It was the 23rd Portuguese Cup won by the ‘incarnates’ who, to reach the final, beat FC Porto (97-93), in the round of 16, and Sporting (96-80), in the semi-finals, and not to forget Ovarense (86-76), in the ‘quarters’.
Imortal, who lost another final, after also conceding in the 2021 decision, against Sporting, left Sangalhos (83-54), Illiabum (70-62) and, already in the ‘final four’, the Lusitania (82 -77). ), before ‘falling’ for the ‘incarnations’.
With Benfica president Rui Costa watching the final at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Sines, the ‘incarnates’ recovered from a 14-point deficit in the first period to 43-35 at half-time, a margin that seemed enough to ‘grab’ for the win, given the nice goal that was achieved in the second period.
But despite the power of Makram Romdhane (17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists) on the leaderboards, Benfica did not continue the huge surge of the second period and allowed Imortal to discuss the game until the last second, having returned to match the match. marker in the fourth period.
It was then worth a point from Toney Douglas at the free throw line, 5.9 seconds from the end.
After five first minutes with high levels of effectiveness from both teams, Imortal finally pulled off a 16-0 partial in about three and a half minutes, in the second half of the first period, reaching a 14-point lead (27-13) , but Benfica recovered in the closing stages to 27-18 in favor of the Algarve.
Benfica’s recovery trend continued in the second period and the ‘incarnates’ took the lead (33-32) with a partial 15-5 in just over six minutes, further widening the gap to 43-35, which during half-time was scored against an opponent who ‘dried up’ the source at 2:30 minutes into the second period and only scored again in the last kick-off of the first half.
Still, the Algarve managed to regain focus and draw in the third period (21-21), keeping them alive in the discussion of the result, trailing Benfica by just eight points (56-64).
Then they needed just four minutes to get a 10-2 partial score and return to tie the game (66-66), discussing ‘point by point’ which side the trophy would fall to.
The game was again tied at 71 and 74, but it only took a Toney Douglas free throw at 5.9 seconds to take the cup to Luz.
The Algarve drew one last chance and Marquise Moore launched within time for two points that could ‘deflect’ the trophy to Albufeira, but hit the brink and Benfica started celebrating its first title this season, having lost the Supercup for Sporting and eliminated by Ovarense in the semi-finals of the Hugo dos Santos Cup.
Play in the Sines Multifunctional Pavilion.
Immortal-Benfica, 74-75.
At halftime: 35-43.
Under the refereeing of Luís Lopes, Sónia Teixeira and José Abreu, the teams lined up and scored:
– Immortal: Terry Nolan Jr. (20), Mojeed Ewuosho (9), Marquise Moore (23), Joshua Ferguson (4) and Earl Watson (9). Emanuel Sá, Jacques Conceição (9), Jonathan Silva and Diogo Seixas also played.
Coach: Inaki Martin.
– Benfica: Aaron Broussard (9), Betinho Gomes (10), Toney Douglas (12), Terrell Carter II (12) and James Ellisor (9). José Silva (3), José Barbosa (3), Makram Romdhane (17) and Tomás Barroso also played.
Trainer: Norberto Alves.
Result March: 14-13 (05 minutes), 27-18 (first period), 32-30 (15 minutes), 35-43 (halftime), 47-60 (25 minutes), 56-64 (third period) , 66-71 (35 minutes) and 74-75 (final result).
Attendance: about 600 spectators
Source: DN
