By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With a spectacular Kyle Kuric (24 points, 4/6 3-pointers) running the show, Gran Canaria delivered an upsetting blow to Baskonia in the first semifinal of the Supercopa Endesa, winning 84 – 80 to advance in the title game.
The Basques (Tornike Shengelia 16 points, Adam Hanga and Trevor Cooney with 15 each) ultimately failed to overcome their rotation problems, since they went into battle without key players Andrea Bargnani and Rodrigue Beaubois, while Shane Larkin was fresh out recovering from an injury.
Still, they could have won the game, if not for some wrong decision making and loose reactions near the end. They were even ahead 71 – 70 with about two minutes left on the clock, but Gran Canaria run a 2 – 8 partial score that brought them into a position of strength, marching into the final minute.
Eulis Baez’s then had 2/2 from the line after an offensive rebound and Kuric made both of his own free throws during the final seconds, sealing the game’s fate in favor of the team from Las Palmas.
Apart from Kuric, Sasu Salin scored 12 points and Bo McCalleb had 11 for the winning side.