Madrid passes the general rehearsal in the ‘show’ of Sito Alonso

Madrid resolved their dress rehearsal for the Cup with a trade, which they showed after the break to respond to the intensity of UCAM Murcia and unbalance up to +21 (38-59) a scale that was traveling in balance almost to the equator. From less to more and letting go at the end already thinking about the KO tournament that begins this Thursday. A last quarter that coincided with the Show by Sito Alonso. The local coach put the difference in free throws between the two teams on the scoreboard (29-1 it was even read) and placed it facing the cameras, and so that the referees could also see it, leaning on the fence advertising on the side of the track. All this while his team came back from a certain Merengue relaxation and saw only 6 behind (78-84) with 58 seconds to go.

The coach justified the defeat at Movistar+ by relying on free throws (in the end, 33-12) and left. It played a role in raising their complaint, albeit wrong. Madrid broke with 31 points in the third period and kept their strength. Brilliant fight between Tavares (18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks) and Pustovyi (20+3+2), and again a Hezonja at high altitudes (16+10 for 25 valuation).

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The two teams, after the European postponements due to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, arrived after not playing for a week, something unusual in the current calendar. AND UCAM Murcia’s initial response was not bad, but Madrid’s was somewhat worse, accustomed to playing every two or three days, perhaps with less collective rhythm. He began individual arreones, executing “too many answered shots”as Chus Mateo said. It did not add up as a group. Just one assist in the first quarter and two in the second for a 1 of 6 of three at halftime (4 of 16 at the close).

That lack of cohesion made him concede a 13-4 run, with the Ukrainian Pustovyi tower already on the floor, which turned the white starting 3-10 upside down. With Pustovyi getting on Tavares’ beards and Deck pupating Sadiel Rojas to the post, the duel was in a fist with constant alternatives until the Ukrainian center reached his 14th goal in minute 16 (32-30). From that moment, equality left as it had come, unexpectedly. Real imposed his muscle, Tavares and Yabusele did, and between those four minutes remaining for the intermission and the two following the restart he raised a devastating partial of 0-17 (32-47).

The leader saved his first place (equaled with Barça) on a difficult field, although some still remained to be seen. swerve before crossing the finish line. And that despite the fact that the whites were traveling 21 up midway through the third act (38-59). However, the emergence of James Anderson gave UCAM the ability to respond, a quick 8-0 and later a 12-3 that placed it at 10 (67-77) in full Show of Sito Alonso with the blackboard. Good Thomas Bellas. And still down 16 (68-84) after only three minutes, the locals did not give up: five free throws made and a basket and a three-pointer from Anderson to narrow everything down a little more. At six, 78-84… There was no time left, less than a minute. Madrid will reach the Cup winning, in a streak of seven victories between ACB and Euroleague.