ESP - Bilbao end title defense of Barcelona on opening day of Copa

VITORIA (Copa del Rey) - Defending champions Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Iurbentia Bilbao on Thursday with Brazilian national team playmaker Marcelinho Huertas doing much of the damage for the victors.

In Bilbao's 70-69 win, Marcelinho scored 18 points and dished out eight assists.

One of those assists set up Croatia national team forward Marko Banic with what proved to be the game-winning basket with 25 seconds remaining.

Banic's shot gave Bilbao a 70-66 lead.

Slovenia national team guard Jaka Lakovic drilled a three-pointer with five seconds to play but time ran out on the Catalan team.

Dusko Ivanovic, the Barcelona coach, said: "We didn't deserve to win tonight. We must congratulate Bilbao Basket because they have played well from the start.

"We just didn't have the sufficient level. Now everything depends on the quality of the people and the players to look ahead.

"We will have to wait and see if we are capable of bouncing back from this blow. We must fight in the two competitions we have left."

Barcelona are still very much alive in the ACB title race, and they are also in the Top 16 of the Euroleague.

In Thursday's other game, Copa hosts Tau Ceramica won 78-71 over Unicaja Malaga.

Igor Rakocevic had a game-high 19 points for the winners.

Rakocevic said: "The key has been our defense and the confidence the team has had in the final minutes. We are optimistic ahead of Saturday's clash."

Tau Ceramica will meet Basque rivals Bilbao Basket in the semi-finals.

FIBA