Second part of claw puts Friends in the final of the Cup of Portugal

CAB and União Sportiva were honored to open the Portuguese Cup Final Four in women's basketball. The host team of the tournament faced what is, in all fairness, the team-sensation of this edition of the Women's League, and both formations approached the match with the determination to move on to the final and thus have the chance to win the most charismatic Portuguese basketball trophy. On a sunny day, with the CAB Pavilion truly dressed as a gala to receive the test, all the conditions for a big basketball match were met. The CAB got better in the game, and in a relatively short time it reached the advantage on the scorer by 11-5. The match ran as a feature for the Friends, who were alternating very well the inner game with the outer game. However, Sportiva's response was not expected, with Jhasmin Player taking over the offensive tasks of the team, launching, penetrating and watching colleagues who were free when the way to the basket was blocked. By the end of the first half, balance was the dominant note, with the 'horn' appearing with the result in 23-20, favorable to those of the house. Note that in this time, the biggest highlight in the house went to Taj McWilliams, with 8 points and 4 caveats. Visitors had in Player their reference player, with 11 points scored. In the second half, Sportiva was much more aggressive than the CAB and more determined to dominate the match. On the other hand, the CAB seemed more passive and inadequate to implement the offensive and defensive movements that had resulted in the first half. Unsurprisingly, at this stage of the meeting, the Azoreans passed to the marker's fent several times. To worsen the situation of the CAB, key players, such as Schera Sampson and Marta Bravo, reported three faults each, forcing the trainer of the Friends to make rotations that did not have the desired effect, either in defense, where the CAB was losing many points, on the merits of the visitors, or in the attack, where the CAB was again not effectively exploiting its 'weapons', also on the defensive merit of the visitors. Near the interval, the CAB had a reaction and managed to score some key points, reaching the interval to win by the minimum margin, i.e. 42-41. Everything was open for the second part, and everything indicated that it was going to be a game of biting nails until the final whistle. It should be noted that, at this stage of the meeting, the MVP player was Silvia Fortunato, from Sportiva, with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 ball robberies. At the CAB, Taj McWilliams led the 'hosts' with 15 points, 6 points and 2 assists. The return of the locker room saw the birth of a new CAB. Adopting a defense to the area, with which Sportiva could not handle, the players of the house made several ball robberies and forced the opponents to several releases under pressure, and therefore ineffective. A fierce defense resulted in attacks, which, contrary to what had happened in the second period, were much better thought out and even better executed. The CAB has become a very difficult team to counter, explore the indoor and outdoor game very effectively and present to Sportiva various problems for which the Azorean team has not found an answer. In winning the period by 27-16, the CAB reached the end of the third time to win by 69-57, with the CAB Pavilion believing, perhaps for the first time in the course of the match, that the victory could be those of the house. At this time of the game, visitors were led by Jhasmin Player, with 26 points and 5 caveats, while those in the house had their reference in Taj McWilliams, already with 25 points, 10 points and 3 assists. In the fourth and final period there was a great balance between the two teams. The fourth half (20-18, in favor of the CAB) denotes even that, reflecting what happened in the field: the CAB trying to continue its good defense and offensive attitude and the Sportiva to give everything-for-all to get to the final and wear the skin of 'Cinderella' of this final phase. However, the CAB team spirit prevailed and the CAB athletes are from 'Happy Birthday', who were all very well demonstrating great cohesion. Regardless of the statistical data, the CAB has today shown that it is a team that is very united and with a great spirit of sacrifice. The end of the meeting came with the marker in 89-75, in favor of the CAB. In individual terms: Cintia France, Catarina Freitas (1 jump, 1 steal ball), Carla Relva (1 jump), Ana Jardim, Taj McWilliams (29 points, 10 caveats, 5 assists, MVP of the meeting), Marta Bravo (10 points, 3 caveats), Maria João (15 points, 10 assists), Carla Freitas (2 points, 4 caveats), Schera Sampson (19 points 10 highlights) and Carolina scorcio (12 points, 5 highlights).