft+ Krovsas already in there and rest of the team role-playing sardines in front of the car. No better way to spend new year's eve, is there? Luckily at 11:20pm team was somehow packed and that left enough time not only to get to New Zealand for the game, but to try local cuisine beforehand.
After the game started entire team somehow turned into a soft version of Hulk (what do they put in the food over there?)- smashing everything that moves without actually causing any harm. Arsenault was probably still annoyed that he had to share the space in the trunk and got himself ejected after kicking one opponent below the belt, and doing the same to referee two minutes later after another call went opponent's way. Rest of the game he was the loudest cheerleader in the building (he also claimed to have the best hairstyle among them). After overcoming the shock of hearing whistle for breathing to hard, the team decided to oppose free throws with dunks and somehow managed to hold 1 point lead at halftime.

In those much needed 15 minutes, local food was ejected from organisms (I will spare the details, it wasnt pretty) and team came out flying in 3rd quarter. Rallied by Bradshaw, Krejci and Krovsas, Pszczyna Team went on 22-8 run allowing them some room to breather. Host's didnt give up yet and cut the lead a bit, but they werent able to make a comeback with Krovsas hitting clutch shots including a long three. With final result of 92-75, damian13ster allowed team to celebrate new year's and beating Hillary Hornets. Unfortunately in a drunken stupor (don't judge) the team decided to check out 猛牛's game. They managed to pack into the DeLorean (Arsenault was much more cooperative when drunk-note for the future) and went to China. After seeing their opponents in action and post-game ratings, Pszczyna Team tried to kill their fear with even more alcohol.


9am, somewhere in China:
Bad news, we ran out of radioactive material. Apparently alcohol+time machine+nuclear materials is not a good mix. No idea how we are going to get back to Canada to check out LPP crushing their opponents, or even to thursday's cup game. Team went to the black market in search of Uranium. It turned out to be fruitless and Andrius Krovsas came back offended and crying that locals were running away from him (I don't get it, just look at this lovely face). We will keep you posted on our trip back from here.

3:51pm, still stuck in middle of nowhere.

Found an airport but for the lack of funds only Girardeu, Diffley, Ferguson and Castellano were able to buy ticket. Damian13ster decided to skip lunch and hide in Castellano's hand luggage to make it to the game. Looks like those 4 players will make it to tommorow's game. Rest of the team is trying to smuggle themselves on a ship, and ticket money is most likely going to be used to purchase another player.

P.S. For the first time in history, Pszczyna Team is ranked number 1 in the country (until today's game)!!!

Also, did further scouting. (1-0 so far), prediction in brackets)

EricUnited already played two normals in league games. Hard to believe that he is ranked so high without understanding the game so I assume there are other reasons, but nevertheless, I should have some enthusiasm advantage and might be able to beat him even on the road if other things go my way. With HCA they have slight advantage but if they keep playing normal in league games it might be dead even. (Close game)

Hostivar played patient in all his games so I might or might not tweak something in def. assignemnts (or just hope that he cant win a game with one player taking all the shots and play in usual way). Am a favourite here. (Win)

音速小強 completely chocked in their BBB game losing 4th quarter 23 to 5 and losing the game 84-80. Got GDP completely wrong and was beat by team weaker than mine on the road. With HCA they will be extremely dangerous though especially since they got great ratings even with Marbizza (130k PF) is injured. 2 week injury so he will be healed for the game with me, hopefully with bad GS though. Slovenia's NT SF got me worried. Playing LI and having HCA they are also favourites in the game against me. Looks like so far they played 2x TIE so no enth advantage here. Need to pull off an upset.
(Slight disadvantege) Note to self: 17/5/18/17/19/12 - 19/11/9/8 - 4/7 EXP: 6

Hypernets: Luckily play them at home since they are pretty strong team and in easy league so max enth for them. Should win this one if no injuries. (Should win)

Ring of fire: Sold most of the team in December, without getting much money in return. Doesnt look like they will be much of a threat since I dont see a reason why they would suddenly want to upgrade the roster (although playing them late in the season can't say for sure that they won't do that). so far 2x TIE (Win)

猛牛 : (loss) not much to add here. Sucks its a home game. Would love it to be away and one of EricUnivted or 音速小強 be at home.


Deportivo Cali: League: 1 normal, 1 TIE. Can go both outside and inside. Expensive roster, 6-7 man deep. Hopefully their 33 yo C starts declining before our match. Very hard to predict what they will do so I will just play to my team's strength. With HCA and hopefully enth. advantage it should be a close game with my team having an edge (slight advantage)





Summary: 1 loss, 3 wins (plus 1 already won), 1 close game with me having an edge, 1 close game, and 1 upset needed.
Chances arent very high of going 7-1 but I will do my best and go all in. Expiry date for my team is nearing so might as well try my best this and the following season.






Last edited by damian13ster at 1/1/2014 9:30:34 PM

not the PD I wanted (looks like GDP boosts defence significantly. couldnt make a dunk or layup, and took entire shotclock for majority of plays) but W is a W.
also, really like the ratings. Time to see what outside offence I can pull off. anybody has advice for next week? It will be a make (well, still have a chance) or break kind of game

I think any of the regularly used offences would be fine. Also, you can probably lay off the GDP for this next one.

BTW, I think you should actually beat that awesome Chinese team too. He's already out of the cup, has a big 3 wk injury, and you have HCA and a probable GS edge (if training GS).

That's what I am silently counting for. Need to be top 8 to have HCA for entire thing, and with my draw it means 8-0 because just PD wont do it. Two tough away games in front of me though

Another victory on a way to 3-0 record. Now 6-2 shouldnt be a problem, 7-1 looks doable, and 8-0 is a possibility. PD will suck as suspected so 8-0 is th eonly way of getting top 8 seed and HCA.

Luckily was able to prevent opponent use of GDP by playing different tactics throughout the season. I made a mistake on my prediction but it didnt stop my team from winning convincigly, even after slow start. All of the players from 3-5 positions had very efficient games and guards did their job of getting the ball inside, not commiting turnovers, and playing great defence. Shot and missed more times than I would have liked, but oh well. Jakes is excused by his lack of skills ;), Xun Wei by GS, and Barbiroli did good job sharing the ball so I will forgive him for 25%FG this game (needs to step it up next week though)

Kinda glad you did play LI and safeguarded on focus. That guy was actually really good.

True, 2nd or 3rd best team i will be facing in group stage (also, just realized they were ranked 8 in the world). Kind of surprised by the number of teams without a loss. I can still drop out of first 32 after all games are done today (not that it really matters at this point)

Last edited by damian13ster at 1/15/2014 7:14:05 PM

Excellent first half of the prelims. A perfect 4-0. Now, let's see if you can upset this Chinese powerhouse next week. Go Damian Go!!! :D