BBL: Ulm throws master Alba out

Defending champion Alba Berlin failed almost sensationally in the play-off quarterfinals of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).

defending champion White Berlin is in the play-off quarterfinals of Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) failed almost sensationally. The main round runner-up lost the fourth game at outsider ratiopharm Ulm with 81:83 (51:50) and conceded the decisive third defeat in the best-of-five series.

Berlin, which had always been in the final for the last five years and most recently three times in a row Meister missed it for the first time since 2017 semifinals. “We had too many little physical issues,” said Alba head coach Israel Gonzalez, looking at more than 70 competitive games his team during the season. When asked about his future, the Spaniard was evasive.

“For us it’s now: Do or die! We have to go into the game with a lot of energy and be there from the start,” said Albas winger Louis Olinde said in advance. The start was also successful, in the middle of the first quarter the Berliners were leading 15:8. But as already in the whole Serie held Ulm aggressive against it, forced a lot of ball losses – and designed the game openly in front of his euphoric fans.

The hectic shooting phase became a matter of nerves, not least from the free-throw line. Berlins national player Maodo Lo failed seconds before the end of the game with a three-point attempt, the game and the Serie had run for Alba.

Ulm was there in breadth. Four Swabian players scored at least 14 points. Your most successful pitcher was Yago dos Santos (16). Top scorer of the game was Berlin’s Jaleen Smith (18).

Previously, main round and Champions League winners had each other Telekom Baskets Bonncup winner Bayern Munich and the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg each without defeat semifinals played. In this it gets Bonn with Ludwigsburg to do, Ulm is against FC Bayern again in the outsider role.