Friends slip, but leave good indications

The men's team of the CAB went to Guimarães to confront Victoria. The game was the first of a double journey that only ends tomorrow afternoon, when the CAB faces Barcelos, but in a match counting for the finals of the Cup of Portugal. In today's game, the first period was played at a very intense pace by both teams. To prove that, the 27-25 partial registered at the end of the first ten minutes, with advantage to the men of the house. Despite the superiority of Guimarães, the balance was the dominant score between the two sets, which ‘fitted’ well, leaving no advantage in the marker. In the second half, the Victoria entered stronger than the CAB and, with 2 minutes of play, extended the advantage over the CAB to 35-27, also the result of small disattentions of the Madeirans, which eventually cost them dearly. Until the break, the Friends tried to respond, but the Victory was particularly effective in the releases of three points (7 converted, to the interval) and with a percentage of implementation in the very good releases (62% effectiveness, to the interval). Therefore, the teams gathered in the locker rooms with the CAB losing by 54-41, a result that did not mirror the great effort that was being made by the Madeirans. In the third half, the CAB did not enter well and the Victoria took advantage to extend the punctual difference, making use especially of the long distance launch. In the enanto, little by little, the CAB gained ascendant and even won partial by 13-20, reaching the end of the period with a disadvantage of 67-61. The six points of difference allowed Madeirans to dream that, with a good fourth period, success in the game would be within their reach. In the last time, those of the house entered well, but the Cab responded, and with three minutes disputed, the result was 74-72, still in favor of the men of Guimarães. Those in the house responded again and, alternating the outside game with the indoor game, again increased the distance from the CAB and increased the point advantage to 85-74, when it was four minutes to play. In the minutes that followed, the game took on a very physical dimension, with moves that came to rub in excessive contact between players. As a result, much of the game came to be decided on the free throw line, taking place a little 'run' game. Victoria eventually managed to resist the various advanced CABs and earned it, winning the match by 97-87. In individual terms: Ricky Franklin (14), Jorge Coelho (6), Fábio Lima (15), Diogo Ventura (9), Jovoni Shuler (20), George Blakeney (8), Stefan Popovski (15).