Super League regular championship is over. The 144th meeting of the current Super League was held in Tkibuli. Marneuli agreed with the initiative of Imereti Basketball Federation, Georgian Basketball Federation supported the idea and Tkibuli’s renovated and comfortable Sports Palace hosted the match.
President of the Georgian Basketball Federation – Paata Gurasapauli and federation employees arrived in Tkibuli to attend the match. The Imereti basketball federation and local self-government officials were also present in Tkibuli Sports Palace. The reason of holding the basketball match in Tkibuli on April 5, was honoring the memory of 6 miners and solidarity for their families and the whole city.
In addition, holding a Super League match in Tkibuli will encourage sports life in this city and interest in basketball in teenagers. A few days ago, Tkibuli hosted the final match of the regional championship held by Imereti Basketball Federation. Before the meeting, people in the hall paid a minute silence to the tragically dead miners in Tkibuli.
The match itself did not have a tournament meaning. All the places in the standings of the regular championship were distributed and the future playoff couples were also known. The match turned out to be very tense. The fate of the game was decided at the last minutes. Kutaisi won 96:91. Akaki Dvalishvili led the winners with double-double – 20 points and 10 rebounds. Beqa Beqauri scored 20 points and 5 rebounds. Giorgi Barbaqadze and Dejuan Wright had 15-15 points each. Saba Lobjanidze was the most effective with 23 points in Marneuli. Deondre Ray scored 20 points. Levan Eliadze accumulated 17 points.
Kote Tughushi – Kutaisi head coach:
“I am dissatisfied with the quality of my team’s play, but I am satisfied that this game was held in Tkibuli. Thanks to our rivals, who agreed on this offer, arrived in Tkibuli and I think it was a very special day for this city and Georgian basketball. I will repeat, that I am dissatisfied with my team’s play, especially when we have the Georgian Cup final ahead and we have to correct these mistakes.”
Saba Lobzhanidze – Marneuli player:
“First of all, I’m sorry for the tragedy that happened in this city. It’s good that this game was held in Tkibuli. Kutaisi is a favorite and a very strong team. We did everything to win and we were close to it, but at the end we got tired and lost. Playoffs is ahead and I hope we show you better games.”
