Barça Regal vs Real Madrid: Marcelinho the first play off game hero! (81-80)
Barça Regal took the first game in the Final play off series of the Spanish basketball league with an astonishing comeback in the last quarter, crowned by a three pointer from inside his own half by Marcelinho Huertas. Barça Regal were 17 points down in the third and 12 the beginning of the fourth quarter. Navarro (21 points), Lorbek (18) and Mickeal (17) outstanding for the hosts.
Barcelona (FCB).- Barça Regal won a game they had all but lost with a last gasp three pointer from Marcelinho Huertas that gave them a victory based on an incredible last quarter which they had started 12 points down (54-66) after being 17 points behind at the start of the third. The hard work from Navarro and Mickeal was rewarded with a fantastic three pointer from Marcelinho to make it 1-0 for Barça ahead of Friday evening’s second game with Real Madrid of the Liga Endesa’s Final play off series.
Barça Regal chase the game
Real Madrid made the better start and took a quick 0-5 lead, which Barça Regal turned around with two quick counter attacks. But Madrid were looking comfortable and Tomic and Singler began to open up small leads, scoring 17 of Madrid’s 20 points in the first quarter.
Things stayed the same in the second half and Madrid took a maximum eight point lead (31-39) before Lorbek and Mickeal dragged Barça back to a 37-43 lead at the break.
Madrid take big lead
Barça Regal suffered even more in the third quarter, when their own scoring dried up – scoring just 4 points in 5 minutes, whilst Madrid chalked up 13 points to take a massive 17 point lead (43-60). Navarro led a mini fight back, but as the game went into the final quarter, Barça were 12 points down at 54-66.
Incredible comeback
Xavi Pascual’s men took five minutes to cut the difference to just 10 points and a three pointer from Lorbek and 6 more points from Mickeal left Regal Barça just 4 points adrift at 74-78 with just over three minutes to play. Now it was Madrid who were feeling the pressure as the Palau crowd turned up the volume and a tremendous block from Vázquez and a brilliant three pointer from Navarro took the scores to 78-78. Two free throws from Llull took Madrid ahead again before a touch of magic from Huertas with a long, long three pointer gave Barça an epic and astonishing win.
Barça Regal vs Real Madrid stats:
Barça Regal (15+22+17+27): Huertas, Eidson, Mickeal, Lorbek, Vázquez (starting five), Ndong, Sada, Navarro
Real Madrid (20+23+23+14): Llull, Suárez, Singler, Velickovic, Tomic (starting five), Carroll, Reyes
Referees: Martín Bertrán, Redondo and García González