Alba Berlin celebrated a sovereign victory away from home in Bamberg. (Photo: dpa)
(Photo: Andreas Jura / dpa)
BAMBERG – Alba Berlin and MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg have reached the semi-finals of the playoffs in the Bundesliga with clear victories and meet in the last four.
The champions from the capital won their third of five possible quarter-final matches at Brose Bamberg with 103:70 (61:36) and won their best of five series 3-0. Ludwigsburg went undefeated to the next round with an equally clear 97:79 (58:35) at Ratiopharm Ulm. “It’s going to be a very tough semi-final,” Alba playmaker Modu Lo declared at Magentasport.
Alba Sovereignty in Bamberg
Alba Berlin showed its strength with former series champion Bamberg from the start and already moved away from High Franconianism to 25 points at the break. The third success in the third game for the Berliners was not at all in danger. The best shot by the champion was Oscar da Silva with 14 points. Six other Alba specialists also earned double-digit points. “We found our rhythm in attack and were strong in defence,” Lu said.
Ludwigsburg also had no problem against Ulm after two narrow home wins. After two quarters, coach John Patrick’s side already had a 23-point lead and easily defended the lead over time. Justin Simon scored 20 points for the guests.
For Ulms Per Günther, exiting the playoffs in his 500th league game also meant the end of his active career. The former international player had announced this a long time ago. The 34-year-old playmaker, who moved to Ulm in 2008, scored ten points against Ludwigsburg. The visibly animated Gunther was celebrated with applause when he was last replaced.
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