

U-BT Cluj Napoca and Dreamland Gran Canaria gave BKT EuroCup fans an instant classic as Cluj prevailed 111-113 in a wild overtime thriller with big comebacks, great performances and a late game-winner to boot.
Oh, and the stakes were very high as a top-two finish in the group - and a direct spot in the quarterfinals - was also up for grabs.
“For sure we didn’t expect a game like this. But for sure we will take it,” said Cluj head coach Mihai Silvasan after his team extended its winning streak to five games and a 13-4 record.
That leaves the Romanian side in second place in Group B with one round of games left - one victory ahead of Gran Canaria.
“I am really really proud about the way that my players fought in this game. We were down two main players in our team. But still, we found the resources to play against the deepest team in EuroCup - for sure in our group… We played with courage, we played with heart. We won this game with our character. I am really proud of my players. I am speechless.”
Already playing without starters DJ Seeley and Karel Guzman, who average 22.3 points per game combined, Cluj’s outlook seemed bleak in the first quarter as it trailed by 19 points and was down 37-20 after 10 minutes. Silvasan’s men fought back and tied the game just before the end of the first half. The game was tight throughout the third quarter and Cluj was up by 8 points in the fourth, but could not hold the lead. The game went to overtime and Cluj fans had to watch in disbelief as 2 Nicolas Brussino three-pointers evened the game with 7.5 seconds left.
That left the heroics to Cluj big man Emanuel Cate, who got into space after an Adam Mokoka missed layup to tip in the game-winner with 2 seconds to go.
“We didn’t come here to give up. We did our best. We gave our everything. Fortunately, it was enough to win. I am very proud of my teammates. We fought until the last drop of energy. And we got rewarded for our work,” said Cate, who finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks for an index rating of 38.
Both the points and PIR were new personal records for the 26-year-old.
Cate made all 9 of his shots - including making his first three-point attempt of the season - as Cluj shot 75.0% on two-pointers.
Cate was one of four Cluj players who scored at least 21 points as Jarell Eddie had 24 points, Patrick Richard 23 and Bryce Jones picked up 21 points.
Gran Canaria got an unforgettable performance from Brussino with a career-high 30 points and Andrew Albicy added 20 points and 7 assists in the loss.
But in the end, it was the short-handed and more determined Cluj that won this instant classic.