Rustavi broke TSU in the final period

According to the tournament table, the most unequal pair in the quarterfinal series is Rustavi”- TSU. Qvemo Qartli won the regular championship, and TSU went to the playoffs on the 8th place as a result of a big fight. Leaving aside the places in the standings, recent developments have further strained the balance of power between these teams.

After the end of the regular season, several members of the TSU tested positive to the coronavirus, the team was in complete isolation and was unable to properly prepare for the playoffs. Besides, the team’s legionnaire and one of the leaders, Quentine Dove has an injury. And the day before the first match of the quarterfinal series against Rustavi, Archil Puluzashvili got his foot hurt during the training and TSU was left without a defender.

The coach had to put 17-year-old, completely inexperienced Giorgi Meskhi in the starting five, who has so far appeared in only 3 matches with a symbolic time in the current Super League. In fact, TSU had no defense and the team’s tactics were to make long-range shots and quick breakthroughs, which brought luck through 3 periods and Leqso Lapanashvili’s team was leading. 

The university team won the first period 29:20, and for the big break Rustavi reduced the gap to 4 points. In the third period, TSU players, mainly Brandon Sly and Richard Caldwell,  scored three-pointer shots and TSU was again promoted by 9 points, but only temporarily. The coach of Rustavi, Anatoli Boisa, intended to strengthen the defense and turn the 3 second-zone into a battlefield. This tactic was justified and TSU’s leadership soon waned. Rustavi narrowed the opponent’s perimeter as much as possible, while David Okeke and Gegi Bakradze established complete domination under cover, supported by Jylan Washington. TSU lost the lead in the last seconds of the third period and in the decisive quarter, only one – Qvemo Qartli team dominated the court.

Rustavi gained full control over the match, steadily increasing its leadership in the remaining time. Eventually, Qvemo Qartli team defeated TSU 97:77 (Statistics) and advanced 1:0 in the quarterfinals.

Mike Davis led the winners with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. David Okeke scored 22 points and 14 rebounds. Jylan Washington had 17 points and 14 rebounds. Two legionnaired led TSU: Brandon Sly scored 23 points, Richard Caldwell collected 21 points and 9 rebounds. Mikheil Chochua finished the match with 13 points. 

The second match of the quarterfinal series will be held at the Tbilisi Olympic Palace on May 8, at 15:30.