7th round of the Superleague finished in Rustavi. Rustavi, trained by Georgios Ketselidis and Gia Kazanjiani’s Batumi played against each other. Batumi had had 4 victories before today and were among the leaders, as for Rustavi, despite a really optimal roster, they had just won 2 out of 6 matches and this meeting was very important exam for them.
Rustavi did a brilliant job though. Despite tha fact, that they lacked the main guard – Otar Pkhakadze, Rustavi still managed to play successfully. They had an advantage throughout the game and retained it until the very end.
Rustavians won the first periof 26:16 and increased the leadership to 14 points in the second one. The hosts were effective both in front and back. Merab Boqolishvili perfectly handled the functions of the guard and were effective in the offense as well. He was very accurate shooting both three-pointers and two-pointers and after the help of Ilia Londaridze, Nikola Tadic and Akaki Dvalishvili, Rustavi became unstoppable.
Tha advantage of hosts reached more than 20 points in the third quarter – 50:39. After that, Batumi started to change tactics and used pressing and long-range shots, which helped them reducing the difference to 10 points in the final period. However, after 3 three-pointers of Nikola Tadic and Saba Lobjanidze, the fate of the match was decided. Batumians didn’t have enough time or recourses to save the game.
Eventually, Rustavi won 100-89 with the lead of Nikola Tadic. Serbian centre-forward scored 18 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Denzel Livingston collected 20 points and 5 rebounds. Akaki Dvalishvili had 15 points, Merab Boqolishvili contributed – 14. Junious Prowell was the most effective with 21 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Rezo Chachanidze scored 21 points.
8th round of the Superleague will be held on November 29 and 30 and December 1.
