Manresa 81-70 Barça: Defeat in Lliga Catalan Final

Barça have missed out on the first piece of silverware of the 2021/22 season after losing the Lliga Catalana final to Baxi Manresa by eleven points (81-70).

Yet it all looked so different midway through the second period when the blaugrana had already built up a two-figure lead at 30-20.

But as the three-pointers dried up, Manresa put together a remarkably quick comeback. By the time of the interval, Barça were behind.

Things didn’t change after the restart. Manresa had spotted weakness in the opposition and began to believe more and more that this one was winnable. Mastering the offensive rebounds, they now had the upper hand.

Barça battled on in search of what was becoming more and more impossible, and Bako and Sima were both outstanding as Manresa went on to win the title for the first time in 22 years.

Barça have another chance to get their hands on a trophy next Saturday in the Spanish Super Cup, when they take on Valencia Basket in the semi-finals..

MATCH STATS

Baxi Manresa: Francisco (13), Guillem Jou (11), Dani Garcia (2), Moneke (1), Steinbergs (0), Martínez (1), Valtonen (3), Bako (18), Thomasson (14), Maye (2), Pérez (1), Sima (15)

Barça: Calathes (13), Abrines (0), Higgins (4), Badji (0) i Mirotic (10), Davies (8), Martinez (1), Smits (14), Hayes-Davis (6), Laprovittola (3), Kuric (9) & Jokubaitis (2). 

Periods: 16-21 / 20-16 / 17-19 / 28-14