Regal FC Barcelona and Joventut Badalona will play the big final of the U-16 Spanish Final Round, held in Zaragoza, after beating Canterbury Idecnet and La Caja de Canarias, both from Canary Islands, in the semifinals. The two african duos at the losing efforts weren't enough, with the two catalan squads led by Adrià Cantenys ('95) and Gerard Gomila ('95). Let's check what happened in each contest.
Regal FC Barcelona 56 Canterbury Idecnet 54: Really tied game in the first semifinal of the event, with team coached by Marc Calderon earning the first spot for the big final. Catalan squad needed to fight basiclly against the african inside duo Jonathan Kasibabu ('96) & Bourama Sidibe ('97), who collected 43 points and a 60 valoration (the whole team had 55). A couple of buckets in a row from forward Adrià Cantenys ('95), on of them at 3 points line and with 1 minute remining in the clock, gave the win to FCB. Cantenys, member of the Spain U-16 roster, ended with 19 points (8/19 FG), 8 boards and 4 steals, while Didac Cuso ('95) added 12 points and 10 rebounds but 3/20 FG. 2.05 center Fernando Andrade ('95) also made a good job: 10 points, 6 boards and 2 blocks. For Canterbury Sidibe had 18 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks and Kasibabu 25+8+2.
Joventut de Badalona 75 La Caja de Canarias 53: Canarians arrived to the semifinals with the same weapons as Canterbury and two africans inside the paint. But in this case couldn't battle till the end because both had fouls trouble too early. Mouhamed Barro ('95) and Mohamed Thiam ('95) finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds and 18+8, but not enough. Even in this team another prospect showed interesting skills. Point-guard Joaquin Portugués ('95) scored 6 points, adding 8 boards and 3 assists, but struggled shooting (2/15 FG). But at the other side the main favorite to earn the title sent great sensations to the crowd. Many talented players there. David Iriarte ('95) had 18 points and 7 rebounds in only 18 minutes, while Agustí Sans ('95) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in 19'. But also we must mention forward Gerard Gomila ('95), with a double-double (15pt+11rb), without forgetting intriguing youngster Marc Bauzà ('96). The power-forward nailed 5 points, pulled down 6 boards and put 1 block in 19 minutes. And what about Alberto Abalde ('95)? Another interesting kid.
Photo: Eurohopes (FC Barcelona during a time out in the game against Canterbury).
