12.01.2011 21:54

Alicante make Barça sweat (83-75)

Llorenç Tarrés

FC Barcelona Regal remained on top of the Liga ACB as they overcame a stubborn Alicanet outfit in the Palau on Wednesday with Alan Andersno again proving what a shrewd acquisition he has been with 24 points to his name.

The American earned an appraisal rating of 27 as he proved to be decisive in helping Xavi Pascual's side to victory while José Antonio Navarro chipped in with 16 points of his own. It was not until a strong finish by the hosts that saw them net 11 points to their opponents' one that the victory was finally secured.

Despite their lowly position in the table Meridiano Alicante offered stiff resistance and surprised many with their play as they put on a determined performance and could well have cause a shock. That was not evident immediately, however, as Barça raced into a 10-0 lead and the visitors did not start to play until it was 16-5, which forced their coach, Txus Vidoretta, to call a time out.

Bouncing back

The trick worked as the Alicante outfit bounced back by scoring seven points without reply and were able to end the first quarter only six points behind at 18-12. The away team's form continued in the second period also and they went on to win the quarter. Heurtel, Rancik and Doellman came on and changed the game and Regal Barça had to give everything to ensure that they hung on and stay in the lead overall.

While Meridiano Alicante were strong, their confidence was still lacking after a slow first half to the season and triples from Navarro and Anderson pushed the hosts into a 50-41 advantage. That lost confidence was quickly found then, however, as the away side pushed and harried and were able to actually take the lead at 55-57.

Backwards and forwards

That really did sound the alarm bells among the Regal Barça players and they looked to impose themselves after drifting further behind as Alicante edged 59-64 clear. Andriuskevicius and Erdogan scored and the Blaugrana had another rebuilding job to do.

With their opponents missing easy baskets the home team worked hard and a triple from Lorbek and another from Navarro, Barça were able to push on and stay tight at the back shore up the victory. the late flurry saw Alicante flag and the Blaugrana won the fourth quarter 24-13.