Inspired friends fall before Azoreans

CAB and Lusitânia again faced the CAB Pavilion, but this time in a match counting for the LPB classification. The game took on a special importance for Friends, because the day before Guimarães had lost before Barcelos, and therefore the CAB had the possibility of winning precious points in the ranking. The big question was whether the CAB could overcome the fatigue generated by the departure of the previous day and give a good replica, or whether, on the contrary, fatigue would speak louder. The game started very badly for the CAB team. In fact, the whole first part was little achieved by the group of João Freitas, not only on the merit of the opponent, who presented himself much more determined than the men of the house, but also because the Madeiran athletes committed many failures, especially in the defense chapter. The defensive spins, which had been so effective in the game of the previous day, were not freaking out, with Lusitania, taking advantage, and well, of the Friends' open to make releases. Cab was also being dominated in the struggle for the leaps, with Lusitania's men enjoying precious second releases. Already in the attack, the Friends were not able to impose the rhythm or their game model. On the contrary, the launch selection was being weak and the men's shots from the house were always made either quickly or under the opponent's pressure. Fabio Lima's and Aaron Anderson's occasional inspiration still held the CAB in the race, but in realtime, the CAB was many holes below what was expected of the team. No surprise, the CAB lost the first period by 14-20 and reached the interval also to lose by 32-42. The second part was more of the same, i.e. a horror film for CAB fans. In the event, the Friends still drew a reaction and managed to reduce the punctual difference to Lusitania to four points. At that time it was still believed that, with determination and even some luck, the Madeiran team would manage to turn the game around and take over the reins of the match. But that is not what happened. Unfortunately for the CAB supporters - and fortunately for the Lusitania supporters - the CAB again committed the marking flaws it had committed on the first stop, reaping the disastrous results it had anticipated. The punctual difference not only increased to fifteen points, but also the Friends could never again impose their rhythm and dominate the offensive avalanche of Lusitania that were on a truly inspired afternoon. In all fairness and merit, visitors reached the end of the third period to win by 50-65 and ended the game with a victory for the 69-81 result.