By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tecnyconta Zaragoza went through to the Semifinals of the ACB Playoffs for the first time after defeating KIROLBET Baskonia, 76-69, and sweeping the best-of-three series. It was an emotional game with huge runs from both sides, but the hosts landed on top to double their wins over the EuroLeague side.
The 28-9 lead in the beginning of the second period quickly disappeared, but Zaragoza never lost touch and regained a commanding lead down the stretch riding a strong fourth-quarter showing. Nemanja Radovic poured a game-high 16 points and grabbed six boards. Javier Justiz followed with 14 points and five rebounds.
Porfirio Fisac’s side now awaits its Semifinals opponent, FC Barcelona Lassa or Divina Seguros Joventut. The Blaugrana lead 1-0 and will play Game 2 on the road later on Sunday. Real Madrid and Unicaja Malaga are also up 1-0 with the former ready for an away game against BAXI Manresa and the latter hosting Valencia.
For Baskonia, the 2018-19 season ended earlier than expected. Scoring just four points in the first half of the final quarter turned their big comeback into a distant memory. Jayson Granger had 14 points, Tornike Shengelia had 12 and Johannes Voigtmann 10, but Velimir Perasovic’s side was eliminated from the ACB Playoffs.