FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.02.2010 14:21

Three out of three against Cajasol (64-71)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barca showed quality and concentration to record their third win of the season over Cajasol in a game that defences dominated. The win keeps Pascual’s team at the top of the ACB.

First in the Palau Blaugrana in the first half of the league, then in Bilbao in the Cup and on Sunday, Barca chalked up their third win over the Seville team by a 64-71 margin. None of the games were easy wins and on Sunday the team needed their concentration and patience to take their 21st ACB win of the season and keep the spot at the top, two wins ahead of Caja Laboral.

Cajasol made the brighter start and took a 6-0 lead, before Pete Mickeal and Jaka Lakovic, with a three pointer each, cut it back and Boniface Ndong finished the scoring to give Barca a 14-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Barca in charge

The Seville team‘s excellent defence – maybe one of the best in the history of the ACB – kept things close throughout the game, but Barca put a bit of space between them and their hosts in the second quarter. Navarro got a quick 7 points as the team moved to 18-23 as they began to control the game but Cajasol kept their heads and fought back to leave it 30-32 at the break.

Savanovic was Cajasol’s main weapon with 20 points, including two three-pointers, one of which gave his team a 45-43 advantage as the third quarter drew to a close, before Morris gave the visitors a lead they were now never to let go.

Navarro leads fourth quarter

The start of the last quarter saw a three pointer from Douglas, whose return to the team could be a key part in ensuring a play off place for his team. Lorbek replied with his own three pointer, quickly followed by another from Navarro (his second from eleven attempts).Barca were looking solid and Cajasol, who had not lost at home since week three of the competition, began to tire as their visitors upped the pace with Navarro as a constant reference point and took a 57-67 lead.

Douglas gave the home fans some hope as he cut the lead to 60-67, but there was no gas left in the tank for Cajasol and Barca played out the final minutes to record yet another win.