The most dramatic game of the fifth round of Euroleague was held in Cantu where the team of Manuchar Markoishvili and Giorgi Shermadini hosted 2010 winner “Barcelona”. In case of victory, Italians would have made a big step to get among best 8 teams. Players of “Bennet Cantu” showed up on the arena only for victory. “Barcelona” had guaranteed playing in ¼ final but the team fought till the end. Spectators watched the tense game. The first and the third quarters ended up draw. In the last 10 minutes, “Bennet Cantu” achieved one-point advantage. In the second quarter, “Barcelona’ gained two-point positive balance and this handicap turned out decisive.

“Barcelona” won 63:62 (18:18, 17:15, 17:17, 11:12) and won five games in a row in the second group stage of Euroleague.

In spite of failure, Georgian Giorgi Shermadini can be considered as a hero of the game. Center of our national team was not in the main staff though he became the best player of the game. Giorgi played for 32 minutes. He scored 6 2 points (from 10), 2 from 3 free throws. Overall, he collected 14 points. Besides that, Giorgi made 8 rebounds. As for Manuchar Markoishvili, he was in the main staff, earned 6 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes. “Manu” missed both 2 points but scored 2 from 4 3 points.

Unfortunately, the last round of the second group stage turned out formality for “Bennet Cantu”. “Barcelona” and “Maccabi” Tel Aviv are through ¼ final. After 5 rounds, “Maccabi” has 3 victories and 2 failures. “Bennet Cantu” won two games and lost 3 ones. On February 29, “Bennet Cantu” will visit Kaunas and will play against “Zalgiris”.

Gocha Kacharava