Friends conquer sixth Cup of Portugal from their history

CAB and Vagos met in the final of the 48th edition of the Portuguese Cup in women's basketball. The Amigas reached the final after defeating the Azorean team of the Sportive Union on the day before. Vagos had also won the Boa Viagem on the eve, thus stamping the access to the big game that would determine the winner of the most charismatic national basketball trophy. Both teams approached the match with the same feeling: That was the stage of all decisions, where everything could happen, but where only one of the formations would have the opportunity to record his name on the wood that sustains a cup with more than five decades, and thus leave, for history, his name engraved on the list of champions. It was just that: a game for history, a game of all-or-nothing, a game for great women. The CAB entered the game very well and played the first five minutes of the match at a very high level. In the attack, those commanded by John Peter were truly inspired, and in defense, the CAB was managing to stop the opponent's main weapons. At the end of the first ten minutes, the result was 27-11, in favor of the house. In the first half, the most prominent players were Schera Sampson, on the side of the CAB, with 8 points and 5 points. On the Vagos side, Ana Oliveira scored 5 points. In the second period, Vagos was frankly better, which won the second half for the 9-17 part. Vagos' wake-up came from a good exploration of his inner game, where his American pole marked important points, as well as his superiority in the fight for leaps. The instigation of the visitors was not enough to give them the command on the marker, because the interval arrived with the result in 36-28, in favor of the Friends. The third period was again CAB. It is worth noting, at this stage of the meeting, the ability of the CAB to alternate the inner game with the outer game, but, above all, the defensive posture of the team. It was in defense that the CAB made a difference in the match, and from the defense arose very effective and very strong attacks that Vagos felt difficult to stop. By this time, Taj McWilliams already carried 22 points and 9 points, being very well accompanied by Maria João, with 13 points and 7 assists. In Vagos, Korinne Campbell recorded 14 points and 9 points. In the fourth and final period, the CAB Pavilion, which was fully crowded and with lots of people standing, witnessed incredible moments of basketball. Two teams who refused to surrender fought to the end, offered one of the best basketball games women witnessed at the time. Vagos fought with all his strength, but in the end, tactical intelligence, the greatest discernment capacity and the CAB team spirit prevailed. Friends are once again huge and revealing that they are a united, cohesive, disciplined formation with a great sense of delivery. The final result was 73-66, with the CAB lifting the sixth Portuguese Cup in the history of its female team. Congratulations, athletes! Congratulations, John! Congratulations, Ricardo! In individual terms: Cintia France, Catarina Freitas, Ana Jardim, Taj McWilliams (28 points, 14 points, 3 ball robberies, MVP of the match), Marta Bravo (4 points), Maria João (19 points), Carla Freitas (7 points), Schera Sampson (8 points), Carolina Escorcio (7 points).