FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.10.2009 21:49

Champions start with a win (63-80)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça began their Lliga ACB campaign with a convincing 63-80 win at league newcomers Xacobeo Blu:Sens with a solid performance that maintained their 2009-190 season unbeaten record.

The new season's ACB league began with a game between the team who've played most league matches -1100 and débutantes and right from the start the gap in class between the two was evident, though the Galician outfit never gave up the unequal fight, with Barca owned Nihad Dedovic leading the resistance.

Ricky gets the first points

Ricky Rubio got Barca's first points of the league season to put them 0-2 up and although Dedovic got Xacobeo's first ACB basket in their history and Mark Johnson added to that to take an ephemeral lead, it was Barca who dominated the first quarter thanks in no smallpatr to their powerful bench, with Pete Mickeal and Boniface both featuring in the 21-16 lead after 10 minutes.

With only Dedovic threatening for the hosts, Barac took control in the second quarter with Pete Mickeal again to the fore, chalking up 10 points in the first half which ended 29-38.

Third quarter pressure

Barca maintained their high level of play after the break and once Ricky had forced a third personal foul from Terry, Navarro stepped up with a couple of excellent plays to make it 34-46 and Víctor Sada, Roger Grimau and Fran Vázquez rounded off the third quarter at 43-59.

Xacobeo fightback in vain

Barca streched their lead to 20 points at the start of the final quarter, before Terry and Jackson led a fightback for the locals with an 8 point flurry, but Barca hit back through Navarro and Lorbeck-.voted MVP with 15 points to Navarro's 19 to finish comfortable 63-80 winners.