19.12.2010 14:24

Another derby win (83-63)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça saw off local rivals DKV Joventut this lunchtime, limiting the ACB’s second best attack to just 63 points with Victor Sada the star of the show.

Sada had been doubtful up until the start of the match with a knee injury that kept him out of training on his return from Lithuania, but he made the game and with 13 points, a personal record in Barça colours, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and two recoveries, got a 22 point valuation and was clearly the man of the match.

Four other players scored more than 10 points and the team again showed the brilliance of early season, combined with some great defence that limited TDK to just 63 points –and just 50 when there was only 5 minutes left to play.

Regal make good start, but DKV fight back

With Pete Mickeal cheering his team mates on from the bench, Barça made a good start and with Kosta Perovic, dominating they raced to a 14-5 lead before Pepu Hernández was forced to call a time out on 7 minutes. There was little he could do though, faced with some superb defence as exemplified by a great block on Josep Franch by Fran Vazquez –his 267th of his career at Barça, which took him ahead of Roberto Dueñas as the club’s all time leading ACB block maker

Franch, Quinton Hosley and Henk Norel gave DKV some respite at the start of the second quarter, drawing their team level on 18 points, but Barça hit back immediately and with an active defence, fast transitions and two three pointers from Morris and Navarro, they again opened up their lead and although their percentages on shooting were relatively poor, Barça Regal went in 8 points ahead at the break (36-28).

Only one team in it after the break

The third quarter saw DKV succumb completely and with 21 losses of possession, Barça soon took advantage to establish a 26 point lead by the fourth quarter (64-38).

With Pascual throwing on youngster Iván García (2 points, 1 rebound, one recovery and 1 assist), who has been training with the team over recent weeks, Barça finally ran out comfortable 83-62 winners to maintain second spot in the ACB, a win adrift of leaders Real Madrid, who they meet on Thursday December 30th at 19.00 in the Palau.