“They are going to see us come back, they are going to see us come back”. The scream echoed throughout the Madrid Arena. The Estudiantes fans released all the tension accumulated during the entire semi-final against Tizona Burgos when a brilliant start in the last quarter, With two triples from Francis Alonso and one from Guillem Ferrando, he destroyed the Castilian resistance. It was 71-49. In the end, 86-62 and qualification for the final for promotion. Just one more step, against Hereda San Pablo Burgos or ICG Força Lleida, to return to the Endesa League three years after falling into the hell of the LEB Oro. The people of Burgos say goodbye to the course, but what a course! From the LEB Plata to rubbing shoulders throughout the regular phase with the majors to finally access this Final Four. Period and, surely, followed a project that still has a long way to go.
Estudiantes won by experience. To better understand grief. To put, as Adams Sola said in the previous one in AS, more “intensity”. And, of course, because it has a lot of quality. Even without Johnny Dee, absent due to the birth of his son. In abundance and when it comes together… That of Francis Alonso (19 points, 4 of 7 in triples), who came out to finish the duel in the fourth quarter; that of Leimanis (16, 3 of 7), the cold man who does not forgive one; that of the brave Wintering (11), that of the reliable Ferrando and that of the flying Murphy. And if you add to all that that Sergio Rodríguez decided to appear at the right time… well the balance tipped for the schoolboys (14 points, 3 of 3 from the triple), who suffered an incredible Mario Saint-Supery. What quality in just 18 years!
But only with him, his 12 points and his bravery did not help Diego Ocampo’s team. Lots of turnovers (10) and little success from three-point range (8 of 28). And yet they held on with courage and self-confidence until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Much merit.
Banner displayed, flags and chants in the air. Estudiantes jumped into the game driven by their fans, by Dementia (which is not what it was… it’s even better), infected by it. Serious. Aggressive. No frills. Intense. It was his day, she couldn’t escape. He choked out opposing pitchers. He didn’t let his centers breathe. But it was Tizona that struck first with Seoane. A 0-2. The first and only Burgos advantage in the entire match. To the rhythm, first, of Murphy; then, by Sergio Rodríguez. The Canarian took two hits from the perimeter to place, with the help of Alonso, the +12 (26-14).
Burgos died with losses (3 in 10 minutes). Diego Ocampo did not change the plan despite the adversities: quick rotations, with 10 units being replaced in the blink of an eye. But none like Saint-Supery. The point guard on loan from Unicaja led Tizona’s charge with 9 points at halftime. With him, the differences were reduced to only 3 points (28-25). However, the schoolboys found ways to distance themselves from their rival. Murphy, with a dunk after a long pass from Larsen, increased the distance to 11 (41-30). And Leimanis closed the first half from the triple (44-35). Much to decide. The Estu wanted to break the duel; Tizona did not want to die.
And the third quarter followed the same path. Rivero found Wintering, who threw himself bare chested into the Burgos basket. He scored. He drew fouls. Six goals in those 10 minutes. The point guard put the +16 (53-37). Leimanis lashed out. Burgos was only there in moments. In the figure of Supery, mainly. Something from Pacheco.
Estudiantes broke the confrontation as soon as they left for the last period. Two triples from Alonso and one from Ferrando left Burgos (71-49) without an answer, which also collided with the hardness of Cáffaro, what two badges he put to depress the rival! One less game for Estudiantes to return to the Endesa League. This Sunday, at 6:00 p.m., the final.
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