BAXI Manresa storms the Palau Blaugrana in a historic match
As it did against Real Madrid five days earlier, the Bages team is once again competing against a great European team. This time, however, Barça fell at home thanks to a Thomasson three-pointer in extra time.
95 Barça I Laprovittola 2, Kuric 8, Hayes 17, Mirotic 20 and Nnaji 10; Sanli 16, Smits 2, Higgins 2, Jokubaitis 15 and Ubal 3
96 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez 2, Thomasson 3, Valtonen 8, Moneke 18 and Bako 14; Francisco 25, Dani Garcia 7, Rafa Martínez, Vaulet 2, Maye 12 and Sima 5
Partials: 17-25, 27-12, 15-23, 27-26, 9-10
The BAXI Manresa 2021-2022 never ceases to give joy to its fans. After suffering a COVID outbreak with up to thirteen positives from the squad and technical staff, on Tuesday they returned to the competition showing a great level and competing head to head with the leader of the Endesa League, a Real Madrid that took the triumph of the Nou Congost only for small details. Only five days later, they faced again in a scenario as complicated as the Palau Blaugrana and, unlike the match with the whites, the coin came face to face in a vibrant match that was resolved in overtime with a three-pointer of Thomasson, who hadn't scored before. Francisco (with 25 points) and Moneke (with 18, 13 rebounds and 6 steals) led a team that had not won at the Palau since October 19, 1996, just over 25 years ago.
Pedro Martínez's team made a better start than their powerful rival and, with a great concentration on both sides of the court, commanded the scoreboard throughout the first quarter. Barça managed to get to a single point, but between Dani Garcia, Maye and Vaulet they nailed a partial 0-7 to close the first quarter (17-25).
In the second the visitors got a maximum difference of ten points, but the home team reacted and, thanks to his success from the three-point line and the intimidation of his young center Nnaji (who was debuting in the ACB), they were able to turn the electronic and reach the break seven points above (44-37).
In the second half, the Manresa team showed their competitive spirit again and did not let Barça escape at any time. And not only that, but they were able to close the third quarter ahead thanks to a Bako dunk in the last play (59-60).
The last quarter began with equality and exchange of baskets, before the Bages team took a nine-point lead five minutes from the end. Barça then showed their potential and leveled the duel again. In the final seconds, Jokubaitis seemed to give the victory to the home team, but Francisco had time to tie and lead the duel to overtime.
In extra time, the visitors hit first thanks to the success of Francisco and were placed with a margin of five points (87-92). As in the fourth period, Jasikevicius's men came back and won by two when Thomasson, who had not scored before, nailed the decisive three-pointer, as Barça could not answer.
If nothing changes, the next game of BAXI Manresa will be at the Nou Congost on Sunday 16 January from 17:00, in a first duel of the second round of the competition that will have Gran Canaria as a rival.