FC Porto is the first finalist in the first Final 6 of the Hugo dos Santos Cup. Fernando Sá’s team beat Oliveirense 62-71, under the watchful eye of Mário Santos, future responsible for the Dragons’ sports. The match began with Oliveira de Azeméis’ team quickly imposing physical strength. Joel James (4 points, 2 rebounds) and Darius Carter (15 points) started well and contributed to physical superiority under the boards. This superiority was, in a way, annulled by Ricardo Monteiro. Fernando Sá opted to give more minutes to the ex-Sporting post and he managed to nullify the height advantage that João Figueiredo’s team was putting into play.
However, the third period once again belonged to Oliveirense (Partial: 25-15), riding on the good form of baseman André Bessa (11 points), coming from the bench. There was no shortage of solutions in the team that automatically qualified for the semi-finals, but the ending would prove to be different.
The match ended with an interesting fourth period, as FC Porto went after the result (the match was 55-55) and managed to take the lead through a three-point play by Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber (21 points). The baseman scored in stride and converted a free throw (55-58), forcing Oliveirense to ask for a time-out.
This discount didn’t seem to affect the team’s mood. FC Porto had the North American baseman enter several times and convert from the free throw line, while Charlon Kloof (11 points) also helped to increase the distance. In defense, Ricardo Monteiro was imposing, continuing with several minutes on the field due to the five fouls committed by Miguel Queiroz. Cleveland Melvin III (7 points) was not as perceptive on an offensive level as in the meeting with Ovarense, but he improved on a defensive level
FC Porto is thus qualified for the Hugo dos Santos Cup final, scheduled for 4:30 pm this Sunday, and is awaiting the result of the game between Sporting and Benfica, which will take place later today (6:00 pm), also in Gondomar.
PARTIALS: 13-12, 12-20, 25-15, 12-24.
