Unbeaten Barça Regal thrashes Asseco Prokom (45-76)

Despite Barça Regal’s slow start on Asseco Prokom’s court, Xavi Pascual’s men were able to retain their unbeaten status in the Euroleague. Barça swept aside the Polish side thanks to an excellent Víctor Sada, highest point scorer with 17 points, and a solid Erazem Lorbek, who finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds. With a spot in the Top 16 secured, the Azulgranas achieved their objective: to remain undefeated in the Euroleague. Barça, currently enjoying a comfortable lead atop Group D, have won seven Euroleague games on the trot. It’s worth bearing in mind that Barça Regal were without Juan Carlos Navarro, who did not travel to Poland because of an inflamed plantar fascia.

Complicated first 10 minutes

Barça Regal arrived in Gdynia, Poland, knowing that it wouldn’t be easy to win. The Poles indulged their Catalan counterparts from the start with tough play. The play in the first quarter was slow-moving and both teams had trouble finding the basket. Barça led throughout most of the first quarter until Prokom edged ahead in the final minute (13-12). Barça, however, not to be outdone tied the game up at 14 each with seconds left on the clock.

Barça pulls away

After a fairly even first quarter, Barça Regal stormed ahead in the second. Víctor Sada, with 9 points in the first 20 minutes, gave his team the edge. The point guard, along with Ingles, led Barça on an unanswered five point run forcing Tomas Pacesas to call a time out. It was to no avail as Barça picked up where it left off, Asseco Prokom didn’t have the answer.

After Barça Regal opened up a lead of 10 points (19-29), Asseco Prokom reacted and came within 5 of the Catalan team. A very efficient Lorbek, with decisive shots, and Marcelinho would have none of it and took Barça to a 12 point lead to end the second quarter (24-36).

Ambitious until the end

Barça Regal started the second half the way they finished the first, dominating. Asseco Promok could do little against the Catalan onslaught. The Polish side sputtered to a halt as Barça racked up more points and added to the increasing point deficit between the two sides. The scoreboard said it all 3 minutes from the end of the third quarter, Barça had outscored their opponents 14 to 4. By the end of the quarter Barça’s manhandling of the Polish side became more evident with a 23 to 4 point differential.

As time went on Barça increased their lead over the Poles to 37 points (32-69). In the final minutes of the game, Prokom found that scoring was a bit easier as Barça took its foot off the pedal. But the difference was insurmountable and Barça returns home unbeaten in Europe.