The twelve teams that are not involved in continental competition played this round for automatic spots in the quarterfinals as a number of new entrants made it an intriguing start to the season before regular league play begins. Most of the series started on Wednesday, opening with a terrific individual battle that saw Chelsea Douglas and Phoenix Constanta escape with a 77-73 win even though Arlesia Morse edged the scoring with Cluj-Napoca. Kayla Mobley led Targu Secuiesc to a 76-59 win at Oradea. A battle of domestic players saw Mihaela Mihai and Alexandria come back to beat Alexandria Chitanu and Agronomia 58-54. Targoviste doubled up Targus Mures 94-47 with Alina Chivu leading the way. The day ended with Arad beating Brasov 70-61. The last series started on Friday for a quick back to back as Satu Mare beat Florina Stanici and Rapid 98-75.
September 26, 2018
Universitatea Cluj-Napoca vs. Phoenix Constanta 73-77 CLU Morse 32/10r Bot 11/10a Orban 10 CON Douglas 31/10a Cutas 18/11r Aspas 11/8r
Universitatea Oradea vs. Targu Secuiesc 59-76 ORA Chis 16 Pfirman 13/11r Croitoru 13 Gavra 10 TAS Mobley 28/13r Csurulya 16/7r Miklos 13
Alexandria vs. Agronomia Bucuresti 58-54 ALE Mihai 20/7r Cucu 11 AGR Chitanu 21/11r Vilcinschi 17/8r
Targoviste vs. Targu Mures 94-47 TAR Chivu 27 Stoenescu 16 Kilin 13 Toma 11 Poole 9 Coker 6 TAM Meszaros 16 Robinson 12
Arad vs. Olimpia Brasov 70-61 ARA Hadzovic 18/10r Dzombeta 17/8r Burdgess 14/7r BRA Pesovic 17/6a Ferenczi 15 Podar 12 Bartee 5/7r
September 28, 2018
Satu Mare vs. Rapid Bucuresti 98-75 SAT Olah 18 Mandache 15/7r Baltic 13/12r Lloyd 13 Denson 6 RAP Stanici 22 Lupasavei 9