ARG - Masterful Prigioni carries Baskonia on his back

MURCIA (Liga Endesa) - When Pablo Prigioni is on his game, he controls it like no one else can.

The Argentina playmaker doesn't usually beat opponents with his scoring, but rather his incisive passing and an ability to dictate the tempo.

One sign of a great player is that he contributes even more when needed and that was the case at CB Murcia on Sunday in Spain's Liga Endesa, with Caja Laboral's Fernando San Emeterio unable to play.

Prigioni hit big shot after big shot on his way to a game-high 27 points, and crucially controlled the pace of the game, as Caja Laboral claimed a 75-67 triumph.

The veteran point guard, who will play at his second straight Olympics next year when the Summer Games are staged in London, had 13 of his points in the decisive fourth quarter for Baskonia.

He finished a scintillating five of eight from long range.

"Pablo Prigioni killed the pace of the game in the second half and we could not run," Murcia coach Luis Guil said.

"We tried to stop Pablo in different ways but he put the team on his back and controlled the pace of the game in the second half."

After a Jordi Grimau basket put the hosts in front at 56-54, Prigioni followed with a three-point play.

Grimau went to the other end and buried a three-ball, only for the 34-year-olde Prigioni to accept the challenge and nail one of his own to put Caja Laboral back on top.

When Murcia twice missed opportunities to go back in front on their next trip down the floor, Prigioni made them pay by hitting a three-point dagger.

The home side didn't recover.

"He was the best guard in the league for many years and remains one of the best," Guil said.

"Today (Sunday) he played very smart and has stopped the pace of the game."

FIBA