We are closing the quarterfinal series in three matches

Main team news

28.04.2024

UNICS inflicted a crushing defeat on Samara away (90:67), won the series with a 3-0 score and reached the semifinals of the VTB United League, where they will meet with Lokomotiv Kuban.

The defending champions allowed the playoff debutants to briefly please the home stands and break away to the maximum 5-point distance at the start of the 3rd quarter (49:44). However, then the Kazan team turned on the fifth speed, powerfully spent the final ten minutes, achieving a convincing «+23» after 3 consecutive hits from behind the arc from Andrey VORONTSEVICH, Marcos KNIGHT and Vladislav ODINOKOV (87:64). The final siren recorded 90:67 on the scoreboard in favor of our guys.

Louis LABEYRIE was the best among the winners for the second game in a row, scoring a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jalen REYNOLDS amassed a collection of 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Neno DIMITRIJEVIC scored 15 more points, handed out 7 assists and added 3 rebounds to them. Marcos KNIGHT brought the team 13 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Erick GREEN has 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Due to injury, center Ismael BAKO did not participate in the match.

In the semi-final series up to 4 wins, the opponent of UNICS will be the finalist of the last season, Lokomotiv Kuban.

Samara (Samara region) – UNICS (Kazan) – 67:90 (20:24, 22:20, 14:20, 11:26).
Samara: Hawkins (12 + 3 rebounds + 2 assists), Gudumak (12 + 3 rebounds + 2 assists), Zagorac (10 + 4 rebounds), M. Kulagin (7 + 5 rebounds).
UNICS: Labeyrie (17 + 12 rebounds), Reynolds (17 + 8 rebounds + + 5 steals + 4 assists), Dimitrijevic (15 + 3 rebounds+7 assists), Knight (13 + 4 assists + 2 rebounds), Green (10 + 5 rebounds).

POST-MATCH COMMENTS:

Velimir PERASOVIC, BC UNICS head coach:

«First of all, I congratulate my players on reaching the semifinals. This is very important for us and was not easy due to the increased level of teams playing in the VTB United League.

I would like to note that in the quarterfinals we played against a good team. During the season, Samara demonstrated excellent, tactically smart basketball with switch in defense. In every match, the opponent created problems for us.

Fortunately, UNICS came up to the playoffs in good shape. The injured players have returned to the roster, and now we look better».

Dmitry KULAGIN, BC UNICS guard:

«First of all, I would like to note the full stands of the Samara Sports Palace this evening and thank the fans for their attention to our favorite game.

In my turn, I congratulate Samara. I wish this club all the best in the future. They have good performers. I believe that the love of basketball that exists in the city contributes to the promotion of the club in the future.

I am glad that UNICS has taken another step towards the goal. Today we showed good basketball. Of course, not for the entire forty minutes of the match, but it's never easy in the playoffs. The mistakes we made caused an even game for three quarters. I am convinced that we will carry out the necessary work to correct it and try to avoid in the future.

So everything is going according to plan. I hope that UNICS will continue to move towards the coveted VTB United League trophy».