20.11.2010 19:49

Lethal final period (87-80)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barcelona were well on course for victory at the Buesa Arena, leading by 12 going into the final period, but Cajasol then scored 33 to just 16 from Barça and ended up winning in extraordinary fashion.

Caja Laboral’s Fernando San Emeterio was on four fouls, but nevertheless led his team’s amazing comeback, and that was despite head coach Dusko Ivanovic being ejected early in the final period. Caja Laboral thus go 7-1 and move ahead of Regal Barça who are 6-2.

Early timeout

Barça started so badly that Xavi Pascual called a timeout after just two minutes with the score 5-0. His changes worked. The defence was immediately better, and by the end of the period, Regal Barça were ahead.
Australian Joe Ingles also made his ACB debut and scored a three-pointer in his first play.

From the back

Caja Laboral failed to find ways of dealing with FCB’s intense defending.
Ricky led things intelligently, and Pete Mickeal seemed too much for Fernando San Emeterio. The side from Vitoria looked uneasy on court, and also lost their never, such as when a technical foul was given against Marcelinho Huertas, who made it 35-34 at the break, for protesting a Rubio foul. From here on, Barcelona dominated, and the job they did in the third period (19-30) hadn’t yet won them the match, but put them well in command

Ivanovic off

Ivanovic was in a frantic mood, and when he came onto the court, the refereeing trio of De la Maza, Perea and Cortés had no option but to send him off. With Lakovic banging in the threes Regal Barça led 54-66. Caja Laboral needed to react, and boy they did.

Perhaps Barcelona were guilty of over-relaxation, but San Emeterio, outplayed until then by Mickeal suddenly had his man beaten in almost every play. Teletovic and Barac also did their bit, and the 33-16 balance of the final period tipped things in favour of the home side, who from nowhere eventually won the game by seven clear points, 87-80.