By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
Bilbao achieved a victory in the 31st round of the ACB League as they surprised Real Madrid at home, with a score of 88-82.
In a closely contested game where Scariolo’s team led by 10 at one point, Ponsarnau’s side tightened up in the final minutes to secure the win.
A superb Trygvvi Hlinason (22 points, 7 rebounds), accompanied by Darrun Hilliard (21), puts the men in black at 17-14 in the standings. Trey Lyles scored 19 in the loss. Neither Usman Garuba, Mario Hezonja, nor Chuma Okeke played for the Madrid team.
Surne Bilbao started with clear ideas. With Almansa as the only center, Ponsarnau’s team constantly sought Hlinason from the beginning. Hilliard accompanied him to complete a great first quarter (24-22), with Lyles ‘warming up’ as the new center in this final stretch of the season.
With Bilbao increasing the pace and causing damage in transitions, Scariolo’s team responded with a great Maledon who took the helm (30-30). Campazzo donned the leader’s cape to round off the best minutes for the whites before the break (40-44).
The Lyles show returned, exuberant with his physique, and doubts grew among the locals despite being close on the scoreboard (47-50). The Campazzo-Deck duo left fantasy plays in Bilbao’s major defensive errors. The white team clearly kicked it up a notch before the final assault (60-66).
Hlinason appeared again in the attack of the men in black, destroying the rim with every continuation. In his best game of the season, the Icelander lit the fuse that put his team ahead (83-80). Although Lyles tried to turn it around in time, Ponsarnau’s team took the victory in an authentic battle (88-82). They are now 17-14, with the playoffs in sight.
On the other side, Real Madrid suffered second consecutive defeat in the league after losing to Breogan. With a 26-5 record, Scariolo’s team will host Penya on Sunday at the Palace before facing the Final Four in Athens.
Burgos and Joventut secure wins
San Pablo Burgos achieved a victory in the 31st round of the ACB League by defeating Unicaja at home with a score of 97-90.
Gonzalo Corbalan scored 23 points, and Raul Neto added 20, while on the other side, James Webb was the best with 25 points.
San Pablo Burgos secured an important win in their fight for survival, now holding a record of 10-21, while Unicaja stands at 16-14, facing a battle for a playoff spot.
Joventut also secured a victory by defeating MoraBanc Andorra in Badalona with a score of 101-79.
Ricky Rubio was the standout with 17 points and six assists, while Shannon Evans had 11 for the opposing side.
Joventut is now in sixth place with a record of 18-11, while Andorra is in 16th place at 9-22, facing a battle for survival.