FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.02.2009 14:12

Team triumph (78-85)

Carles Cascante

Barça have won their sixth ACB game on the bounce at Zaragoza. It was a fine team performance by Pascual’s men with five players scoring more than 10 points.

Regal Barça were almost always ahead at the Príncipe Felipe arena in Zaragoza and dominated CAI who nevertheless still had their chances to stay in the game. Once again Fran Vázquez was the Barça MVP.

Phillip gets CAI back in the game

Regal FC Barcelona got off to a great start with 5 unanswered points from three CAI turnovers. The Catalans attacked well on the break forcing CAI to change its defensive system. From then on CAI forced their way back into the game with Phillip outstanding.

The CAI pivot went for the outside route as Barça dominated the paint and fired in four baskets in a row to put his side ahead at 15-14 with a minute left in the first quarter. But then Pascual brought on Andersen and Vázquez, and the Galician turned the game around beginning with a slam-dunk to finish the quarter at 18 to 24.

Barça ups a gear

CAI maintained the same defensive formation but Barça had learnt their lesson and were soon ahead by 12 after an alley-oop by Fran Vázquez. Barça used solid defence and attacking on the break to good effect.

The bad news in the second period was Lubos Barton having to go off with a leg injury. Barça’s interior game was much superior though just before halftime a 2+1 by Phillip left the scoreboard reading 32 to 43 at the break.

Brilliant Barrett

Three triples put Barça back ahead by 11 at 55-66. Minutes later, Navarro opened the gap up to 15 with a two pointer. The home team was looking woozy and Barça ended the third quarter ahead by 13 after a good basket by Roger Grimau.

In the fourth quarter the Catalans eased up a bit and good play by veteran Lewis cut the lead to just 8 points at 60-68. With seven minutes left on the clock, Barrett came back on court for Sada. The American showed some great touches on attack, made a big turnover and guided the team to a final victory which was more impressive than the final 78-85 scoreline would suggest.