the final accounts of the regular phase of the Betclic League

the final accounts of the regular phase of the Betclic League :: zerozero.pt

The regular phase of the men’s Betclic League, the main level of national basketball, is closed. With all the games taking place this Saturday afternoon, the scheduling of the play-offs was decided, and the respective duels that we will be entitled to, and also the teams that are on their way to the Proliga, the 2nd division.

The struggle for maintenance

Let’s start with the division descent. Here, it was already known that Lusitânia had been relegated for a few weeks, but it remained to be seen who would accompany them on their way to the Proliga. At the start of this 22nd and final round, there were three candidates, Esgueira, Portimonense and Galomar, all with the same points.

Now, Esgueira, with some surprise in between, won their game, against CD Póvoa (82-88) and took advantage of Portimonense’s defeats, against national champions Benfica (61-105), and Galomar, against Ovarense (89-76) to ensure maintenance. In this way, Portimonense, which was making its debut in the Betclic League, returns to the Proliga a year later, given the disadvantage in the direct confrontation with Galomar

Play-offs defined

In addition to this fight for maintenance, it was still necessary to define the scheduling of the play-offs, although it was already known which eight teams would be present at this stage of the season (lack of set some places). Oliveirense (3rd), Vitória SC (7th) and Imortal (8th) already knew where they would be, but the rest and their respective opponents remained to be defined.

Starting at the top, the fight was between FC Porto and Benfica and both rivals lived up to expectations and won their respective games, against Lusitânia (67-98) and Portimonense (61-105) – as already mentioned. They therefore finished with the same points, but as the Dragons had an advantage in the direct confrontation, they took 1st place and Benfica took 2nd.

Sporting fulfilled and won @FPB

Then, Sporting, who had a somewhat unstable season, also fulfilled their expectations this time, beating Imortal (94-64) and thus secured 4th place in the standings, putting an end to Ovarense’s ambition of reaching that place (they needed to win their game and expect a lion-like defeat). However, this victory for Ovarense also allowed them to cling to 5th place, therefore keeping CD Póvoa in 6th.

This means that the winner of the duel between FC Porto and Imortal will face, in the semi-finals, the winner of the clash between Sporting and Ovarense. In turn, the winner of the duel between Benfica and Vitória SC will face, in the other semi-final, the winner of the clash between Oliveirense and CD Póvoa. The play-offs start on May 10th.