24.10.2010 14:20

First defeat of the season (70-71)

Llorenç Tarrés

Regal Barça suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday, when they went down to a last second point to CAI, scored by the visitors’ Belgian international Van Rossom.

Barça were only 36-35 at half time – a clear sign that something wasn’t quite after they’d made a slow start and found themselves up against opponents who were both accurate and aggressive. Things didn’t change in the second two quarters as CAI forced overtime with two three pointers in the final minute, before Van Rossom’s last gap basket handed them the win and put Pete Mickeal’s 24 point haul into the shade.

Chasing the game from the start

A 12-0 flurry at the end of the first quarter gave Regal a narrow lead after they’d been chasing the game from the start. CAI came with a bold attitude and their great shooting accuracy allowed them to dictate the game, against all expectations.

Aguilar and Hettsheimeir were giving the European Champions plenty of headaches and it took Mikeal, back after missing the Cibona game, Navarro and Ndong to pull Xavi Pascual’s team into a 20-17 lead after the first quarter.

Morris and Navarro put Barça 32-29 up and the team began to move better and tighten up in defence – normally a sign that things are going to plan and the fans at the Palau began to relax and accept the poor start as a simply that. Unfortunately CAI weren’t prepared to follow the script and they struck back to go in just a point down at the break. (36-35). Regal Barça were not at their best, but surely the second half would see them ease to an expected victory.

Defence tightens up

When CAI failed to score from any of their first four attacks of the third quarter, it looked like that was going to happen as Barça’s defence intensified, but it wasn’t working in attack for Barça either and CAI pushed to a 48-49 lead before Mickeal, Vázquez and Ricky put Barça back into the driving seat at 59-51.

Dramatic end

It all looked to be wrapped up, especially once Mikael put in another three pointer, but two long distance efforts from Van Rossom and Quinteros took the game into overtime. Neither team pulled away in overtime, but Sada took three vital defensive rebounds that seemed to have given Regal the game, before at 70-69, Van Rossom gave his team their unexpected win – their first ever at the Palau.