Real Madrid forgets the penalties against BAXI Manresa
Laso’s team strikes down Martínez’s team at the start of the ‘playoff’
MADRID, 25 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid did not give BAXI Manresa an option (93-76) in the first game of the Endesa League quarter-final playoff between the two, a clear blow to the Whites’ table at the WiZink Center, one win away advance to the semifinals, lifting their spirits after losing the Euroleague final.
Pablo Laso’s team erased the possible bitterness from their minds, for that eleventh European Cup that vanished last Saturday in Belgrade, to focus on the league reconquest. The first stone is a dangerous Manresa, who already won at the Palacio two months ago, but Pedro Martínez’s men punctured bone.
Madrid came on strong, dominating physically, and in the second quarter they even had an advantage of more than 20 points (48-27). Manresa couldn’t get one while Laso’s men enjoyed the pace that gave them a tremendous difference on the rebound. 19-5 were only the captures of the first quarter, with Imperial Poirier.
The French center and his compatriot Yabusele made the break where the company from Manresa fell. In the second quarter, Deck, Llull and Causeur joined the Whites in a good performance, Manresa suffering with a 33% success rate, even worse in three-pointers (3 of 15). The team from El Bages barely managed to appear.
Causeur and a very dosed Tavares allowed Madrid to save the rent, while Pedro Martínez’s men began to assume that the day was not looking good. Francisco, who had more faith, Sima and Moneke gave life to a Manresa that had a lot of work to stop Madrid’s energy and overcome a deficit that did not go down (71-49).
Skimming the Euroleague and dying on the shore, also losing Nigel Williams-Goss due to injury in Belgrade, did not prevent seeing a motivated Madrid and wanting to get even in the League. The last quarter was left without history, although Rafa Martínez entered it as the fourth highest three-point player in the League, with rotation in both teams.
Manresa already thought about rearming for Saturday, where Madrid will seek the semifinals with 2-0. The Whites, with final enjoyment for Juan Núñez, ended with Causeur (17 points and 8 rebounds), Poirier (12 and 9) as the best of a general clean slate in Laso’s charges.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 93 – BAXI MANRESA, 76. (48-29, at halftime).
REAL MADRID: Causeur (17), Taylor (3), Hanga (7), Yabusele (15) and Tavares (2) — the starting quintet –; Abalde (6), Rudy Fernandez (4), Poirier (12), Llull (12), Deck (9), Nunez (6).
BAXI MANRESA: Dani Perez (5), Thomasson (12), Vaulet (8), Moneke (7) and Bako (5) — starting quintet– Francisco (12), Steinbergs (5), Valtonen (-), Rafa Martinez (6), Maye (10), Sima (6), Badiou (-), Naspler.
–REFEREES: Peruga, Cortés and González. Without eliminated.
–PAVILLION: WiZink Center.