After having won the derby for the championship, Sporting again beat FC Porto, by (66-58), this Saturday, this time, in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Basketball Cup, at the Municipal Pavilion of Albufeira, which hosted the final at 8 of the race this weekend.
In a very disputed and physical game, it was Sporting who came out better, getting a 7 point advantage (13-6), in the first 5 minutes of the game. FC Porto, on the other hand, was not inspired by the attack and having some difficulties in their internal game. The lions won the first quarter by 7 points, 21-14. In the second quarter, Sporting had an advantage of 12 points, but the Dragons reacted by scoring free throws and managed to reduce the disadvantage in the marker, reaching the break just 1 point ahead of the Lions, 32-31 .
Sporting started better in the resumption of the match and FC Porto made more defensive mistakes, allowing the lions an 8-point lead, 41-33. But Landis opens the book of triples and 2-point throws and lowers the Dragons disadvantage to 2 points difference, 41-39. Luís Magalhães’ team responded with a triple by João Fernandes and also came out on top of the third quarter (48-41).
In the last period the lions managed the result. Dragons were more effective on the free-throw line, but found no solutions to counter leonine dominance on offense. At 8 seconds from the end of the match, one player from each team was sent off, Travante Williams on the lions side and João Soares on the dragons side. Diogo Ventura called to the free throw line, scored the 2 throws and closed the game by 66-58.
Travante Williams (17 pts; 3 rtss; 5 ast); Joshua Patton (12 pts; 3 rts) and Diogo Ventura (9 pts; 5 rts; 6 ast) were the highlights of Sporting. On the FC Porto side, Max Landis (16 pts: 1 rts; 1 ast); Rashard Odomes (13 pts; 4 rts; 3 ast) and Charlton Kloof (11 pts; 3 rts; 7 ast).
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