Perlas (basketball club)

BC Perlas, is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania, currently competing in the Nacionalinė krepšinio lyga. BC Perlas is a daughter club of the Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius.

Perlas
LeaguesNacionalinė krepšinio lyga
Founded2003
HistoryBC Perlas
(2003-2011)
BC Perlas-MRU
(2011-2012)
BC Vilnius-MRU
(2012-2013)
BC Perlas-MRU
(2013-2016)
BC Perlas
(2016-present)
ArenaLietuvos rytas Arena
LocationVilnius, Lithuania
Team colorsBlack, Red and White
              
President Rolandas Jarutis
Head coach Edvinas Justa
Affiliation(s)Rytas
ChampionshipsNone
WebsiteOfficial website

Perlas club was founded in 2003. Over the decade the team had many variations of its name, but it always had the word "Perlas" (Pearl) in it except during 2012-2013 season, when it was called "Vilnius-MRU".[1] It developed young prospects and became a springboard to professional career for former Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius players, Dovydas Redikas and BC Žalgiris former player Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Undoubtedly, Perlas’ best-known alumnus is Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius, Memphis Grizzlies and Lithuania men's national basketball team center Jonas Valančiūnas.

"Perlas-MRU" qualified for second tier Lithuanian basketball league (NKL) playoffs for the first time in the 2006-2007 season. An ambitious and young team in 2009 went on a commercial basis to play in the LKL. During two seasons in the league "Perlas-MRU" finished regular season respectively in 8th and 7th places. On 14 July 2011, the club merged with NKL champions „Pieno Žvaigždės“, with many players signing with BC Pieno žvaigždės as a result.[2]

In 2011-2012 season after returning to the NKL, "Perlas-MRU" did not qualify for the playoffs. In 2012-2013 season the results for the team were much better. In the regular season Vilnius team was ranked 12th (14/20), but in the Round of 16 it eliminated fifth ranked Sūduva-Mantinga (2:1). In the quarterfinals, "Perlas-MRU" met with Jonavos "Triobet" but was eliminated after three intense matches.

In 2013-2014 season Perlas once again qualified for NKL playoffs. In round of 16 Mindaugas Sakalauskas players crushed Klaipedos Nafta-Universitetas (3:0) and in quarterfinals after 5 games was forced to concede to Delikatesas Joniškis .[3]

Players

Current Roster
BC Perlas roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
SF 1 Gudavičius, Lukas 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 89 kg (196 lb) 17 – (2003-04-05)5 April 2003
PF 8 Valantinas, Lukas 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 19 – (2001-02-25)25 February 2001
SG 9 Rimkus, Pijus 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 19 – (2001-01-11)11 January 2001
PG 10 Rubinas, Jokūbas 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 73 kg (161 lb) 18 – (2002-02-06)6 February 2002
C 16 Mačijauskas, Matas 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 89 kg (196 lb) 18 – (2002-05-30)30 May 2002
SF 26 Kalogiros, Andreas 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 92 kg (203 lb) 17 – (2002-08-23)23 August 2002
SG 27 Šimonis, Adas 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 19 – (2001-05-22)22 May 2001
PF 32 Jermolajevas, Erikas 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 91 kg (201 lb) 19 – (2001-02-24)24 February 2001
C Pacevičius, Martynas 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 96 kg (212 lb) 22 – (1997-07-19)19 July 1997
Head coach
  • Edvinas Justa
Assistant coach(es)
Athletic trainer(s)
  • Ugnius Savickas
Doctor
  • Laima Bečelytė
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured
Updated: 2020-01-11

Notable players

History
Season League Pos. Significant Events Baltic League Pos. LKF Cup
2009–10 LKL 8 Quarterfinalist Challenge Cup 3 Quarterfinalist
2010–11 LKL 7 Quarterfinalist Elite Division 11 First round
2014–15 NKL 1 Quarterfinalist

References
  2. Pieno žvaigždės bought BC Perlas (Lithuanian)
  3. "Nacionalinė krepšinio lyga - NKL". www.nklyga.lt.
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