One of the big guns of Group B, Pamesa Valencia, arrived to the Slovenian town of Lasko looking for a second ULEB Cup victory on Tuesday. Though it met full resistance from the locals, Valencia was able to hold out for a 78-83 victory against Pivovarna to remain in charge in Group B at 2-0. Valencia paced the game from the first minute, and was ahead throughout, even though Pivovarna rallied in the final minutes. Pamesa was able to solve that situation, however, by the calm hand of its beterans. One of those, Bernard Hopkins, led the winners with 14 points, while Nacho Rodilla added 13. For the hosts, Smiljan Pavic hit 25 and Kenyan Weaks contributed 15. Pivovarna's record fell to 1-1 with the defeat.
The guests started the game with a 4-13 run, but in the following minutes, Pivovarna managed to maintain the rhythm, and at the break the hosts had battled back and were only down by 5, 39-44. A burst in the third quarter, however, put Valencia 14 points ahead in minute 28, 47-61. It was then when Pavic, Weaks and Vladimir Popovic showed that they still had some hidden tricks. The three players started to cut the deficit down little by little, and in minute 34, the score was 60-65. A couple more big shots fell and the tie came at 69 a few moments later. The score was balanced at 74-74 with only two minutes to go. It was then when Pamesa knew how to play Pivovarna, and through Hopkins, Fabricio Oberto and Dejan Tomasevic under the boards, the Spaniards built enough of an edge for there second win to be complete when time ran out.
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Eurocupbasketball.com