FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.11.2009 14:25

Regal Barca come through (76-67)

Sònia de Alba

Cajasol made Regal Barca work for their win on Sunday lunchtime, but despite the 21 times they lost the ball, the effects of a hard week's basketball and the injury absences.

Juan Carlos Navarro was determined to make this game and his presence proved vital as Cajasol closed down Barca's lead with just four minutes left, Navarro showed his class with two quick three pointers to ensure the win.

It's been a tough week, with the game against Estudiantes, injuries to Navarro and Basile and a tiring midweek trip to Kaunas, but Regal Barca came through it with three wins out of three.

Maximum difference of 17 points

Cajasol have one of the best defences in the league and Joan Plaza's team certainly created problems for Barca's attack, whilst their own forwards, Galloway and Ellis chalked up 30 points between them.

Regal Barca found it hard to get started and neither Lakovic nor Ricky were able to get the team going and after a timeout from Plaza, the visitors closed to just a point behind, 12-11. Barca made a triple change, taking off Ricky, Lakovic and Ndong whilst Grimau, Sada and Vázquez came on and improved markedly stretching to a 17 point lead after a Morris three-pointer (35-18).

Navarro stamps his authority

Still suffering some problems in his ankle, Navarro, who missed the midweek European game, didn't appear till the second half when he stamped his authority on the game.

Barca were pegged back in the third quarter as Savanovic piled on the points to make it just 59-53 after 30 minutes and soon after the start of the fourth, Cajasur came even closer with two more points from Savanovic to make it just 64-62.

That's when Navarro stepped up with two free shots and then two successive three-pointers to make it 74-62.

The win means Regal Barca are second in the ACB, with five wins and a draw.