By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Leapfrogging Niners Chemnitz on the standings of Germany’s easyCredit BBL required a comeback win at home for FC Bayern Munich.
Despite trailing in double-digits most of the way and until early in the fourth period, Bayern prevailed, 89-80, on Tuesday. One-way traffic throughout the fourth quarter stretched into scoring the last 12 points of the Regular Season Round 21 affair.
Taking over down the stretch to clinch a fourth consecutive win across all competitions, Serge Ibaka finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. Isaac Bonga registered a game-high 18 points. Devin Booker (ankle) remained on the injury list.
Looking to defend the BBL Pokal title, the team guided by Pablo Laso switches to the Final Four of the domestic cup and welcomes Bamberg Baskets in Munich on Saturday.
The upcoming opponents defeated MLP Academics Heidelberg, 98-83, behind Malik Johnson’s 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Ziga Samar returns to action
Heading to the Cup matchup versus ratiopharm Ulm, ALBA Berlin restored a safe lead down the stretch to beat BG Gottingen, 108-85. Italian imports Gabriele Procida and Matteo Spagnolo shared a team-high 16 points.
Matt Thomas (ankle), Martin Hermannsson (rest), and Louis Olinde (head) sat out, but Ziga Samar (foot) logged his first appearance since late November, tallying two points and six assists over 16 minutes.
Elsewhere, defending champion Ulm routed Veolia Towers Hamburg, 83-70.
BBL Round 21
Basketball Lowen Braunschweig – Syntainics MBC 88-81
Bamberg Baskets – MLP Academics Heidelberg 98-83
ALBA Berlin – BG Gottingen 108-85
FC Bayern Munich – Niners Chemnitz 89-80
ratiopharm Ulm – Veolia Towers Hamburg 83-70
Rostock Seawolves – RASTA Vechta (14/2)
EWE Baskets Oldenburg – HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim (14/2)
Tigers Tubingen – Telekom Baskets Bonn (14/2)
MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg – Wurzburg Baskets (14/2)
STANDINGS: FC Bayern Munich 16-3, Niners Chemnitz 17-4, ALBA Berlin 13-5, Wurzburg Baskets 13-6, ratiopharm Ulm 14-7…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net