The Super League has a new, 10th member: Titebi defeated Sokhumi in a tense battle today and became the winner of the qualifying series for the Super League ticket. The team trained by Davit Ustiashvili and Davit Artsividze lost the first match of the series with 29-points difference, but thanks to the great fight and a team game, they managed to gain a victory in the second and the third matches.
The meeting turned out really tense. Sokhumi was winning at first, but then, Titebi managed to tie the game. They won the third period – 27:13 and advanced with 12-points before the final quarter. Sokhumi didn’t give up easily. They were able to reduce the difference and the score was 71:72 two minutes before the end. Finally, Titebi showed more accuracy and gained the victory.
Rashad Ransom led the winners with 31 points and 9 rebounds. John Britton scored 18 points. Besik Lezhava had 15 points. Antwan Space accumulated 11 points. Kwan Waller was the top scorer in Sokhumi. Sergo Atuashvili scored 22 points and 11 rebounds.
TSU-Hyundai, which defeated Titebi in the finals, has already moved from “A” League to the Super League. With the decision of the Board of Georgian Basketball Federation, the number of teams in the Super League increases to 10 from the next season.
Davit Ustiashvili – Titebi head coach:
“After losing the first match with 30 points, the team managed to mobilize. We played well in both games with a really good team and I think we deserved this victory. The most important thing was devotion, the boys showed on the game.”
Beqa Chikviladze – Titebi’s player:
“We were losing 1:0 but we managed to mobilize, we worked on our mistakes and won the next two games, which is very exciting. I congratulate the whole team and the board.”
Beso Lezhava – Titebi’s player:
“First of all, I would like to congratulate my teammates, coaches and everyone who supported us. We passed the hard way before the Super League ticket, but we made it at the expense of standing together. Each player has done his maximum and the result is visible. It was a very tense game and I think, the one who made less mistakes, managed to win.”
Gia Kazanjiani – Sokhumi head coach:
“The failure of the series was probably due to lack of experience. My team is composed of young players, except for two. Unfortunately, they could not endure this load. I congratulate Titebi and wish them success in the next season.”
