Barcelona secured a spot in the Copa del Rey semifinals after a hard-fought 91-85 victory over UCAM Murcia. The win was significantly influenced by the surprising return of guard Kevin Punter, who had been sidelined with a recent injury.

Punter’s Miraculous Return

Punter, who was initially expected to be out for two to four weeks with an adductor injury, made a remarkable recovery and played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s triumph. As coach Sito Alonso wryly noted, He has done a good job, it seems like he has played. Punter scored 20 points in 20 minutes of play, turning the tide of the game.

A Battle for the Ages

UCAM Murcia presented a formidable challenge, leading for much of the contest. Dylan Ennis and Devontae Cacok led the Murcia attack, but Barcelona ultimately found a way to prevail. The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth action, with neither team able to establish a significant lead for extended periods.

Key Moments and Turning Points

The game remained closely contested until Punter’s re-emergence. With Murcia holding a six-point advantage with eight minutes remaining, Punter’s scoring burst proved decisive. Barcelona also benefited from the return of Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely, who had been dealing with their own injury concerns.

Semifinal Showdown Awaits

Barcelona will now face Kosner Baskonia in the semifinals. Both teams are described as being lastrados físicamente (physically burdened), but have demonstrated resilience to reach this stage of the competition.

FAQ

• Who won the game between Barça and UCAM Murcia? Barcelona won 91-85.
• Who was the key player for Barcelona? Kevin Punter, who scored 20 points after returning from injury.
• Who will Barcelona play in the semifinals? Kosner Baskonia.