By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With 80 seconds remaining in Game 3 of the EuroLeague playoffs between Panathinaikos Athens and Real Madrid and the score 74 – 78, Anthony Randolph soared for the lay-up only to see his attempt thwarted. The American big guy dived to grab the offensive rebound and gave the ball to Edy Tavares who handed it to Facu Campazzo.
After some dribbles, Campazzo drained the 3-pointer to put his team at a three-possession distance. It was a fitting manner for him to cap some MVP-worthy performances in the playoffs while leading Real to the Final Four.
Real Madrid beat Panathinaikos 89 – 82 in Athens to sweep the series 3-0 and advance to the EuroLeague Final Four for the third season in a row. The “Blancos” will defend their crown near home territory since the Final Four is held in Vitoria, Spain.
Campazzo finished the match with 16 points and a game-high 10 assists for 29 PIR. After draining what proved to be the dagger, the Argentinian guard also hit 4/4 from the line to keep his team safe.
Panathinaikos fell to Real in the EuroLeague quarterfinals for the second season in a row. Behind Matt Lojeski, who scored 14 out of his 16 points in the first 20 minutes, the Greens bounced back from a rough start to take a 41 – 36 lead at halftime. But Real didn’t let them escape and balanced the match in the third period.
Gustavo Ayon then took over with 11 out of his 13 points in the fourth period. With five minutes to go, the visiting squad pulled off some consecutive defenses down the stretch and thanks to back-to-back triples by Randolph and Jeff Taylor, got a six-point lead, 72 – 78. Then Campazzo called game.
Nick Calathes added 17 points plus seven assists for Panathinaikos. For Real, Rudy Fernandez scored 16, Randolph 14 and Taylor 13.