Real Madrid remains relentless and Joventut seals the Cup

MADRID, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)

Real Madrid once again exerted its implacable dominance in the Endesa League by beating Casademont Zaragoza (94-69) this Sunday on matchday 18, thus stretching its lead with a 16-1, while Joventut certified its ticket for the Cup del Rey by beating (87-90) the Breogán River.

Pablo Laso’s men entered the WiZink Center like a storm and left the hands with a thread of life in a 28-7 run. Nigel Williams-Goss, Randolph and Poirier were the names of that gale that left the match very much on track for the leader. Zaragoza took pride and attack from there, but in defense they continued to concede too many points.

Madrid lived off the rents and pulled off its 16th win with Poirier being the best (19 points and PIR of 29), again with good minutes from Randolph and without missing a Tavares who this week tested positive for COVID. Laso’s men put a difference of five victories to a Barça that did not play this Sunday against Valencia Basket due to the cases of coronavirus in the ‘taronja’ team.

In addition, the battle for the Cup was served in the rest of the matches. In the morning, Joventut Badalona beat Lugo to get 10 wins and be already qualified for the tournament scheduled in Granada from February 17 to 20. Carles Duran’s men made use of the great performance of Ferran Bassas to overcome the duel against the Galicians, who managed to enjoy an 11-point advantage -reduced to three at half-time-.

The ‘Penya’ began to control the rebound after the break and the Barcelona point guard did the rest, with 19 points and five vital triples to turn the game around with the help of three blocks from the Swede Simon Birgander and the direction of Guillem Vives.

In addition, BAXI Manresa shone again at the Nou Congos and defeated Gran Canaria (91-72) in a direct duel to bring the Cup closer. The yellows conceded their sixth consecutive defeat and the Catalans now have 10 wins, already packing their suitcase for Grenada. Meanwhile, Bitci Baskonia overcame MoraBanc Andorra (78-79) to show that they are back.

The Basques, 9-7 in the table, were coming off a bad game against Madrid in the Euroleague, the result of inactivity two weeks before, but on their return to the Endesa League they left a good capacity for suffering. The Andorran team ruled for almost the entire match and came to have an income of 16 points.

–RESULTS AND WEEKEND PROGRAM.

–Saturday 15.

-Day 18.

MONBUS WORKSHOP – SURNE BILBAO BASKETBALL 91-96.

–Sunday 16.

-Day 11.

BREOGÁN RIVER – JOVENTUT BADALONA 87-90.

-Day 18.

REAL MADRID – CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA 94-69.

BAXI MANRESA – GRAN CANARIA 91-72.

MORABANC ANDORRA – BITCI BASKONIA 78-79.