POR - Reed, Stempin lead Ovarense to second straight title

OVAR (UZO Liga de Basquetebol) - Ben Reed capped an amazing night shooting the ball with his seventh three-pointer 45 seconds from the end as Ovarense beat Porto on Saturday to clinch their second consecutive Portuguese title.

With the game knotted at 68-68, Reed struck from long range to put the hosts in front for good at 71-68.

Julian Blanks and TJ Sorrentine each missed with three-balls after for Porto, and Portugal international center Elvis Evora, who had 10 rebounds to go with his nine points, sealed the victory by adding two late baskets.

Reed, an American, missed just once from the arc and finished with 29 points and six rebounds. He was pipped to MVP honours in the game by fellow American Gregory Stempin, who had 11 rebounds – six on the offensive glass - to go with his nine points.

“Ovarense deserved this,” said Porto coach Alberto Babo.

“This was a great game, principally due to the attitude of the players on both teams.

“Basketball is a team game, but an individual made a difference in this one. Ben Reed killed the game with that three-point shot.”

Indeed, Porto managed to keep this game close despite the superiority of Ovarense on the boards, where they grabbed 45 rebounds to just 30 for the Dragons.

Seven times during the contest, the scores were level – the last time at 68-68. That is when Reed buried his seventh and last three-ball to put the hosts in front for good.

“We showed our Dragon spirit here,” Babo said. “I congratulate my players and I acknowledge that Ovarense deserved this title.”,

Luis Magalhaes, the Ovarense coach, praised the officials for their performance, paid tribute to his opponents and thanked his team’s fans.

He said: “Alberto Babo caused us many troubles, but I have to congratulate our supporters. They know the game; they were tireless. They followed us wherever we have been and they love the game.”

Julio Chitunda
FIBA