First win in the Lliga Catalana. Sekulic's Barça showed intensity and bright play to control the game against MoraBanc Andorra. The Andorrans side got closer towards the end of the game, but the offensive power in the first half meant the blaugranes got into the groove and won this first game.

Bright start from the blaugranes

Barça came into the Lliga Catalana strongly. Robinson and Brizuela started with triples to give their side a 12-6 lead after five minutes. The advantage grew thanks to intensity in both offense and defence by FC Barcelona. Umude and Brizuela took the lead to 18-10 against MoraBanc Andorra who were trying hard against a well set up blaugrana side at the Palau d'Esports Catalunya de Tarragona. No surprise when it went to 26-12 (min 9) through Gibson.

Former blaugrana Kuric managed to cut into the lead at the start of the second quarter (28-21), showing there was still work to be done. The alarm bells rang when it went to 32-28, but good ball circulation, quick transitions and talent from Martin, opened up the lead again (44-34, min 17). Brizuela then helped extend the lead at the break to 52-37.

Lead chipped away...

Baskets were exchanged at the start of the third, but the blaugranes couldn't maintain the pace towards the end of the quarter. Their opponents were causing problems and made it more thrilling as the scoreline shortened (69-66, min 29). Brizuela then stopped the flow at the start of the fourth (76-68).

...but FC Barcelona run out winners

Sekulic's side then got down to ensuring the victory would be theirs. It was looking good but needed a final effort, and up stepped Parra as the main reason why the Andorrans were kept at arm's length. It was +10 to FC Barcelona with just over three minutes to the buzzer, which seemed to be enough, and the blaugranes saw the game out, but not without difficulty, to win 88-84.

Another Lliga Catalana game for La Diada 

As such, Barça are one win away from reaching the Lliga Catalana final. They will take on Kids&Us Manresa on 11 September at 9pm CEST, with another victory the aim on the National Day of Catalonia. Sekulic's side are getting into the groove. 

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    GAME STATS

    Barça 88
    MoraBanc Andorra 84

    Barça: Robinson (11), Brizuela (19), Umude (5), Parra (14) and Nebo (6) - starting five - Gibson (9), Martin (16), Nkamhoua (5), Balcerowski (3), Minaya (-), Ubal (-) and Juan Núñez (-)
    MoraBanc Andorra: Luz (5), Robertson (5), Iwundu (11), McGriff (8) y Pustovyi (6) - starting five - Radosevic (5), Mutic (9), Best (12), Bottiroli (-), Kuric (21), Ortega (2) and Aquino (-)

    Quarters: 28-16; 24-21 // 17-29; 19-18

    Referees: Arnau Padrós, Alberto Baena and Andrés Fernández

    Força Barça