Friends win Olivais and will compete for the national title

The women's CAB team received the Olivais in match for the first Women's League playoff journey. After they had won, without convincing, the Conimbricenses in their stronghold, the CAB wanted to give an image of strength, much more in line with their real capabilities than it had transpared in the less achieved provision of Coimbra. To this end, the Amigas counted on their maximum delivery and dedication to the game, in which there was no room for errors or relaxation. In spite of everything, the CAB got too relaxed in the game, shaking the worst ‘ghosts’ of the game last weekend. The Olivais, equal to himself, took, with merit, the uncharacterized moment of the Friends and won the first period by 4-11. In time, the CAB entered determined to ‘make peace’ with its collective identity. As such, the Friends turned to their great ‘weapon’, namely the defense, and from there they operated the twist on the marker. Forcing no less than 17 ball losses in the visiting team, the CAB embraced the game with dedication and won the second period by 21-9, much more characteristic numbers of the Madeiran team, and reached the break ahead by 25-20. To highlight the good defensive performance of the whole group, to show signs of union and cohesion. In the attack, Ashley Bruner (17) to Carla Freitas (4) were the main references, but all were contributing to better performance. On the return of the locker rooms, and with the game still open, as no team showed signs of giving in, the formation of Olivais was better. With the Friends ‘leaving their guard’, the visitors learned, intelligently, to regain the disadvantage in the scorer and stall the match. Over a long period of time, the scorer recorded a great point balance and it was very close to the half hour of play that the Friends, stimulated by very positive performances of Carolina Escortius, Carla Freitas and Lavinia Silva, jumped ahead of the scorer and ended the period with an advantage of 47-42. In the fourth period, the CAB managed to calm the game and assert its superiority. Without ever seeing their leadership outdated, Madeirans showed good moments of basketball and good collective understanding. Exploring its advantages well, especially the indoor game, the CAB grabbed the moment of the game and let Olivais no longer approach. The punctual advantage dilated, and without surprise, the CAB won the date by 65-55. With the victory over the Olivais, the CAB is present in the finals of the Women's League, which will take place in the Azores. In individual terms: Kristen Mann (6), Joana Lopes (8), Ashley Bruner (30), Carla Freitas (10), Carolina Escorcio (3), Lavinia Silva (3), Sofia Silva (5).