By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Similar to the remaining semifinalists, UNICS logged a three-game sweep in the VTB United League Quarterfinals. Jumping to an early double-digit lead and holding on to clinch the 88-79 victory versus Avtodor in Saratov sealed the deal Friday.
Former NBA player Mario Hezonja posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Artem Komolov added 14 points for the Kazan outlet in Game 3 of the best-of-five series. O. J. Mayo and Marco Spissu combined for 25 more points, 13 and 12, respectively. For the losing side, young Russian guard Nikita Mikhailovskii scored 26 points, a personal-best at the senior club level, to go along with seven assists and six rebounds.
CSKA, Zenit, and Lokomotiv Kuban progressed to the next round on Wednesday and Thursday. UNICS completing the VTB Playoffs Semifinals field matched it up with the team based in Saint Petersburg. Xavi Pascual’s side will get the home-court advantage in the best-of-five series, as the second seed. Top-seeded CSKA will take on fourth-seeded Loko. The winning sides of the Semifinals will meet each other in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion, while the losing sides battle in a best-of-five series for third place.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war in Eastern Europe, Euroleague Basketball opted to withdraw the participation of CSKA, UNICS, Zenit, and Lokomotiv Kuban from the 2021-22 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup in late March. All four teams have since been limited to the bottom end of the 2021-22 VTB season.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net