By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BELGRADE, Serbia – They did it in 2018 after coming up short against AEK in the Semi-Finals, and they repeated themselves six years later after losing access to the Final against Unicaja Malaga.
First MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, and now Peristeri: UCAM Murcia won 87-82 for the bronze medal in the 2024 Basketball Champions League Final Four in Belgrade Arena.
After scoring a total of 4 points in his previous five games with UCAM Murcia in the Basketball Champions League, Ludvig Hakanson led his team in scoring with 22 points over 5/6 from beyond the arc, his best performance in both categories in 35 total games in the competition.
Dustin Sleva had some important buckets down the line, ending with 12 points over a perfect 6/6 at the line. Jonah Radebaugh, who already beat Joe Ragland’s Hapoel Holon with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2022 for third place, ended with 8 points. Troy Caupain, instead, had 12 points and 4 assists.
Joe Ragland led his team with a losing effort of 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. The all-time double-double leader has now scored in double-figures in 54 games in the BCL, as only Giorgi Shermadini (61) and Vojtech Hruban (57) have had more such games in the competition.
Kenny Williams followed the experienced 34-year-old point guard and provided an 18-point losing effort, while Nate Renfro ended his Basketball Champions League campaign with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
In the first-ever clash between the two sides in the Basketball Champions League, Sito Alonso’s team’s 13-2 run in the second quarter looked to be significantly crucial to escape with the victory
Being up by 15 points (44-29) with 1:39 minutes left before halftime, UCAM Murcia seemed to be in control, but Peristeri reduced the gap to four points (70-66) with 6:05 minutes on the clock in the fourth.
Quickly replying with a 2+1 play by Troy Caupain, Sito Alonso’s team stayed ahead until the end in a battle of exchanged three-pointers between the two sides.
Marko Todorovic blocked Nikos Chougkaz’s attempt to tie the game down the line. Therefore, they repeated the bronze medal success of 2018, when they were coached by today’s finalist Ibon Navarro.
“We want to be at the Final Four next year.”
UCAM Murcia’s head coach, Sito Alonso, said that he is happy for the club despite not achieving his goal of taking the throne, but he is determined to take another step next season.
“We dominated the game for 30-32 minutes. We defended excellently, similar to the game against Unicaja. Both teams scored zero three-point shots in the first 20 minutes, which is very difficult, but today we kept our focus because they came back with power and determination. It was very difficult in the last part of the game. I’m super happy for the supporters, but as I said two days ago, for me, it’s not enough. I want to be first, but I cannot deny that I’m happy for the supporters, President Jose Luis Mendoza, and the UCAM family. We need to keep working. This year, we got the medal. Last year, Unicaja stopped us in the quarterfinals, and they are in the final now. We want to emulate them and be here again next year. That’s our goal. Enjoy today, and think of the next Basketball Champions League to arrive at the Final Four again,” Alonso said at the press conference after the game.
Vassilis Spanoulis shared his impressions after the game, emphasizing that it’s not all that bad despite two losses at the Belgrade Final Four.
“There are a lot of positive things. Sometimes, losses are more important than wins as you can take lessons and come back stronger. We didn’t quit and played a hell of a game, coming back from a 16-point deficit. A couple of rebounds and offensive decisions can decide the game at the Final Four. I cannot complain about my players; they did a hell of a job all year. They came here without much experience but full of motivation and hunger. We fought hard. Small details decided. I’m very proud of my team and my players,” Spanoulis said at the press conference after the defeat of UCAM Murcia.
Spanoulis also shared the biggest lesson that he and his players could take from this experience.
“That every possession is important.”
Watch Murcia-Peristeri’s post-game press conference:
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League
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