BAXI Manresa advances towards the final of the Catalan League
Despite the one-point defeat, Diego Ocampo's team once again qualified for the final thanks to a strong performance from Benitez, Akobundu-Ehiogu, Reyes, and Golden.
89 BAXI Manresa I Benitez 14, Obasohan 4, Reyes 19, Knudsen 2 and Akobundu-Ehiogu 13; Gaspà 3, Ubal, Steinbergs 7, Golden 13, Izaw-Bolavie, Dani Pérez 5 and Plummer 9
90 Bàsquet Girona I Livingston 19, Hughes 9, Busquets 3, Martínez 3 and Maric 11; Needham 15, Ferrando, Vildoza 7, Geben 15, Chassang and Susinskas 8
Partials: 12-21, 29-23, 23-24, 25-22
BAXI Manresa failed to secure a victory in their second Lliga Catalana match in Tarragona, losing to Bàsquet Girona (89-90). However, the Bages team did take home the big prize: a ticket to the competition final, which they will play against the winner of the match between Barça and Joventut Badalona.
The players coached by Diego Ocampo scored the first seven points of the game, but from then on, the Girona side were far superior, posting a resounding 2-21 run that allowed them to close out the first quarter with a nine-point lead (12-21).
In the second quarter, the Reds, who had been trailing by thirteen, got their act together and gradually closed the gap. At halftime, the score was still in Girona's favor, but only by three points (41-44).
Coming back from the locker room, the two teams exchanged constant blows, but they were unable to open a gap. At the end of the third quarter, Moncho Fernández's men led by four points (64-68).
In the final ten minutes, the tie persisted, and this situation meant the duel came down to the final possessions. In these, Girona won the match by the narrowest margin (89-90), but it was the Bages team who secured their place in the grand final of the Catalan League.