McDonald's Championships
on Britball
Da Gama set sail for final
Vasco da Gama earnt a valued berth in Saturdays title game by knocking off Zalgris Kaunus 96-82 in overtime in the first semi-final of the McDonald's Championship.
In the extra period, the South American champions blasted clear with eight of the first nine points. The European kings closed back to within a single points but the samba sound met nothing but net from the free throw line in the closing minutes to put Vasco through.
The Lithuanians have not enjoyed the best of starts to the defence of their Euro League crown opening with a pair of defeats. But with recent American acquisition Corey Beck spurring them on from the point guard slot, Zalgiris rushed out to a 11-2 start.
Using their greater height, the Baltic giants defied Vasco to end the first quarter with a 10 point advantage but they allowed Brazilians to close the half with a 4-14 run which left the game balanced at 40-36 in the European's favour at half time.
The trend re-started in the third quarter as first the excellent Charles Byrd tied the game and then a leap from Rogerio Klafke put his team ahead.
The response was swift and impressive as Beck and centre Mindaugas Timinskas realised a 13-1 spurt to re-assert Zalgris' control.
Both teams played hard defence, an approach which saw no change in the 60-52 third quarter final scoreline until 3:30 into the last stanza.
That basket left Zalgiris ten points ahead but did not remotely break the Latin resolve as minute by minute they edged back.
Vargas dropped a tough drive to level the match with 1:00 to play and when he converted his bonus shot from the line the Brazilians led 72-73. After a series of time-outs it was a tie again and Slalina's final attempt hit the rim to send the game into overtime at 76-76.
1 2 3 4 OT Final Zal 24 16 20 16 13 86 Vas 14 22 14 24 19 92
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