By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow swept Zenit St. Petersburg (3-0) while Khimki Moscow fought hard against Unics Kazan (3-1) in the VTB League semifinals and now the stage is set for both winners to face each other in the finals.
The big matchup of the season tips off June 5th in CSKA‘s court and both Moscow residents are thirsty for the title!
MVP
Alexey Shved, Khimki Moscow
As always, Season MVP Alexey Shved delivered in the semifinals series against Unics Kazan. The Russian star averaged 28 points in four games, making an incredible presence as Khimki sealed a place in the finals against feisty Unics.
CSKA Completes another sweep, this time over Zenit
The reigning EuroLeague and VTB League champions are going through a “honeymoon” period this May. Their energy was more than visible in the series against Zenit St. Petersburg, as the Army Team advanced in the finals with one more sweep, even though Zenit showed a tough character in all of the games.
Dimitris Itoudis’ squad managed to outlast the final game of the semis with a tight 69-68 win and sealed its ticket for yet another presence in the final. Now it remains to be seen if CSKA can fight back fellow Moscow competitor Khimki for one more title this season.
Khimki gets it done over Unics
The Alexey Shved-Janis Timma duo worked wonders for Khimki in the semifinals against Unics. The two stars combined 49 points in the 4th and final game that handed their team the ticket to the final. The Kazan side stepped with a victory onto the series, though the tide turned around as Khimki took charge in the following three games.
Of course, we have to pay credit to Unics for being a tough opponent and a solid team throughout the 2018-19 season in the VTB League, even though they didn’t manage to advance in the finals.