By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A true definition of history in the making by Gran Canaria. The team from Las Palmas celebrates winning its first major title ever, after not only beating, but triumphing against Barcelona with the emphatic 79 – 59 in the Final of the Spanish Supercup.
For such a monumental victory to transpire, Gran Canaria performed beautifully, laying out an unstoppable offensive game plan in the first twenty minutes (50 – 39) and then repelling all efforts the Blaugrana made for a comeback, by receiving only 20 points in the second half.
Bo McCalebb (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Eulis Baez (11 points, 6 rebounds) were the protagonists for the new Supercup winners, with 18 points each. McCalebb was particularly sizzling in the first half, when he scored all of his points, hurting the Catalan defense enormously with his penetrations.
Darko Planinic (12 points, 4 rebounds), Sasu Salin (10 points) and Kyle Kuric (10 points) provided important helps to their team as well.
After failing to push back their opponents’ attacks that forced them to trail from early on in the game, Barcelona never found the energy and efficiency needed to come back.
Victor Claver and Juan Carlos Navarro were the only ones who scored in double-digit numbers with 12 points each, while Tyrese Rice, the hero of Barca in the semifinal vs Real Madrid, had 6 points with 2/9 shots and 5 turnovers.