Alba’s Israelis Tamir Blatt (left) and Yovel Zoosman (middle) try to prevent the pass from Ludwigsburg’s James Woodard Photo: City Press GmbH
From BZ/dpa
Champion Alba Berlin started the semi-final series of the Basketball Bundesliga against the MHP giants Ludwigsburg with an arduous and hard-fought victory.
The capital city won on Friday in an intense and exciting game with 89:84 (45:43) and lead in the best-of-five series 1:0. The best Alba throwers in front of 8211 spectators in the arena at Ostbahnhof were Maodo Lo with 20 and Jaleen Smith with 18 points.
At Ludwigsburg, Jordan Hulls scored best with 26 and James Woodard with 24 points. The second encounter will take place again on Sunday in Berlin.
Alba guard Maodo Lo tries to assert himself against Ludwigsburg’s Tremmell Darden. Lo was the best Berlin thrower with 20 points Photo: City Press GmbH
It quickly became clear that it would be the difficult game expected by defending champion Alba against well-organized Ludwigsburg. With their often small formation and aggressive and physical press defense, they put their opponents under pressure. Alba countered and led 25:24 after the first quarter.
In the second round, the hosts initially defended better and, after a few fast breaks, were able to pull away to nine points. Due to some unnecessary ball losses by the Berliners shortly before the break, the lead shrank to 45:43.
Alba was again able to gain a lead of nine points. Ludwigsburg stayed in the game with sometimes difficult distance throws, especially from Hulls.
Albas Ben Lammes tries to block Ludwigsburg’s Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann Photo: City Press GmbH
The visitors stayed put, continuing to score well and Alba falling two points down in the final quarter. It was the Berliners who hit the important shots in the end. A three by Tamir Blatt to make it 89:81 in the final minute brought the decision.
