By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming a sluggish start, Alba Berlin prevailed, 86-76, over Hakro Merlins Crailsheim in the German Cup final held at Berlin Sunday.
Maodo Lo, a 2017 Cup winner with Brose Bamberg, doubled up individual titles scoring a team-high 20 points. His side captured the Cup for the 11th time in team history.
New Hampshire product Jaleen Smith chipped in 17 points. Oscar da Silva had 14 points. Jonas Mattisseck tallied nine points, while Luke Sikma and Johannes Thiemann produced eight points apiece.
T. J. Shorts went for 30 points but was not enough for the Merlins competing for the first title in team history. German guard Maurice Stuckey followed with 14 points.
The team coached by Sebastian Gleim jumped to a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter signaling a potential upset in the game wrapping up the MagentaSport BBL-Pokal Final Four. However, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague outfit dominated after the break outscoring its opponents, 47-33, to get the job done.
Marcus Eriksson (foot), Yovel Zoosman (hamstring), and Louis Olinde (hand) were sidelined for the team based in Berlin guided by Spanish tactician Israel Gonzalez.
Moving past the domestic title, an away game opposite LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in EuroLeague Regular Season Round 27 Thursday. Carrying an 8-16 W-L tally, they sit five games outside the top eight spots awarding a berth to the 2022 Playoffs. In addition, Alba currently ranks fifth in Germany’s easyCredit BBL with the 14-5 record falling one game shy of leading FC Bayern Munich.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net