Baskonia continues its good run against Virtus de Scariolo

Baskonia continues its good run against Virtus de Scariolo

Joan Peñarroya's men add their ninth consecutive victory thanks to the good performance of Vanja Marinkovic (22 points)

MADRID, 22 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Cazoo Baskonia beat Sergio Scariolo's Italian Virtus Bologna (90-79) on matchday 15 of the Euroleague held this Thursday at the Fernando Buesa Arena, to add their ninth consecutive victory and confirm the good form of a Basque team that he did not give options to his rival.

Joan Peñarroya's men extended their state of grace, with five consecutive victories in Europe (10/5) and another four in the Endesa League, to settle in the 'playoffs' and push for the 'Top 4'. The good work of the secondary actors Vanja Marinkovic (21) and Maik Kotsar (11) was enough to defeat a combative Virtus.

The Basque team did not need the best version of its toned stars this time, with a low scoring percentage from Markus Howard (7), Pierriá Henry (3) and Darius Thompson (6). For its part, the Italian team once again showed the irregularity that characterizes it so much in Europe (6/9) without getting hooked on the upper gear.

The Spanish coach returned to the Basque capital for the first time since he left the Barça bench in 2014 and presented a very competitive team, but one that was unable to overcome an always superior Baskonia. Thus, after a hesitant start, with a low scoring rate and little effectiveness from the line of 3, the locals managed to prevail in the first quarter (17-14).

Somewhat more successful, the Basques used the second ten minutes to establish themselves and distance themselves on the scoreboard. Now yes, the outside game of the Baskonia team came out again to gain pace in a game that began to lean towards the local side. The defensive solidity (5 blocks) and the successful scorer of Maik Kotsar (9) and Tadas Sedekerskis (8) allowed Joan Peñarroya's men to leave at halftime with a 14 lead (45-31).

A triple by Marinkovic as soon as he returned from the locker room and two baskets by Rokas Giedraitis gave us a glimpse of what was going to be the second half; overwhelming dominance of the locals, despite some visiting attempt to get closer on the scoreboard. The 13 points from Tornike Shengelia, who returned to the arena where she triumphed, were not enough to fall below the ten-point barrier in the third quarter (63-51).

Even so, Sergio Scariolo's men did not stop trying and came to put the locals in trouble. However, the great form of Marinkovic (22) cleared up the doubts of a local team that knew how to control the last moments. Despite reducing the gap to six points with four minutes remaining, the success under the basket and once again its defensive solidity allowed Baskonia to leave the victory at home.

--RESULT: CAZOO BASKONIA, 90 - VIRTUS BOLOGNA, 79. (45-31, at halftime).

CAZOO BASKONIA: Thompson (6), Howard (7), Giedraitis (8), Costello (4) and Kotsar (12) --starting five--; Hommes (-), Henry (3), Raieste (-), Díez (6), Sedekerskis (12), Marinkovic (22) and Enoch (10).

VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLONIA: Teodosic (7), Hackett (4), Weems (6), Shengelia (15) and Jaiteh (6) --starting quintet--; Belinelli (15), Pajola (-), Bako (8), Lundberg (7), Camara (-), Mannion (11).

--REFEREES: Lottermoser, Nikolic and Kardum. No deleted.

--PAVILLION: Fernando Buesa Sand.