FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.01.2010 19:39

Bilbao have no answer to Regal Barca (65-87)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barca chalked up their 15th ACB win of the season and their 13th on the trot as they saw off Bilbao 65-87 in a game that (8 points and 8 assists), Navarro (22 points) and Lorbek (18 points) showed the way for the leaders.

With their first win of 2010, Barca reaffirmed their great recent form, beating a Bilbao team whose resistance lasted till the second quarter. Barca’s 15th win confirmed their top spot in the ACB.

Rubio in charge

The full house at the BEC(Bizkaia Exhibition Center) saw an intense beginning to the game as Marko Banic led the hosts in a positive start. Navarro replied for Barca and his first three pointer of the night took his team into a 5-10 lead and marked his 712th in his career, drawing him level with Rafa Jofresa in fourth spot in the all time three pointers. Ricky Rubio was providing Navarro, Lorbek and Mickael with the ammunition and even the home crowd appreciated the Catalan’s performance, which helped take them to a 43-25 lead at the break.

Lorbek sees off any comeback

For all Bilbao’s efforts in the third quarter – with Banic and Blums to the forefront, Rubio stamped his authority on the game again and three consecutive three pointers from Lorbek put an end to any hopes the hosts had of reducing the difference, leaving the scoreboard at 44-66 at the end of the third quarter.

Barca took their foot off the gas in the final quarter and Bilbao scored 21 points, but it was too little too late in a game that Barca had wrapped up in the first half hour.