Since that night in Belgrade, a May to travel to the Moon. From that agonizing victory against Partizan, which would be followed by another handful of agonies until the Undécima, a Real Madrid shot. In Gran Canaria, of course, he closed May with another triumph, the eleventh of the month, which gives him access to the semifinals of the Endesa League on the fast track. There awaits the Joventut, who gave the bell and took him out of the way to a Baskonia with which he would not have enjoyed court factor. [81-89: Narrative and statistics]
The Eurocup champion succumbed again to the whites, for the third time in this crazy May, for the second in a row. This time he sold his skin more expensive than in the WiZink, but it was not enough to stay alive in the series. Musa had been a torment and Sergio Rodríguez and Llull ended up deciding, who else.
The first part was a nice slide. Partial here and there. Jaka Lakovic's side overcame the visitors' first escape attempts with an 11-0 lead taking advantage of Tavares' break (Poirier is still low). But soon Madrid answered with the irruption of Llull. Hezonja was given plenty of time in 3.7 seconds to cover the entire court and close the first half with an imposing coast to coast (37-39).
The triples of Chacho
The third act was going to be key. Again because Madrid's partials were too much for the hard-working yellow resistance. Granca managed to get ahead (54-53) and Musa, who was already an offensive cyclone, shot to kill. A 2-14 crowned with a three-pointer from Chacho on the horn (eight meters, after stealing), which sounded like a sledgehammer. On the way back, another three more triples from Sergio Rodríguez -chained 13 points of carrerilla-, another of those who has been incredibly reborn in May, was even more sentence (61-77).
Or so it seemed, because Gran Canaria scrambled with the umpteenth partial to die with their heads held high, to say goodbye with honor to a season that, despite the elimination, has been historic for the Claretian club with the first European title in its history and a ticket to the Euroleague. An impressive 18-2 opened by Nikolic, the latest addition (by the injured Bassas) and capped by a triple from Slaughter and another from Miki Salvó. Chus Mateo had to stop him, press F5 and face the finish line properly. That's where nerves and mistakes appeared. And Llull. No miraculous baskets this time, but with the mettle of the winners.
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