By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Cantu had a hard time for 38 minutes against Lukoil Academic, when the Bulgarian champions cut the lead of the Italians to three points (80-77), but the host team of the Euroleague qualifying tournament had the composure and the determination to win.
The final score was 87-79 after 7/8 free throws by Cantu in the last two minutes. Alex Tyus (photo) was the only one who missed, however he was the top scorer of his team with 18 points (8/9 2p.) and also had four rebounds. For the losing side, the American duo of Brandon Heath (21 p.) and Darryl Watkins (18 p., 15 r.) did their best, but it was not enough.
Cantu will face in Thursday’s semifinal CEZ Nymburk. At the first game of the day, the Czech champions got the win against Belgian champions Telenet Oostende almost by 20 points (83-65). The game was decided at the last quarter, when it took five minutes for Oostende to make its first bucket and scored just three points in ten minutes. So, after a hard fought game for the first three periods, Nymburk at the end cruised to the win, Oostende collapsed and has to play this season at Eurocup. The same applies to Lukoil.
The other two quarterfinal couples are Unics Kazan vs. ratiopharm Ulm and Le Mans Sarthe vs. BC Donetsk and they play on Wednesday.