Maccabi had the halftime lead but ended up falling short as Pao completed a comeback in the third. O’Bryant scored 26P for the squad in yellow and blue
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Pargo, Kane, Avdija, Caloiaro and Tyus. Kane connected with a tremendous pass by Caloiaro for a thunderous dunk to give the yellow’s the early lead. Pargo and Tyus continued Maccabi’s dunking fast to an 8:2 lead three minutes into the game. Caloiaro’s free throw kept Maccabi’s
six point lead (10:4) as the first quarter reached its halfway mark. Thomas and Lojeski brought Pao back to within a striking distance (14:11), Langford gave Pao the 21:22 edge but Ray had the final say in the first as Maccabi finishes ahead 23:22.Lojeski opened the second quarter with five points to give Pao the 27:24 lead, Ray and O’Bryant completed a 5:0 run as the yellows take back the lead three minutes into the second quarter (29:27). Langford brought Pao close to the yellows again but Avdija scored his three free throws to keep Pao at bay; Pargo increased Maccabi’s lead to 37:31. Pargo increased Maccabi’s lead to 45:37 with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter, Thomas completed a 4:0 run but Tyus’ jumper gave Maccabi the 49:41 lead at halftime.
Pao started the second quarter with a 10:1 run forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout (50:51), Lojeski increased Pao’s lead to 52:58 with 03:30 remaining in the third quarter. Johnny entered the game and scored five points to bring Maccabi closer to the greens (63:60) as the third quarter came to an end.
Gist scored for Pao at the beginning of the fourth but Johnny answered with a
three point play (65:63). Gist and Pappas increased Pao’s lead to 71:67. Pargo’s free throws kept Maccabi close to Pao (75:70) with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Langford made it 78:70 but Pargo and O’Bryant reacted with five points (78:75) forcing coach Pascual to call for a timeout. Kane tied the game but Lasme and Langford made sure that Pao will remain ahead 82:78 with just over 01:30 remaining in the game. Lojeski made the shooter’s play count from distance (85:78) as he made sure the yellows wouldn’t come back. The greens prevail 87:81.
