When Nico Laprovittola is incandescent, he is capable of anything. When his wrist gets hot he can turn a game around on his own. That is why his seven triples and 26 points were fundamental for Barça to break the resistance of Joventut and stand in the final of the Super Cup, which will be played this Sunday (6:30 p.m.) in Seville. As in the three previous editions, the rival for the Barcelona fans will be Real Madrid, who beat Betis in the first semi-final (69-100). Barça hopes, yes, that the result of the previous ones, which always ended with a white victory, will not be repeated.
Against the green and black, Jasikevicius's team was far superior after the interval. Before, Joventut showed a good tone and kept the lead for a stretch. Laprovittola aside, at Barça Sanli stood out (12). Meanwhile, at Penya their top scorers were Ellenson and Parra, with 14.
The game kicked off with a three-point fest. Barça's first four baskets and three of Joventut's first five came from long range. A paradise for Abrines or for Penya's new signing, Guy, who went through the Miami Heat and showed a good trigger. A question of aim, Barcelona was the one that took advantage but Joventut adjusted their defense, diversified their attack thanks to Tomic's inside game and gave their rival a run of 0-12 (12-17). Jasikevicius moved the bench and familiar faces appeared such as Sergi Martínez or Higgins and signings such as Vesely or Kalinic, who had shone on Wednesday in the final of the Catalan League, which was also won by Barça.
But the Penya did not lose gravel and pulled the tactical wealth. Joventut balanced their game. Outside with the launches of Guy and Ribas. Inside, with Tomic and Ellenson. The green and black went up to eight (31-39) while Barça worked on the basis of triples. If they entered, it would come closer. If he failed, he was left behind on the scoreboard (39-46 at halftime).
"You have to play harder," Jasikevicius complained. Meanwhile, Carles Duran asked his men to keep up the pace. Saras's words spurred his players on, and they came back stronger. Laprovittola continued with his success from the triple, scoring three in a row, and Satoransky converted a counterattack to give Barça control after many minutes with an 11-0 run. The bleeding was stopped by the international Joel Parra, but Laprovittola returned to his own, threading one of his streaks, with up to 15 points in the third period. He or he put or assisted, as in a pass to Kalinic so that he also shouted bingo from the three line (63-54). The trend had reversed and it was harder for Joventut to see the hoop (68-60 with a quarter to play). Barça no longer slowed down. He had taken the direct one towards the final.
