By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With 17 seconds remaining and the score 93 – 90 in the Copa Del Rey quarterfinal between Barcelona and Baskonia, Thomas Heurtel, the top player from the Blaugrana, slipped and lost the ball giving an opportunity to Baskonia to potentially tie the match.
Johannes Voigtmann made possibly the worst choice imaginable by taking a 3-pointer under pressure from the corner with 10 seconds to play. He missed. Ante Tomic made one free throw on the other end. It was more than enough.
Barcelona defeated Baskonia 94 – 90 and became the last team to advance to the semifinals while taking revenge for their blowout loss in the teams’ league game.
Heurtel provided scoring (20 points) and playmaking (9 assists) to make up for his six turnovers. He also notched five points in a row after Baskonia tied it 88 – 88 with 80 seconds left.
The Basques, that were down by 10, 77 – 67, in the beginning of the final period, had come back mostly thanks to a phenomenal Tornike Shengelia (30 points, 5 rebounds, 40 PIR) plus Rodrigue Beaubois (22 points). The latter was the one to make the bucket for the 82 – 82 but his team never managed to get ahead.
Ante Tomic provided a strong helping hand to Heurtel with 18 points plus 9 rebounds while Pierre Oriola did a fine job (14 points, 7 rebounds) before getting fouled out.
Barcelona will face Gran Canaria for a spot in the title game. The team from Las Palmas and tournament’s hosts beat Fuenlabrada in the other quarterfinal held today.