FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.01.2009 20:09

Barça win local derby (64-68)

Verònica Díez

Regal FC Barcelona have won yet another derby against La Penya, 64-68. Ilyasova robbed a ball in the final seconds and laid the ball on a plate for Grimau to convert the decisive basket.

The latest derby was an intense affair, with the lead changing hands constantly. Xavi Pascual’s side dominated early but the path of the game changed and the second period ended 33-31.

Regal Barça were stronger after the break, and didn’t take long to go back into the lead. Another turn in affairs saw DKV Joventut take the lead late on. Ilyasova, the king of the rebounds today, then stole a late ball and that led to the score that tipped the balance in Barcelona’s favour.

Barça start strong

It was an intense start to the game, and it took a full two minutes before the first score was made, an Ersan Ilyasova free throw. That was the starting point of a thrilling period. Basile and Mallet put home three pointers each, and another was added soon after by Juan Carlos Navarro.

'La Bomba' only managed those three points in the first period, for DKV Joventut were man marking him intensely. So Jaka Lakovic took the responsibility on his shoulders and put Barça into their biggest lead so far with a 2 + 1 in the sixth minute (5-12). The home side was beginning to struggle to keep up, but a three from Pau Ribas and further scores from Moiso and Jagla suddenly gave them hope as the period drew to a close (13-16).

Change of roles

If in the first period it had been Xavi Pascual’s side that enjoyed the control, in the second it was DKV Joventut that showed the more aggression, and also defended far more convincingly.

A 10-3 streak typified this sudden dominance from La Penya. It was at this point that Ferrán Laviña sprung into action. He put his side ahead for the first time with a three (28-27), and then put Joventut four up (33-29). Ersan Ilyasova, with 10 rebounds just in the first half, brought Barça back into it before the break, leaving the score at 33-31.

Barça resurgence

After the restart, Regal Barça, thanks to another score from Ilyasova, levelled affairs on 33 each. The home side responded with conviction. Bogdanovic made it 38-33, but the best of FC Barcelona had yet to come. A 2-15 streak led by a comfortable looking Juan Carlos Navarro, and by Fran Vázquez, forceful on the paint, saw Barça take a convincing lead at the end of the third period, 47-52.

Maximum tension

The final period was an absolute thriller. Navarro was still causing constant danger in the zone, but the real star of this stage of the match was Pau Ribas. With a three and then a two he turned the game unexpectedly around. Ribas was supported in his toils by Hernández-Sonseca, who made it 56-55.

From there on, things could not have been tighter. Mallet gave some hope to La Penya making it 59-55, but the home joy didn’t last for long. After some exchange of scoring, Ricky Rubio made it 64 a 64. That had the Olympic Pavilion on its feet, but Barça had not quite finished yet.

The big moment came 14 points from the end. The score at 64-66, DKV had the possession but an astute Ilyasova stole the ball and supplied it to Grimau who basketed to make it 64-68.