By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
There have been Copa del Rey titles and Basketball Champions League Final Fours, but it was not until the Endesa Super Cup came to Badalona that La Penya finally added another trophy to its cabinet.
Since 2008, the drought had been the defining story at the verdinegra club, but the first title in almost two decades has arrived in the best way possible: against their eternal rivals and in emphatic fashion. A 101–87 victory over Barça, with one player taking center stage.
Not receiving a renewal offer from Barça may have provided Nico Laprovittola with some extra motivation, as he put together a spectacular final: 31 points and 7 assists.
Emir Sulejmanovic, with 19 points and 9 rebounds, was his outstanding supporting act.
Joel Parra’s excellent performance (24 points) and Kevin Punter’s 20 points were not enough for Barça, who never really had a chance of winning.
The first half was the perfect demonstration of what the game was all about: maximum competitiveness, but with La Penya firmly in control. The 52–46 lead for the verdinegros felt like too little for the home side, who had begun to dream of the title, while Laprovittola allowed them to let their imagination run wild.
While Barça’s point-guard situation was a mess, with Gibson still struggling to adapt to the elite level and Juan Núñez lacking rhythm and confidence, Joventut Badalona controlled the game through the point-guard position. Ricky Rubio and Lapro took over the game and allowed their teammates to remain calm.
Although the final quarter began with the score at 71–68, the momentum was firmly on the verdinegros’ side, and Laprovittola continued to produce flashes of magic — the kind that will be sorely missed at the Palau — all the way to his team’s victory.
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