Real Madrid

Real Madrid won the first title of the Messina era on Tuesday by defeating Estudiantes in the Basketball Tournament of Madrid. The Whites' performance got better as the game unfolded. Felipe Reyes (tournament MVP) and Louis Bullock (top-scorer) were the best players in the clash.

Amaya Valdemoro Arena presented a full house for the clash between both teams.

Estudiantes had a strong start with a 7-2 run. Real Madrid had trouble adapting to the pace of the game and eventually did so through Reyes and Prigioni. The Argentinean point guard cut distances short before he was benched in favour of Sergio Llull, who put his team in the lead with a lay-up. Estudiantes reacted through new signing Ahearn and won the quarter 17-13.

Driesen put the Madridista defence in dire straits with six consecutive points (27-18) and Caner-Medley gave Estudiantes a 9-point cushion from the free-throw line (37-28). Nevertheless, Real Madrid pulled rank and netted three consecutive three-pointers through Bullock (2) and Velickovic.

Messina used his starting five again after half-time. Felipe Reyes, Travis Hansen and Louis Bullock helped the team lead in the scoreboard again (51-47). Popovic and Suarez kept Estudiantes in the game with several points scored, but a three-pointer from Rimantas Kaukenas enlarged the gap between both sides (58-49).

The score at the start of the final quarter was 62-56 for the Whites. Estudiantes managed to be just two points behind Real Madrid thanks to a successful 2+1 from Dreisen with four minutes to go to the end (69-67). Felipe Reyes and Louis Bullock grabbed the reins of the team and led it to sure victory. The game was sealed with a three-pointer by the American shooting guard and Real Madrid won their sixth consecutive Basketball Tournament of Madrid trophy.