Mikheil Korkia-Zurab Sakandelidze Memorial which is hosted by basketball gym of "Energy Invest" Rustavi started with the match between MIA and GSAU.
After the first circle of the 20th national championship, important changes were made in both teams. MIA has added head coach Davit Ustiashvili ("Batumi") and players Beka Tsivtsivadze and Jovelit Tujan Talba (both "Energy Invest"). MIA has dismissed twin brothers - Davit and Irakli Berishvili.
As for GSAU, head coach Mikheil Kobeshavidze left the club and Gia Kazanjiani, head coach of Georgian U-16 team, substituted him. The club also added player Davit Artsividze. As it was expected, MIA did not find it difficult to beat GSAU which played without head coach (Kazanjiani is holding meeting with U-16 team at "Olympic base" in Dusheti).
Revaz Chachanidze from GSAU collected the most - 21 points in this match.
David Imnadze was the best player of MIA. He scored 18 points.
In the second match of Group A, TSU beat Samedicino quite easily. After the first circle, both teams made changes. Central forward Giorgi Kvelashvili ("Batumi") left TSU. The team added Mikheil Berishvili ("Army").
As for Samedicino, the team added head coach Nugzar Kandelaki and assistant Tengiz Pitskhelauri along with players Akaki Dvalishvili ("Energy Invest") and Nodar Tenieshvili ("Batumi").
Mikheil Chochua from Samedicino had the best result. He scored 19 points. Ilia Londaridze, central forward of TSU, was one point behind him.
"Energy Invest" continues surprising its fans. After the first circle of the 20th national championship, Jovelit Tujan Talba, Beka Tsivtsivadze, Davit Artsividze, Akaki Dvalishvili, Giorgi Tsekvava and Duda Sanadze left the team. In spite of it, the team managed to beat "Dinamo" which was left by Giorgi Kuchava ("Kutaisi-2010").
Host central forward Samuel Lamu was the best player of this match with 27 points and 18 rebounds. Irakli Alkhanaidze, colleague of Lamu, made double double (13 points, 11 rebounds).
The most points were scored in the match between "Sokhumi" and GTU. Irakli Pargalava and Eugene Harris played key roles in victory of "Sokhumi". They scored 35 and 30 points.
Beka Chikviladze from GTU scored the most - 18 points.

Mikheil Korkia-Zurab Sakandelidze Memorial, Rustavi. January 18. Basketball gym of "Energy Invest"
Group A
MIA-GSAU 93:62
(16:12; 23:10; 29:7, 25:33)
TSU-Samedicino 85:67
(16:12, 24:24, 26:14, 19:17)
MIA 1 1 0 93:62 2
TSU 1 1 0 85:67 2
Samedicino 1 0 1 67:85 1
GSAU 1 0 1 62:93 1
Group B
"Energy Invest"-"Dinamo” 74:43
(21:5, 20:6; 15:15, 18:17)
“Sokhumi”-GTU 104:85
(25:19; 25:19; 25:25; 29:22)
Energy Invest 1 1 0 74:43 2
Sokhumi 1 1 0 104:85 2
GTU 1 0 1 85:104 1
Dinamo 1 0 1 43:74 1
January 19 is a day off
January 20, Round 2
MIA-Samedicino 12.00
GSAU-TSU 14.00
“Energy Invest”-GTU 16.00
“Dinamo”-“Sokhumi” 18.00


Roland Labuchidze