Broken curse: Manresa advanced to European competition quarterfinal for the first time in 50 years / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

"We are not done yet." Chima Moneke said it clear after the BAXI Manresa's success in the Basketball Champions League.

BAXI Manresa / Schedule

Darussafaka Istanbul BAXI Manresa89-84 BAXI Manresa Tofas Bursa85-70

The Catalan team needed a victory to qualify for the quarterfinals, and they did it. BAXI Manresa defeated Tofas Bursa 85-70, finishing the Top 16 in the 1st seed.

Despite shooting 14% from beyond the arc, Manresa was highly better than the Turkish team. Yankuba Sima recorded a superb double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards.

Manresa clinched their spot in the European competition quarterfinals for the first time since 1972 when they played the Korac's Cup.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then.

5,000 people crowded the Nou Congost in what was another hell of a basketball atmosphere.

"It was nice to play here tonight," began Pedro Martinez. "People were pushing us during all game. The players felt them, and they got an extra bonus. You can notice it in things related to an effort like going to the offensive rebound, defense, or full-court pressing."

Manresa's journey is crazy. They got 27 wins in 39 games this season: 16-8 in the ACB League, 9-3 in the Basketball Champions League, 0-1 in the Spanish Copa del Rey, and 2-0 in the Catalan League.

They are among the best four teams in the ACB League (just behind FC Barcelona and Real Madrid). They will be in the quarterfinals of BCL's draw on Friday along with Lenovo Tenerife, Unicaja Malaga, Tofas Bursa, U-BT Cluj Napoca, and SIG Strasbourg. Two tickets are still remaining.

Bilbao's Final Four is waiting for Manresa on the horizon. As Avicii sang, "Wake me up when it's all over,"

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