ESP - Third time lucky for defending champions Unicaja Malaga

MALAGA (ACB) - Reigning ACB champions Unicaja Malaga finally got their title defense up and running at the third time of asking on Wednesday, beating Lagun Aro Bilbao Basket 92-79.

After suffering defeats in their opening two games, Unicaja came into the third round of matches stuck at the bottom of the ACB table.

But with FIBA World Championship gold medalist Berni Rodriguez leading the way, the Malaga outfit were able to claim their maiden win.

Rodriguez paced his side with 18 points while Greek international Konstantinos Vasileiadis added 15 points and seven rebounds.

For visitors Lagun Aro, who collapsed in the second half after holding a one-point lead at the midway point, Slovakian Martin Rancik poured in a game-high 18 points and hauled down five rebounds.

Replacing Unicaja at the foot of the standings are Grupo Capitol Valladolid, who slumped to their third successive loss after going down 96-83 at home to CB Granada.

Slovenian ace Samo Udrih produced a mammoth display for Granada, top-scoring with 27 points as well as handing out seven assists.

At the other end of the table, Tau Ceramica and Akasvayu Girona both picked up their third consecutive wins to jump to the summit.

Tau defeated Polaris World CB Murcia 81-65, with Mirza Teletovic and Kaya Peker both contributing 21 points each for the winners, while Akasvayu beat Bruesa GBC 98-85.

A tight game was broken open by the EuroCup side in the second period, which they won 31-20 to take total control.

Hosts Bruesa kept in touch in the second half, losing the final two periods by only a combined total of four points, but the damage had already been done.

Akasvayu4s leading light was German Gabriel, who poured in 25 points -
including five of six from three-point range, while four of his team-mates also
scored in double-figures.

Wednesday4s other ACB game saw Alta Gestion Fuenlabrada edge a low-scoring
clash against Gran Canaria Grupo Dunas 58-43.

There are four more ACB games on Thursday, when erstwhile leaders Real Madrid will look to reclaim top spot and Winterthur FC Barcelona go in search of their first win.

From Mike Perez, PA Sport, Madrid
Exclusively for FIBA