By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona got ahead with as many as 27 points in the final period of the game after an intense battle with Alba Berlin before grabbing a 103-84 victory in Round 3 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and stays undefeated.
“We played against a team that has played together for a long time. Last season, you would say that if you beat Zalgiris in Kaunas, you would say that we won, but it was difficult – and yesterday, Madrid lost that game. That means that the EuroLeague teams are the best that we have in Europe and (we) need time to get in our rhythm, on defense, on offense. You don’t play against a team that came here to visit. They want to compete and showed big character and good basketball. Playing against a team like ALBA is not an easy job for us”, commented Svetislav Pesic after the game.
Cory Higgins changed the momentum of the game right when the German side started trimming Barca’s double-digit lead in the second half and exited the game with 22 points, three rebounds and two assists. Alongside Higgins, Nikola Mirotic contributed 18 points in Barcelona’s third victory for this season.
Alba took a 25-19 lead at the end of the first period until the hosts managed to cover the deficit and get ahead for the first time. The celebrations didn’t last long, as the Germans managed to stay close while the teams headed to the lockers at 46-44.
After many ups and downs in the second half, Barcelona found the right pace in the game, and with the help of Abrines (8 pts) and Oriola (8 pts) in the final quarter, they sealed a great victory.
Reneses: “I am sure Barcelona will play even better”
The game was also kind of a homecoming for legendary Spanish coach Aito Garcia Reneses. The 72 years old coach who is currently sitting on ALBA’s bench, has also spent many years with Barcelona and he couldn’t hide his pride upon his return, even as an opponent.
Photo credit: Twitter / Barca Basket