Monbus Obradoiro 75-78 FC Barcelona: Hard working victory in Santiago

Barça returned from Santiago with a hard-fought victory against Monbus Obradoiro. Sarunas Jasikevicius' side won 75-78 after trailing for the first half. Calathes, with 25 points, was the top scorer in the match. 

The locals began the game on the front foot and were quickly up by 15-8, however, three quick fouls accumulated by Birutis, the most decisive player for the Galicians, saw them lose momentum. Little by little Barça got back into the game, and gained their first advantage in the 13th minute (22-24) thanks to Heurtel.

To the rhythm of Calathes

Despite reaching half-time behind, Barça started the second half at full throttle. Thanks to a good defence and Calathes on fire in attack, the visitors surged ahead on the scoreboard (47-56).

A final reaction from the hosts during the last quarter saw them regain the lead (68-67) just minutes from the end, but thanks to two good baskets from Calathes and another from Abrines, Barça, who now have a week with three consecutive games at the Palau, managed to see out the win. 

Match Details

Monbus Obradoiro, 75
FC Barcelona, 78

Monbus Obradoiro (22+17+12+24): Pozas (7), Beliauskas (5), Daum (5), Robertson (14), Birutis (12) –starters-, Oliver (7), Enoch (9), Muñoz (5), Czerapowicz (4), Cohen (7)

FC Barcelona (20+17+24+17): Calathes (25), Higgins (10), Abrines (7), Mirotic (8), Pustoviy –starters-, Davies (9), Heurtel (10), Bolmaro (2), Smits (2), Kuric (2), Martínez (3), Oriola

Officials: Carlos Peruga, Juan de Dios Oyón and Joaquín García