Barça emerges alive from the most feared trap

BarcelonaBarça once again beat La Laguna Tenerife (97-89) and is now one victory away from the final (2-0). The Barça team sweated more than on Tuesday to get rid of a rival that reached the last eight minutes with the score tied. The island team was not enough with Patty Mills' performance, who scored 36 points, nor with Txus Vidorreta's, who forced his disqualification to spring a surprise at the Palau, where Joan Laporta witnessed the culé triumph live.

La Laguna Tenerife opted from the start for a different rhythm than on Tuesday. The island team, which took advantage of Patty Mills' accuracy, only needed five minutes to score 16 points (11-16). The Australian point guard scored 13 of the visiting team's first 19 points. Without success from three-point range, Barça struggled to avoid falling behind on the scoreboard (25-27).

A 17-4 run led by Nico Laprovittola, who only needed two minutes to score three three-pointers, fueled Barça's chances (42-31). The local team's lead, which dominated the rebound with great solvency, grew to 14 points (48-34). Laguna Tenerife could only score three field goals in ten minutes (48-38).

Txus Vidorreta tried to increase his team's intensity, but the opposing team was not consistent in their defensive efforts against a Barça that added Kevin Punter to their offensive production (61-46). The Basque coach forced a technical foul to change the refereeing criteria and erase the complacency of his men. The strategy worked (66-63).

La Laguna Tenerife tied the game with eight minutes left (71-71). Vidorreta forced his disqualification, but Barça did not get entangled and took advantage of Jan Vesely's good work and Will Clyburn's three-pointers to secure the victory.

Record for Portela

The ACB took advantage of the match to remember Eduard Portela, its honorary president, who died at 91 years old. Portela coached Barça in three different spells (1964-67, 1977 and 1979). His greatest achievement was a Copa del Rey title. Furthermore, he was technical director between 1974 and 1981 and manager between 1981 and 1982. He also occupied the benches of Montgat and Sant Josep de Badalona.