Joventut was close to complete an amazing comeback against Manresa
Yesterday we had a Catalan derby in the Pabellon Olimpic in Badalona between the local team Joventut and Baxi Manresa. The game counted for Round 27 of the ACB League, and it was also important because of the standings where the two teams are direct competitors for a playoff spot.
Before this round, Joventut had a one-game advantage (15-11) over Manresa (14-12) and with a win, Penya could have finished the round in 5th place in the standings while Manresa could have dropped outside the Top 8. The visitors, coached by Diego Ocampo, entered the game with a better mindset and step by step they started to pull away. They won the first three quarters and by the middle of the third quarter, they already managed to build a 20-point lead (61-41). Everything seemed to be under control for Manresa until Joventut made an incredible 22-4 run in the last minutes of the game. With 38 seconds left, Grazulis scored a basket, and it became a one-possession game (87-84). However, Cameron Hunt kept his cool, and with 15 seconds left in the game, he sank a decisive three-pointer that sealed the game for Manresa.
Retin Obasohan was the top scorer for the winning team, finishing the game with 24 points, while Derrick Alston Jr. added 18 points. For the hosts, veteran center Ante Tomic scored 21 points, followed by Devon Dotson with 15.
With this important win, Manresa climbed to 6th place in the standings, while Joventut dropped to 7th. The two teams now have identical records. The race for the playoffs is still tight with 7 rounds left, as only two wins separate the 5th-placed Barcelona and 9th-placed Baskonia.
Joventut will travel to Murcia in the next round, while Manresa will host Girona.
The article was written by Gratian Cormos, a Romanian journalist, book writer, life coach and mentor currently living in Barcelona, Spain.
If you are interested in collaborating with his website brainbasketball.net, to publish articles, interviews or other features related to basketball or for a marketing proposal, feel free to contact Gratian Cormos by Whatsapp or Telegram at this Spanish number: +34 612414486.
Photo credit: Sport.es
