The OPEL SKYLINERS led comfortably throughout the game until the fourth quarter, when Alba Berlin took only two leads by baskets by Gerald Brown and Jovo Stanojevic, but lost in the end on the winning basket by American Chris Williams. "We started very bad and we couldn´t really get back into the game. When we did get back into the game, they always had an answer to our comebacks. In the end, the better team won today", said German guard Stefano "Nino" Garris.
The OPEL SKYLINERS started a new trend in this semi final series, as they started strong by taking a 9 to 0 lead on a three-pointer by Tyrone Ellis and a steal and basket by American Chris Williams. The sensational beginning play of Frankfurt continued in the first quarter, as they took a 18 to 4 lead on a three-pointer by Pascal Roller. Frankfurt had a comfortable lead after one quarter 24 to 14. In the second quarter, the OPEL SKYLINERS continued to play concentrated offense and tough defense. Alba Berlin got closer, but Frankfurt always had an answer. Frankfurt led 36 to 29, after a beautiful pass from Alex King to little-used Miroslav Todic under the basket. "We started strong, but let up a bit mentally in the second quarter, but our defense was excellent", expressed captain Pascal Roller. The two teams entered half time with the OPEL SKYLINERS leading 41 to 32.
The OPEL SKYLINERS continued to play well in the third quarter as Alba Berlin always tried comebacks, but was silenced by a Frankfurt player. Coach Murat Didin did an excellent job putting in the right players at the right moments. One of those players who was able to put thorns into the Alba defense was Mladjen Sljivancanin, who gave the OPEL SKYLINERS a 58 to 45 lead on one of his three three-pointers. He finished with his best playoff performance in 2005 with 11 points At the end of the third quarter, Frankfurt had a 60 to 54 lead. In the fourth quarter, Alba Berlin showed why they have won seven BBL championships, by coming back into the game. Alba Berlin cut the lead to 64 to 62 by a three-pointer by guard Gerald Brown.
However, the OPEL SKYLINERS were always able to respond, first with a basket by Chris Williams and then a three-pointer by Jukka Matinen to take a 71 to 62 lead. However, Alba Berlin shot great at the end, especially from three-point land, where Tanel Tein and Matej Mamic scored. Then, Gerald Brown made a three-pointer, giving Alba Berlin a 74 to 73 lead. American Chris Williams was fouled, but kept his composure and sunk both free throws to give Frankfurt a 75 to 74 lead. Then, Jovo Stanojevic muscled his way under the basket for two points to give Alba Berlin the lead 76 to 75. Nevertheless, then, the MVP of Frankfurt Chris Williams won the game with a basket underneath.
The last seconds were exciting, but Alba Berlin was unable to score, as Alex King got the rebound and the OPEL SKYLINERS were a step closer to meeting Bamberg or Gießen in the final. "I had tears of joy. The ending was really exciting. Chris Williams showed at the end that he has real nerves. This win was a total team effort. Even though we made some mistakes at the end, we stayed together and won the game", said a happy Ibrahim Diarra.
Even though Chris Williams was not the high scorer for Frankfurt, he put up MVP numbers as usual. Williams scored 14 points, had nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Dallas native Tyrone Ellis led the OPEL SKYLINERS in scoring with 15 points and three rebounds. Captain Pascal Roller had 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, but he was so valuable as usual, moving the offense and creating great scoring opportunities. Even though the Bermuda Triangle scored 40 points, the rest of Frankfurt´s players rebounded with 37 points and was a big reason for the win. Forward Jukka Matinen had a strong game with11 points, including three three-pointers.
Coach Murat Didin did not start Badiane or Kruel, rather opting with a smaller lineup, but it paid off, as Alba Berlin could not find a remedy with Frankfurt´s offense. Malick Badiane had eight points and three rebounds and Bernd Kruel had three points. The OPEL SKYLINERS won the rebounding confrontation 31 to 29. Some players like workhorse Chris Williams seemed fatigued at the end, but Bernd Kruel is optimistic about the fitness level of the team. "We were in three five game playoff series last year. The conditioning is good. We will be fit and ready for game four on Tuesday."
Alba Berlin was led by Stefano Garris, who scored 19 points and four three-pointers. Guard Gerald Brown also scored 19 points (3/4 from three-point land), including some important three-pointers down the stretch. Jovo Stanojevic had a strong game, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds.The OPEL SKYLINERS defense did a fabuolous job, containg Szymon Szewczyk to three points and game three killer Matej Mamic to only eight points. If Mamic and Szewczyk struggle in game four, then Franfurt will have a very good chance of winning.
The OPEL SKYLINERS will be looking to solve the jinx of the homecourt advantage, by winning in the Ballsporthalle in game four on Tuesday. Forward Ibrahim Diarra is confident of the chances of Frankfurt. "We have one more game to win. We have the momentum. They have to beat us in our building. It will be a tough game, but we won´t let them beat us." Even though the OPEL SKYLINERS lost at home in game two, Frankfurt knows that it can´t give Alba Berlin another chance to beat them in its building. "We have learned our lesson. We will play a lot harder in game four and it will be tough for them", warned Ibrahim Diarra. The semi finals series is becoming exciting like the Quakenbrück series. Ibrahim Diarra would not be surprised if game four is similiar to game three. "The game probably will be very close on Tuesday. I don´t think we will blow them away, but Im confident we will win.´" Game four is Tuesday at 18:45 in the Ballsporthalle in Höchst.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
