02.01.2011 14:28

Anderson delivers golden win (63-65)

Llorenç Tarrés (Special correspondent)

Regal Barça overcame the tiredness to hold on to top spot at the Bilbao Arena. Lorbek scored 18 and Anderson got 17, with the new signing getting the new year off to a glittering start.

Three days after the exertions of the win over Real Madrid, Regal Barça defended their league lead at the ultra-modern Bilbao Arena. Katsikaris’ side are not fifth through luck, but it was Xavi Pascual who was celebrating today, while Alan Andersen proved to have been an astute winter signing.

Dreadful first period

The same five that started against Madrid got off to a great start with a 0-7 streak that once again showed how highly motivated this team Is for any game.

But when Mumbrú scored a three, all that good work started collapsing, with Barça struggling hopelessly to command the rebounds and the Bilbao Arena coming to life as the home side smashed home a 12-2 run.

The first period was a nightmare for Regal Barça, but ended with Anderson getting his points for the club from free throws, and then a Sada steal that led to a poor quarter ending 23-14.

Anderson inspires revolution

Anderson’s arrival on court certainly got Barcelona into the shooting positions they had struggled to find until then. He looked confident early on, calling for the ball and taking the initiative as he scored nine almost consecutive points. A twisted ankle put something of a hold on his feisty start, but he was nevertheless decisive in almost every play.

Blums edged the Basques further into the lead, but Lorbek made it 37-31 at the break following a buzzer-beating three that kept Regal Barça in touch.

It was also Lorbek who opened the scoring in the second half, and the same man immediately added a three to make it 37-36 before Perovic put Regal Barça back in the lead (39-40).

The visitors came into their own, and the hope was fading in the terraces until two straight threes from Warren made it 47 each at the end of the third period.

Heads or tails

With cried of "yo-ta-ke" from the crowd, everything was set up for a frantic final period, but it was the European champions that provided most of the magic. Roger Grimau was winning seemingly impossible balls, and Ricky was running the show majestically, but what Barcelona really needed was points.

Because Blums and Mumbrú were almost inexplicably gathering most of the scores for Bilbao Basket and with two and a half to go, Hernández Sonseca’s three made it 63-58. Despite playing the better ball, Regal Barça looked like they could be in form defeat. But that’s when Anderson and Lorbek combined one more time to level things on 63 and it was anybody’s game. Banic missed two free throws for Bilbao, and then Anderson pounced to sneak the dramatic winner. After such a show of skill and determination, the mighty Regal Barça are still top of the table