FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.04.2009 20:18

Vázquez settles derby (76-79)

Sònia de Alba

Two free shots from Fran Vázquez ensured a Regal Barca win in Madrid to take Xavi Pascual closer to guaranteeing second place in the ACB.

With just three games left to play in the regular season, Regal Barca recorded their 24th win of the season, one more than Unicaja who beat Manresa tonight. But with the Malaga team not playing next week and with Barca also having a better basket average, the second place berth looks pretty safe.

The fifth clash with Madrid this season really lived up to its billing in an intensive clash that kept up the excitement until the final seconds. Madrid fought their way back into a game that Regal Barca had looked to have stamped their personality on. Xavi Pascual’s team managed to build up a 14-point lead, but Madrid and the Vistalegre crowd never made it easy for them

Two consecutive errors on free throws by Real Madrid could have turned the game around, but it was a foul by the local team seconds later that gave Barca, and Fran Vazquez, the chance for two free shots to round off the game 76-79.

Strong first quarter

Despite the absence of Felipe Reyes, Van den Spiegel and Massey looked dangerous on the inside and a 4-0 start put Barca on the back foot before Lakovic, Navarro and Ilyasova came in with the three-pointers which obliged Plaza to call the first time out of the game at 7-15. Barca were playing strong and Madrid were only able to reply through individual actions from Bullock to hang on.

Madrid fight back

After Regal Barca ended the first quarter 12-26 up, Madrid, urged on by their home supporters, fought back in the second with Winston, Hervelle and Llull dragging them back into the game to end the half 34-40 and lay the foundations for a somewhat irregular comeback. Regal Barca weren’t lying down though and a flurry of eight points, including two three-pointers from Lakovic (100% effective up to that point) pushed them out in front again to a 34-48 lead.

Thrilling finish

Once again Madrid fought back with Bullock (20 points and maximum scorer in the game) again providing the inspiration. His performance, combined with a series of Barca mistakes saw the home team claw their way back to 58-60 as the third quarter drew to a close.

The last 10 minutes were really thrilling with Navarro and Bullock pushing their teams on. It wasn’t so much their individual skills that decided things though, as much as the whole sides’ performances. With 22 seconds left on the clock and the scores at 76-77,Lakovic missed two free shots for Madrid and a steh ball went up the other end, Fran Vázquez was fouled. He didn’t miss his chances and popped in two points to make it 76-79 with virtually no time left for Madrid to force extra time.

Watching the football

After the game, the Barca players settled down to watch the Getafe-Barca game, after which the two squads, with Director Josep Cubells accompanying the basketball players, flew back to Barcelona on the same charter flight.