U-BT Cluj-Napoca is on the verge of semifinals

Therefore, the champion en-titre is a single success of qualifying in the penultimate act of the competition. Internally, U-BT Cluj-Napoca had a 2024-2025 season under expectations, collecting 6 defeats and ranking second at the end of the 30 stages.

Despite the absences, U-BT Cluj-Napoca dominated the confrontations with Rapid Bucharest

However, the white and white recorded two positive, clear results in the series with Rapid Bucuresti and, for the moment, the doubts about their form seems to have been wasted.

The first duel in Barena had a balanced start, but, After Sasu Salin's entrance to the field, the band from Cluj was energized and decisively distanced by opponents. Taking advantage of the game of Tudor Somăcescu, Mihai Măciucă, Deshawn Stephens and Zach Hankins, U-BT Cluj-Napoca dominated and imposed with 107-66.

The victory of the Transylvanians came in the context in which Patrick Richard, the captain of the team, was used, and Zavier Simpson was left again outside the lot, for disciplinary reasons.

“It is a long way to our goal, but we take this victory with us and think about the Saturday match,” said Somcescu before the second duel. The second match found Richard also on the reserve bench, while Simpson took Salin's place in Mihai Silvǎşan's rotation.

The intensity of U-BT was not as high, an aspect that led to several mistakes and faults. Also, although he returned to the lot, in the first half Simpson was a stubborn and did not play.

Experienced DJ Seeley came to the ramp for black and white, while Rapid București was led by Pivot Mladen Armus and the defenders Christyon Eugene and Martin Sotirov.

After a first half won at 9 points (43-34), 20 minutes controlled by U-BT followed. There were also some gaps that caused nervous outings from Silvǎşan, but the winner of the last 4 seasons defeated 86-67.

Măciucă again had a solid evolution (19 points), but the MVP came out the American Zach Hankins (21 points, 10 recovery).

The general score has become 2-0 and U-BT Cluj-Napoca needs a single victory to qualify in the semifinals of the National Men's Basketball League. Match 3 will be played in the Capital on Wednesday, May 7, starting at 8:30 pm.

Mihai Silvășan: “I controlled and enjoy the defense”

“A little more complicated from the point of view of our attack. We have not even had such Flow and we could not mark so many easy points. But I controlled and enjoyed the defense. I took 67 points.

It's normal with the Rapid team now, without their main defender. The effort was, the intensity was. We move on, we take each training step by step, each match and try to be constant in doing things well ”, said Silvǎşan.

“I say that we grow from the match to the match, we manage to develop the small details. We are on an upward trend, in an increasing form. We want to go to Bucharest and close the series,” said cudgel.

What does his developments say? “I thank my colleagues very much, who trust me and my throws. I find myself all the free time. Very important was the collective game and the game with pleasure. A spectacular game, I say, for the fans present. ”

In the next match it is expected that Patrick Richard and Sasu Salin will be on the field.

The results of the other series in the playoff

• CSM Oradea vs. SCM U Craiova: 2-0 (89-72, 101-87)

• CS Vâlcea 1924 vs. FC Argeș Basketball: 2-0 (77-73, 79-76)

• CSO Voluntari vs. CSM Corona Brașov: 2-0 (91-84, 96-90)

Results from LNBM Playout

• CSM Târgu Mureș Vs. CSM Constanța: 2-0 (105-64, 90-65)

• SCM Timișoara vs. CSM Petrolul Ploiești: 2-0 (98-94, 95-84)

• CS Dinamo Bucharest vs. CSA Steaua București: 2-0 (78-74, 99-81)

• CSU Sibiu Vs. CSM Galati: 2-0 (93-81, 96-86)