FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.01.2009 14:19

On great form (61-80)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Regal Barça had a great game on one of the most difficult courts in the ACB. Xavi Pascual’s men have shown once more that they are on good form. Vázquez had an outstanding game with 17 points, 13 rebounds and an evaluation of 38.

The game against Pamesa lasted five minutes, the minutes that the Valencian side withstood Barça’s attacks. Barça’s interior game was exceptional, dominating the rebound, and causing al lot of damage in the Valencian hoop. Fran Vázquez with 17 points, Ersan Ilyasova with 12 and David Andersen with 9 wrapped the game up. As always, Navarro showed his quality, with 11 points and an evaluation of 15.

Great defending

The game began with the classic respect that these two teams have for each other. The pressure felt in la Fuente de San Luís was noticable, and the game got underway evenly, and after four minutes it was 4-4.

When Fran Vázquez came on, the game changed. Xantada’s good form was evident, and he made it 4-6 immediately. From then on, except for a triple from the Australiian Nielssen (9-8), Regal Barça just got better, getting a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter (9-19). Vázquez shone, with 8 points and 2 rebounds.

Team game

In the second period, Barça’s game improved. With Sada and Anderson on the court, the Blaugranes didn’t give Pamesa much of the game. Only a 3+1 from ex-Barça player Shammond Williams brought some cheer to la Fuente de San Luís. Then two baskets from Fran Vázquez made it 13-21 five minutes before the end of the period. The rebound was really working for Xavi Pascual’s team, and they brought the score to 29-43 before the break.

Pamesa’s mirage

After there-start, despite two triples from Ersan Ilyasova and Juan Carlos Navarro (29-49), the local side seemed to be making a fresh start, and two baskets from Miralles and two free shots from Shammond Williams gave them a partial 6-0. However, a triple from Jaka Lakovic put things in place (39-56). In the last part of the third period, captain Roger Grimau made his presence felt with three points from a free shot which he basketed. At the end, Regal Barça led 44-63.

Less experienced players come on

With the win already in the bag, Xavi Pascual brought on some of his less experienced players: Barton, Santiago, Trias and Barrett. Barça dominated the last period, with Anderson getting a triple to make it 49-70. The Australian had taken the game from his compatriot Nielssen, and he was one of Barça’s outstanding players. Barça’s interior game worked very well at Sunday lunchtime in Valencia, and a basket from Santiago closed the game at 61-80.