Barcelona stumble in ACB opener against Gran Canaria in Lakovic's debut / News - Basketnews.com

Barcelona suffered an 85-88 defeat against Gran Canaria in the first round of the ACB League.

Credit: CB Gran Canaria Credit CB Gran Canaria

Jaka Lakovic debuted at the helm of Gran Canaria in his first official game.

Ex-FC Barcelona player didn't spare his former team and defeated Catalans in the first round of ACB League, 88-85 (19-21, 29-19, 22-25, 18-20).

Gran Canaria held off Barca's 9-0 spurt in the fourth quarter. Despite that, Sarunas Jasikevicius' men had a chance to win the game but Rokas Jokubaitis stumbled and fell on the floor in the crucial Barcelona attack.

John Shurna was fouled and he fortified the W with two shots from the line, while 2.8 seconds were left on the clock.

The Polish NT starting center, Aleksander Balcerowski, dominated under the baskets and finished the match with 17 points (4/4 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 6/6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and a team-high 22 PIR.

Gran Canaria: Aleksander Balcerowski 17, John Shurna 14, Ferran Bassas 11, Miquel Salvo 11, Damien Inglis 10 (7 REB).

Barcelona: Sertac Sanli 18 (10 REB), Alex Abrines 17 (6 REB), Nikola Kalinic 15 (6 REB), Rokas Jokubaitis 9 (6 REB, 6 AST).

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