Kutaisi retained the Georgian Cup in a tense battle

Kutaisi 2010 became a Georgian Cup winner. They defeated Cactus in a tense battle 67:65 at Tbilisi Olympic Palace and became the owners of the Cup. Kutaisi won the previous Georgian Cup and retained this honorable title this year.

As the final report shows, the meeting was quite tense. Kutaisi was leading almost during the whole game, but Cactus managed to make the situation tense in the last minutes. After losing the first period 19:21, Kutaisi tied the game. The team trained by Kote Tughushi improved the defense, they played with good combinations and in many cases, these combinations were ended with Jonathan Lee’s successful attacks.

Veteran players, dignified representatives of Georgian basketball – Maren Kekelia and Sergo Ishkhneli were awarded between the first and second periods. The President of Georgian Basketball Federation – Paata Guraspauli awarded the jubilees with honorary diplomas and national team nominative T-shirts. Zurab Qarabak and Guram Abashidze, who were absent today, will also be awarded with the same gifts.

Kutaisi won the second period 21:10 and went to the big break with 9-points lead – 40:31. Cactus players tried to score enough points with quick attacks that the opponent did not go too far. The Kutaisi players added 2 more points to their lead in the third period and were ahead with 13-points.

Cactus, trained by Archil Jghenti, fought to the end, they improved the defense but Kutaisi was still leading. After Akaki Dvalishvilis 2-pointer, they were winning with 5 points 2 minutes before the final siren – 65:60. Christian Johnson equalized the score – 65:65.

Half minute before the end of the match, Kutaisi players started to attack, Dvalishvili managed to score 1 point, which helped the team to became the leaders – 66:65. Cactus head 20 seconds to change the situation and win the game, but they failed.

Jonathan Lee led the Cup owners with 19 points. Dejuan Wright scored 15 points. Akaki Dvalishvili had double-double – 13 points, 10 rebounds. Christian Johnson was the most effective with 18 points in Cactus. Giorgi Turdziladze scored 14 points and 12 rebounds. Deandre Parks had 11 points.

The award ceremony was held after the match. The Vice-President of the Georgian Basketball Federation, Vladimir Boisa and the representative of the Federation – Zaza Ghonghadze awarded Kutaisi with the medals and diplomas. The best player of the cup was Kutaisi’s American legionary – Jonathan Lee, who was awarded with special prize by Vladimir Boisa.

The Captain of Kutaisi – Giorgi Barbakadze received the main prize – Georgian Cup from the president of Georgian basketball federation – Paata Guraspauli.

Kote Tughushi – Kutaisi head coach:

“I congratulate my team and all Kutaisi fans on this victory. I am very grateful to Cactus for such a good fight. This is a very good team and they have once again proved that. Despite this, I am glad to win this Cup. It was very important victory before the playoffs.”