By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A big block over Sertac Sanli was the icing on the cake for Walter Edy Tavares who led Real Madrid to the 89-83 (71-71) overtime win in the final of the Spanish SuperCopa over Barcelona.
With the game on the line, Tavares kept Madrid in front and Gabriel Deck sealed the deal from the free throws line.
Tavares was named MVP after a stellar game that included 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks for a total of 40 efficiency.
Deck added 15 crucial points and Sergio Llull with 14 changed the momentum of the game in the third quarter with three big threes. The only bad news for Real Madrid is Rudy Fernandez’s wrist injury who forced him to stay out in the final part of the game.
“We have won the first title of the season and obviously we are very happy. We haven’t played a good game, but we’ve had heart when we should have had it“, said Real Madrid coach Chus Mateo after the game. “When we were in the mode of being hungry and wanting to win the title, it was difficult to stop us at the end.”
Sertac Sanli with 21 points was the top player for Barcelona, and Nikola Laprovittola with 12 points and 14 assists had also a big night, but in the end, they couldn’t save the day.
Barcelona is still playing without injured stars Nikola Mirotic and Cory Higgins, while Real Madrid is still missing Adam Hanga, Carlos Alocen, and Nigel Williams-Goss.
It was the fifth straight SuperCopa triumph for Real Madrid and the fourth straight against Barcelona in the final.