FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.03.2009 14:14

Third period frenzy seals win (86-61)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça finally got the better of ViveMenorca from the third period. Fran Vázquez grew stronger as the game progressed and eventually sealed 23 of his side’s 86 points.

The basketball side has gone 13 games unbeaten in the ACB, and saw off the second bottom club ViveMenorca by 25 points. Javier Imbroda’s side, led by some fine shooting from Steven Burtt, and several threes, were strong early on but failed to maintain the intensity. Ultimately, Barça and the pressure of the Palau proved too much, and Fran Vázquez was simply outstanding.

And with TAU Cerámica losing at the PICO to iurbentia Bilbao Basket, 85-72, Barça move within one win of the leaders.

Containment early on

Barça flew to 14-4, with two great dunks from Fran Vázquez, but ViveMenorca managed to stay in the game thanks to fortune from three pointers. New signing Steven Burtt, son of the legendary Burtt of the same name, with 10 points including six from beyond the 6.25 line, plus another score from Josep Maria Guzmán meant the first period ended 19-15.

Players like Navarro, Basile and Lakovic just didn’t seem able to find their game, although Xavi Pascual’s side managed to maintain their lead through this slow patch.

Andre Barret, who took over the leadership duties, scored his first two points of the game to make it 33-26 at the break.

More intensity

Things changed immensely after the break, and ViveMenorca were gradually phased out of the game. Juan Carlos Navarro started his scoring early in the period, and those were precisely the points that put Barça’s lead into double figures for the first time.

But despite Burtt’s sterling efforts, the Menorcans could not conjure up much of a response, with a disappointing Pooh Jeter being limited to six points. Sada, Barrett and Lakovic just weren’t allowing Menorca any space.

Faced by a crumbling opponent, Regal Barça went straight for effectiveness and spectacle. Navarro only scored five points of his own, but added 16 from eight assists. But this was really Fran Vázquez’s day. The Galician centre totalled 23 points, and his evaluation score for the day was a remarkable 36.

The third period ended 61-39 and that as good as sealed the match.

The rest of game was more an opportunity for Barça to showcase their skills. An amazing assist from Santiago to Ilyasova, two more threes from the Turk and another score from Barrett meant win number 19 this season for Regal FC Barcelona.

Curiosities

After Gianluca Basile’s star performance in Tel Aviv, the guard didn’t score once today, only gaining thee rebounds and an assist. This was Baso’s 150th game in the ACB and he could also have reached the milestone of 250 triples and 250 assists, but fell one short of both possibilities.

David Andersen started the game, and Barça have yet to lose this season when that has happened.