RUS - CSKA, UNICS one win away from the final

MOSCOW (PBL) - Russia international Sasha Kaun had 21 points, six rebounds and three blocks in helping CSKA Moscow to the brink of a PBL play-off final appearance as they beat Lokomotiv Kubin 82-75 to go 2-0 up in their best-of-five semi-final series.

CSKA threw away an early lead to trail at half-time, but came back in the second half as Kaun found his stroke.

Matjaz Smodis added 16 points and Sani Becirovic added 14 for CSKA.

Jeremy Massey led Lokomotiv with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

"Although the game was not very spectacular, we are just pleased to win," said CSKA coach Jonas Kazlauskas.

"Two games in a row so close like this is hard, espectially for the younger players when there is so much pressure in the games.

"That makes me even more pleased that we have received good help from the bench."

UNICS Kazan are also one win away from reaching the final after beating Khimki 62-57 in Game 2 of their series to go 2-0 up.

However, it was far from straightforward as a stunning second quarter from the visitors, in which they outscored UNICS 15-2, meant they had to dig themselves out of a big hole.

"At half-time, we made adjustments, and told the players that they had to come out and show character, play aggressively and not surrender again," said UNICS coach Yevgeny Pashutin. "Again, we played well in defense, holding them to 57 points, despite our own problems on offense."

Marko Popovic led UNICS with 16 points while Zakhar Pashutin added 13.

FIBA