Badalona keeps the flame alive on a night of maximum tension
Asisa Joventut forces the third game against a Kosner Baskonia that is hard to lose
BadalonaBadalona does not want to give up. Asisa Joventut beat Kosner Baskonia (82-63) and earned the right to fight for a ticket to the semifinals in Vitoria on Sunday. La Penya played with energy and determination against a rival hampered by its poor shooting percentages. Cameron Hunt, who scored 27 points with six three-pointers, led the green-and-black victory. "We played one of our best games at home," said Dani Miret.
The staging of Penya was brilliant. The green-and-black team played with energy, which allowed them to intensely defend Baskonia's attacks and aggressively attack the rival basket. Encouraged by a fanbase eager to extend the season, the Badalona team built a 22-point lead (44-22). The only bad news in the first half was the low three-point percentages. The rival's final reaction, which closed the second quarter with a 0-9 run, prevented the game from being decided at halftime (44-31).
Paolo Galbiati tried to tactically rescue his team by alternating individual defense with a zone approach. The strategy served to alter the game's rhythm and reduce scoring, but the green-and-black team did not lose accuracy. Baskonia's problem continued to be its offensive production. The Basque team could only score 12 points during the third quarter (62-43).
Kosner Baskonia looked for a comeback, but ran into a very inspired Cameron Hunt. A very ugly personal foul by Rodions Kurucs on Guillem Vives heated up the atmosphere with four and a half minutes left. La Penya, however, did not get entangled by an opponent who was a poor loser.
Valencia Basket, qualified
Valencia Basket defeated Surne Bilbao (71-88) and secured their qualification to play in the semifinals. Barça will seek a second victory this Saturday (9 p.m., Esport3 and DAZN) against UCAM Murcia, who will be without David DeJulius. The point guard suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will need surgery. Additionally, Real Madrid hosts La Laguna Tenerife (6 p.m., DAZN).