Friends overtake Sportiva in the first playoff game

In the first game of the first round of the Women's League playoffs, the CAB team received and surpassed the Azorean Sportiva formation by the result of 68-60. The victory gives the Madeirans a 1-0 advantage in a 'series' that is played 'at the best' of three games. The game began badly for the home team, not only because it failed many throws to the basket, but also because it allowed itself to be dominated by opponents in all aspects of the game, losing the first half by 15-20. In the second half, the friends were better, scoring eighteen points and only allowing eight to the opponents. Although the CAB's attack remained very perdulious, the defense made a difference and allowed the Madeirans to reach the interval to win by 33-28. In the third half, the CAB entered better, and, with five minutes played, extended the advantage to the ten (45-35). Sportiva's reaction came soon after, with Azoreans balancing the course of events and putting it at its disadvantage again at five points (51-46) at the end of the half-hour game. In the last time, Sportiva's pressure was very strong, causing the CAB's superiority to be only two points (57-55). Even so, the CAB managed to have an intelligent stance and maintained decisive collective cohesion, winning the partial by 17-14 and sealing the victory by 68-60. The next two games of this round are played in the Azores on 22 and 23 April. The team that achieves two wins will move to the next stage of the competition, which is played between four teams, in a system of ‘all against all’. From these games will emerge the national champion team.