The whites closed the semifinal series against Baskonia (77-85) while waiting for what happens between Barça-Joventut
Tavares (23 points and 12 rebounds with a PIR of 36) was once again the engine of Madrid, who was always in control of the duel at the Fernando Buesa
Madrid qualified for the Endesa League final after winning against Baskonia at the Buesa Arena (77-85) without the presence of his first coach, Pablo Laso, who followed him from his home after hours before he was discharged after his myocardial infarction.
DATA SHEET
Endesa League
BITCI
MAD
LINEUPS
Bitci Baskonia, 77
(14+22+17+24): Baldwin (26), Fontecchio (16), Peters (9); Giedraitis (6).Enoch (2)- starting five-, Marinkovic (0), Wetzell (3), Granger (10), Costello (5),
Real Madrid, 85
(25+16+25+19): Hanga (18), Causeur (14), Deck (17), Yabusele (2), Tavares (23)- starting five-, Núñez (0), Randolph (3), Rudy (3), Poirier (8), Taylor (0).
Referees:
Hierrezuelo, Oyón and Aliaga. NO removed
Incidents:
Third game of the Endesa League semifinals at the Fernando Buesa Arena, before 9,748 spectators. Before the start of the match, the Madrid coach was reminded that he is recovering from a myocardial infarction.
Chus Mateo’s team always had the match in control with a Walter Tavares who was once again decisive, with 23 points and 13 rebounds, and a PIR of 36which allowed Madrid to close the semifinal against Baskonia on the fast track. Baldwin was the best Baskonia player with 26 points.
Baskonia entered the game decisively, aware that he had to keep up the pace if he wanted to have any chance against the whites. A tiple from Peters encouraged the locals, although very soon a reality bath came to them.
Tavares became the owner of the area very soon Hanga returned to lead successfully and also in the triplee, which allowed Madrid to achieve its first advantages (7-12).
The control for Madrid
Lhe Vitorians lost control of the duel, against a Madrid that continued to hammer the rim from a distance despite Baldwin’s attempts to close the gap (14-18). But the Whites finished the fourth explosively with a three-pointer by Rudy and another move by Tavares to dominate by 11 (14-25).
Baskonia was in tow and lost 12 (19-31) in the worst local minutes, at the pace of a Madrid that comfortably dominated. Spahija called a timeout and the locals reacted with a 7-0 that put them in the match.
The actions of Fontecchio (10 points) and Baldwin (15), woke up the Vitorians that reduced the lead to only five at halftime (36-41) and still with hopes of adding the first victory of the semifinal.
baskonia tries
Baskonia returned to the game with a triple by Costello (17-25) but the pace of the game and the success was for the whites, who gradually took over the game and the marker grew for the visitors (42-56).
Spahija stopped the game again, trying to put his team back together, but the game was clearly in the hands of Madrid who reached a maximum of 15 (51-66) with an unstoppable Tavares. Baldwin, Baskonia’s most successful player, left the lead at 13 at the end of the quarter (53-66).
The last effort from Vitoria brought them closer to just five points (64-69) but it was a brief mirage, because the tripoes of DEck and Hanga (66-81) reopened the difference and Madrid no longer suffered to certify the pass to the final (77-85)