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jun 05 2026Asisa Joventut defeats Kosner Baskonia at Badalona Olympic Pavilion to force a decisive third game in the series
Both teams started with the following lineups:
JOV: Rubio, Hunt, Kraag, Parker and Ruzic.
BKN: Villar, Forrest, Radzevicius, Kurucs and Edwards.
The opening minutes showed complete parity, with both teams tied at 5. The balance didn't last long. Joventut began to pull away on the scoreboard, taking advantage of Baskonia's difficulties attacking the 1-3-1 zone (10-5). Facing this run, Paolo Galbiati made a complete lineup change, but it wouldn't help much, as the home team was already steamrolling (14-5).
Kosner Baskonia continued unable to respond to the hosts' defense. The Vitoria-based team also struggled to find offensive solutions. Asisa Joventut dominated with an excellent Cameron Hunt, who with 7 points was commanding his team's offense (17-7). The first quarter ended 25-14. Outstanding performance from the home team, who closed the period with an eleven-point lead, forcing Baskonia to play catch-up from the start. Additionally, they put the visitors in foul trouble (Mamadi Diakité with 2 fouls).
The second quarter began with both teams struggling to score in the opening exchanges. The hosts broke the drought first, and from that moment on, baskets rained down. Paolo Galbiati's team was overwhelmed by the energy and focus of Dani Miret's squad, who dominated the entire quarter (36-19).
The Vitoria team depended on individual plays against the home team's mixed 1-3-1 and 2-3 zone defense. With the hosts' great momentum, the Badalona Olympic Pavilion made its presence felt, cheering on the home team. The visitors managed to improve their situation in the final minute with 8 straight points, to lift spirits before halftime (44-31).
The second half started with Baskonia showing better form in the opening minutes, 48-37. Things improved for the visitors after Joventut temporarily lost Ricky Rubio to foul trouble. Despite losing their floor general, Dani Miret's team stepped up the pace. They dominated in the paint and, controlling the boards, achieved their largest lead of the game, 56-38.
Paolo Galbiati grew frustrated and was called for a technical foul; he tried making changes, including bringing in Tadas Sedekerskis (out most of the season), but it was futile. The Vitoria team ran out of gas down the stretch and the hosts took advantage to build a nearly twenty-point lead, 62-43.
The fourth quarter started with Baskonia fighting for one last comeback chance, 62-47. Galbiati's team wasn't having their day; after their good early run, Kobi Simmons went to the bench with discomfort following a collision. The game became chaotic with a continuous exchange of three-pointers between both teams. Cameron Hunt was especially benefited, reaching 21 points, 68-53.
The three-point barrage turned into heated action on the court with a collision involving Rodions Kurucs, Ricky Rubio and Eugene Omoruyi, following a hard foul on Trent Forrest. After a stoppage to assess technical fouls and cool things down, Kosner Baskonia mounted another strong run to give their fans hope, 70-58. However, Cameron Hunt made it clear he didn't want to disappoint the Badalona Olympic Pavilion fans, who chanted "MVP, MVP!" after he hit another three-pointer to make it 77-58 (27 points on his tally).
With this outstanding performance from Asisa Joventut's shooting guard, the game ended 82-63. A performance that earned him Game MVP honors with: 27 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 3 steals. These stats gave him 27 efficiency rating points. Following this victory, both teams will face off again this Sunday, May 7, at 9:00 PM to determine the series winner and the next opponent of Barcelona or UCAM Murcia.
