The champion Rilski Sportist began the defense of its title in the final series of the National Basketball League for Men (NBL) with a victory over the winner of the Bulgarian Cup Cherno more Ticha with 91:68 (27:15, 25:27, 22:10, 17:16) as the host at "Arena SamElion" in Samokov, BTA reported.
It is played up to three wins out of five possible matches. The second match is scheduled for May 26 (Monday) at 7:15 p.m. again in Samokov, and the third is scheduled for May 29 (Thursday) at 7:15 p.m. in the "Congress" hall in the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna. A possible fourth match will be played on May 31 (Saturday) at 7:15 PM again in Varna. If a fifth match is played, it will be held on June 3 (Tuesday) at 7:15 PM at "Arena SamElion" in Samokov.
The hosts from Rilski Sportist took the initiative in the opening minutes and at the end of the first quarter led by 12 points - 27:15. A contested second half followed, in which Cherno more Ticha reduced the gap to below 10 points, but the Samokov team reached a 52:42 lead at the break.
The basketball players of Rilski Sportist did not lose their lead in the second half and controlled the match, taking advantage of their more combinative play and more effective shooting. Before the last period, the hosts led 74:52, and by the end of the match, the Samokov team had recorded their most solid lead of 24 points.
Chavdar Kostov was the most productive player for the victory with 17 points and 3 rebounds. Jure Planinic and Miroslav Vasov scored 14 points each for Rilski Sportist, with the former also grabbing 7 rebounds. For Cherno more Ticha, Michaelin Scott finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists, while Rodney Purvis and Ivan Spirov scored 13 points each.