By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Unicaja claimed victory in the first game of the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinal series by defeating ALBA Berlin in Malaga with a score of 72-69.
Aleksander Balcerowski led the winning team with 15 points, Justin Cobbs added 13, while Killian Tillie scored 10.
For the visitors, Jack Kayil was by far the best with 19 points, while only Justin Bean also scored in double figures with 11 points. Martin Hermansson contributed nine points along with nine assists.
Another Quarterfinal game was decided after a thriller, and the third host managed to defend their home court and move a step closer to securing a spot in the Final Four, which will be held in Badalona.
Unicaja reached a double-digit lead (64-52) early in the final quarter, but ALBA managed to make a comeback. The Germans had several possessions where they could have taken the lead, but they were not precise, and the punishment came through Alberto Diaz, who hit the decisive three-pointer with 47 seconds left (72-67).
ALBA had one more chance after Kendrick Perry missed both free throws with five seconds remaining, but the visitors failed to secure the defensive rebound, allowing Unicaja to celebrate a 72-69 victory.
Unicaja took a 1-0 lead in the Quarterfinal series, which is played to two victories, with the next game scheduled for next Wednesday in Berlin.
Postgame press conference: