Friends defeated by exhaustion and individual talents of Lisboners

The CAB men's team received Benfica's training in another game to count for the Regular Phase of the Portuguese League. Benfica, the result of the wealth of his squad, left for the game as a great favourite, although the intention was to make life difficult for the Lisboners and leave a good replica inside the field. Note that, before the game, the two teams warmed up with identical T-shirts, which, in front, bore the word ‘RESPECT’ (in Portuguese, ‘respect’), while, on the back, they had stamped the number 8 and the name ‘Mário Fernandes’. The gesture, combined between the two teams, was a symbolic tribute to the late Mário Fernandes, founder of CAB, former player, father of two players (Mário Gil and João Pedro), president of SAD and brother of two other founders of Friends of the Basketball. As for the game, it began on a note of great balance between the two teams. However, from the second half of the first half, Benfica had a rise, fruit especially of the good ball rotation between its players and also of some defensive demerit of the house. So, without much surprise, the first half ended with the Lisboners in front for 13-37. In the second half, everything was different, with CAB in great shape and presenting a very high-quality basketball. Friends were better off in defense, preventing many of the baskets they had granted in the first half. In the attack, the Madeirans were also more effective than the visitors, winning the period by 23-16. But despite the excellent provision of the CAB, the interval came with Friends still at a disadvantage by 36-43. On the return of the locker rooms, the CAB entered at a very strong pace, and, with three minutes of playing passed, tied the marker to 45 points. Three minutes later, a new draw, this time at 52 points, exemplified the balance recorded in the match. In the CAB Pavilion, victory was believed, but in the time that followed, Benfica's individual talents began to appear and placed the marker in 58-68, resulting in the end of the third half. In the four and last period, the CAB team broke down physically. On the contrary, Benfica's individual values continued to make a difference, especially using long-distance launch. Little by little, Benfica spread the punctual advantage over the CAB, which was unable to gather the necessary energy to pressure visitor formation. The final horn brought the victory of the Lisboners by 69-88, a result that is accepted especially due to the individual provision of some of the visiting players, because, in collective terms, the Madeirans were superior.