The yellows ended a three year drought as they won their 52nd championship with a 95:75 win over Holon. Tyus was awarded with MVP honors with a minster display of 10P, 15R, 4B & 3A, Roll added 15, Cole 13 and Cohen had 18P & 6R
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Pargo, Kane, Roll, Cohen and Tyus. Cohen’s hustle sparked the thousands of fans in the stands as the yellows took the early 8:0 lead forcing coach Shamir to call for a timeout two minutes into the game. Maccabi’s pressure and hustle led to another 5:0 run as the yellows increased their lead to 13:0. Spahija’s squad increased their lead to 17:2 but Holloway reacted from distance to keep Holon in the game (17:5). The yellows increased their lead to 24:5. Rice Jr. capitalized on a shooting foul and a technical foul called on Pargo
enroute of a 7:0 run bringing Holon closer to Maccabi (24:14). Roll’s successful free throw ended the first quarter with the yellows having the 28:17 lead.Tyus and Pargo and Roll made it 36:19 at the beginning of the second quarter. Pnini and Rice Jr. scored for Holon to make it 37:23. Maccabi continued to struggle from the free throw line as Holon came all the way back to 41:29 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Roll and Cole reacted for Maccabi as Tyus dominated the yellow’s aerial space (45:29). Thomas finished the second quarter with a great post up play to give the yellows the 47:31 lead at halftime.
Rice Jr. scored five points for Holon at the beginning of the third, but Cohen reacted with a
three point play (50:36). Rice Jr. and Hamilton scored back to back threes to make it 52:42, Cole scored both of his free throws and then dished a beautiful assist to Tyus who completed the three point play (57:42). Kane and Cole increased Maccabi’s lead to 60:44 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. John-Di and Cole made it 68:47 at the end of the third quarter.Alexander scored both free throws to make it 68:49 at the beginning of the fourth, but Cohen capitalized on an offensive board. Blatt scored a
three pointer but Roll reacted with a midrange jumper to keep Maccabi ahead 72:52. Alexander completed a three point play for Holon who got closer to the yellows (74:59), but Cohen reacted with one of his own to make it 77:59. John-Di and Kane capitalized on two technical fouls called on Alexander to make it 82:62. Pnini’s three pointer trimmed Maccabi’s lead to 84:69, but John-Di scored one of his own to keep Holon at bay as Maccabi won championship number 52 after the 95:75 win over Holon.
