BadalonaNight to tell from generation to generation. The best Joventut in years eliminated Cazoo Baskonia and today (9:30 p.m., #Vamos) will play the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey against Lenovo Tenerife. La Penya, a team full of players trained in the academy, offered a major performance. In addition, the tactical direction of Carles Duran was brilliant.
The Olympic Palace experienced a spectacular atmosphere. La Penya fans responded by creating a rousing atmosphere worthy of the club’s best times. The cradle of basketball put its quiet reputation on hold to let its voice out during the quarter-final tie.
The match started with an upswing for La Penya, who did not find their place during a cruel first five minutes. The green-and-black team missed the first seven shots they attempted against a Baskonia side that knew how to exploit the solidity of Rokas Giedriatis. In addition, Guillem Vives committed two personal fouls in the first changes. The Basque team took advantage of the stage to build a 13-point lead (4-17).
The Badalonian reaction came with the irruption of Pau Ribas. His experience served to calm the game and find better shooting options. His combination of order and roughness stabilized the revolutions. The momentum translated into a 10-0 run that adjusted the score (14-17). The Youth gradually increased their performances, equaling the physical level of the rival. The Catalan team managed to equalize the score 17 minutes into the game (32-32).
Despite missing the points of Markus Howard, who missed all three shots he attempted in the first half, Baskonia scored 42 points through two intense first quarters. Joventut lost a bit of momentum just before the break, when three bad defenses penalized La Penya (35-42).
Hellenson increased his incidence in the game at the beginning of a third period that served for Joventut to recover the deficit of seven points and managed to place himself ahead in the scoreboard (47-44). The concern came when Howard started putting up points. When the American gets into a scoring rhythm, Baskonia’s offensive level multiplies, as rival defenses have to devote a lot of effort to him.
Playing without fear, the Catalans grew with the help of players like Joel Parra. Cheered on by a standing ovation, La Penya opened an eleven-point gap in the final stretch of the third quarter (68-57). Howard’s fifth personal foul dislodged a Baskonia that lost the rebound battle. The difference grew to 17 points with six minutes to go (82-65).
Gran Canaria, eliminated
Lenovo Tenerife overcame Gran Canaria (89-73) and reached the semi-finals much more easily than they had imagined.