By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Catalans saved the best for last. After loosing the Euroleague and the Spanish cup, Regal Barcelona got its redemption on Saturday night by beating Real Madrid 73-69 in Game 5 of Liga Endesa finals and winning the championship (3-2).
“This is a title with great value for us, because we beat a great opponent and we had many injury problems throughout the season”, said after the game Barca’s coach Xavi Pascual. Veteran American forward Pete Mickeal with 17 points and 9 rebounds was the key for the win, but Slovenian forward Erazem Lorbek who scored 10 points got the ΜVP title due to his steady performance to all five games of the finals. The question for him now is if he will cross the Atlantic and join the San Antonio Spurs next season. They got his draft rights, but it’s still unclear if he is a part of their immediate plans. American guard Jaycee Carroll was the top scorer of Real Madrid with 16 points.
In France the league title is decided in one single game and it was a one team show at Palais de Bercy. Chalon destroyed Le Mans by beating them 95-76, while dishing 21 assist. Their leader and final MVP, swingman Blake Schilb, had 10 of them and also 20 points and 5 rebounds. Five more players from the winners, Evtimov (15), Tchicamboud (14), Lang (14), Delaney (12) and Aminu (10) scored in double digits. Le Mans’ forward Marcellus Sommerville finished the game with 24 points. Chalon gained a place in next season Euroleague and the good news are that after the game Schilb, who is a target of many transfer rumors, said that his priority will be to remain on the team.
Just before the LNB final, there was the ProB (second division) final game, where Limoges prevailed over Boulazac 87-78. Limoges will play in LNB next season, on Tuesday they will announce the hiring of a new coach and as it is rumored the last days in Greece former Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Giannakis will get the job.