ESP - Girona beaten again

MADRID (ACB) - Akasvayu Girona slumped to their fourth ACB defeat in five games on Sunday after losing 79-77 at Gran Canaria Grupo Dunas.

The EuroCup champions looked to have got over their slump with an 80-76 win over Caja San Fernando last weekend, but they suffered another setback at the Centro Insular De Deportes.

Trailing 24-17 after the first period, Akasvayu managed to get back on level terms heading into the final minute, but a pair of free throws from Sitapha Savane saw hosts Gran Canaria take the win.

Akasvayu are now fifth in the standings with a 19-13 record and although their play-off spot is safe, coach Svetislav Pesic must be concerned about his side's form heading into the post-season.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid remained top of the pile after beating bottom club Bruesa GBC 77-70 on Sunday.

Axel Hervelle led the way for Real with 17 points, nine rebounds and two assists, while former NBA player Michael Bradley paced Bruesa's challenge with game-highs in both points (19) and rebounds (11).

That victory keeps Real just above Tau Ceramica, who also have a 25-8 record after thumping Grupo Capitol Valladolid 103-89 at home.

Argentinian Luis Scola, a gold medal-winner at the 2004 Olympics, was the stand-out player, scoring 25 points, grabbing five rebounds and handing out seven assists to help Tau stay in close proximity to Real.

Third-placed Winterthur FC Barcelona dented the play-off hopes of reigning Spanish champions Unicaja Malaga with 68-51 win at the Palau Blaugrana.

Unicaja still hold the eighth and final play-off spot with a 17-16 record, but they have now played two more games than ninth-placed Estudiantes, who are on 15-16.

In Sunday's other match, Polaris World CB Murcia eased past Etosa Alicante 81-75 with 20 points and 10 rebounds from Marcus Fizer.

FIBA