By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Novica Velickovic (photo) emerged in the last two games as the leader of Real Madrid and this is something Caja Laboral could not see coming. The talented Serbian forward, who spend the bulk of the season with one foot at the exit door of the club, scored 15 points in the decisive Game 5 win (75-69) against the Basques on Saturday night. Real’s captain, Felipe Reyes almost had a double double (12 p., 9 r.). Mirza Teletovic was the top scorer of Caja with 14 points.
In Italy, Scavolini Pesaro was at the bring of elimination, but stayed alive after beating EA7 Milano 85-77 (1-2). American point guard Ricky Hickman scored 20 points and dished 4 assists for the winners and it was also the point guard of Milan, Omar Cook, who tried his best with 15 points and 4 assists.
In France, Le Man won the first semifinal against Cholet 83-78. The game was decided in the last quarter which had a partial 24-17 score for the home team. American forward Marcellus Sommerville with 21 points and 6 rebounds was the best of the winners.
In Croatia, Cedevita did not give up and beat Cibona on the road 79-70 (1-2) after overtime. Veteran forward Marino Bazdaric had a great game (18 p., 9 r., 3 as.) and Cedevita stayed alive in the best of five league finals.
One more team denied surrender in Poland. In the game that could have been the last of the season, Trefl Sopot beat on the road Asseco Prokom 76-71 (2-3)> Now the series returns to Sopot and anything seems possible. Lukasz Koszarek flirted with the triple double for the winners (20 p., 7 r., 9 as.) and for the home team Lithuanian center Donatas Motiejunas had almost a double double (20 p., 9 r.).