Barça Regal fought back from what looked to be a very dangerous position – 11 points down in the third quarter – to run out 82-88 winners against Blancos de Rueda. The win was based on a strong defence, Marcelinho Huertas’ accuracy and Erazem Lorbek and Pete Mickeal’s ability to turn around a game that looked to be lost and chalk up the team’s tenth win of the regular season.
Hosts come out the sharper
Blancos de Rueda came out looking the sharper of the two teams, with new signing Román Montañez and Jordi Grimau taking them into a 13-10 lead, which they held onto in the first quarter, going in 22-21 ahead.
Sarunas Jasikevicius was Barça’s key man in the second quarter with two quick three pointers and an excellent assist to Wallace for a third, as the visitors took a 36-38 lead. However, they were unable to hold onto it as a three pointer from Pat Ewing Jr helped Valladolid to a 45-41 lead at the break.
Third quarter loss of focus
Barça looked to have lost their focus at the start of the third quarter and the hosts took full advantage to ease into an 11 point lead with some fast and confident basketball. Jordi Grimau and Hunter were looking sharp and Alex Renfroe was a constant nightmare for Barça’s playmakers. Then Barça began their fightback with six quick points from Nathan Jawai, and a basket and an extra point from Huertas to take them into the final ten minutes just five points adrift (66-61).
Champions move into top gear at last
With the scores at 76-69, Barça finally hit top gear and led by Erazem Lorbek they scored 13 straight points without reply to take a 76-82 lead. A last minute three pointer from Pete Mickeal ensured the win which had looked unlikely until those last few minutes, but which should serve to boost the team ahead of Thursday’s Euroleague trip to face Caja Laboral.
