An unexpected driver leads Barça to a double prize

BarcelonaAfter two years of absence, Barça will once again compete in the Endesa League final. The Blaugrana team overcame a 14-point deficit against La Laguna Tenerife (76-85) and secured their qualification in a swift manner (3-0). Will Clyburn's second half, after only scoring two free throws in the first 20 minutes, was decisive. The forward scored 19 points with two three-pointers at the most delicate moment. "Playing the final and qualifying to compete in the Supercopa is a double prize," said Xavi Pascual. "We played a good game, but Barça is intractable," acknowledged Txus Vidorreta.

La Laguna Tenerife showed from the first moment that the game would be very different from the first two played in Barcelona. Txus Vidorreta adjusted the defense on Toko Shengelia and his players attacked more intelligently. Barça clung to Kevin Punter's points in a first quarter in which Marcelinho Huertas also shone (19-19).

Players like Aaron Doornekamp and Wesley Van Beck, who had gone unnoticed at the Palau Blaugrana, came into action and the home team's lead continued to grow to 14 points (38-24). The island team limited Barça's transitions and forced them to play static attacks. The discomfort of the culers was evident. Pascual gave minutes to Willy Hernangómez and the final stretch before halftime served to reduce part of the home team's advantage (42-34).

The break in the locker room served for Barça to change their attitude and improve their defense. The blaugrana team used a 0-9 run to turn the score around (42-43). Kevin Punter committed his fourth personal foul with 13 minutes left, when the Catalan team was losing by two points. The game reached the last ten minutes open (58-56).

Punter's three-pointers were enough to blow the game open with six and a half minutes left (60-69), at which point the North American guard was disqualified for five personal fouls. Txus Vidorreta added more tension to the atmosphere by forcing a technical foul for protesting a referee's decision, but Barça maintained their concentration. Two three-pointers from Clyburn and Parra increased the difference to 10 points (68-78). La Laguna Tenerife no longer had time to react.

Badalona enters the scene

Asisa Joventut will play this Sunday (8 p.m., Esport3 and DAZN) the first match ball against Valencia Basket. After two games at the Roig Arena, the semi-final moves to the Palau Olímpic in Badalona, where La Penya is forced to win to avoid elimination.