“NEPTŪNAS” SUCCUMBED TO “LIETUVOS RYTAS” IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GAME

Being diminished by injuries and illnesses Klaipėda “Neptūnas“ succumbed to the team Vilnius “Lietuvos rytas” in the Vladas Garastas Cup tournament on Saturday in “Švyturio Arena“ with a result of 56:73 (20:20, 15:13, 15:21, 6:19).

The players of Klaipėda started the match better - 8:3, 10:5; however, the first quarter ended in a draw - 20:20. The teams went into half-time with “Neptūnas” being ahead by 2 points - 35:33. After the third quarter the initiative was ceased by the players of Vilnius - 54:50 who in the fourth quarter advanced to a double-digit lead.

In this match on Friday Donatas Zavasckas did not participate against the team Moscow Oblast “Khimki” (the victory was celebrated by the guests with a minimal difference – 81:80) due to a knee injury along with Arnas Butkevičius, who has been feeling feverish these days (increased body temperature).

"Neptūnas" - "Lietuvos rytas" - 56:73 (20:20, 15:13, 15:21, and 6:19).

"Neptūnas": Gilvydas Biruta - 12, Jerai Grant, Travis Bader and Mindaugas Girdžiūnas - 9 each, Daniel Ewing 6, Martynas Mažeika - 5, Simas Galdikas - 4, and Arvydas Šikšnius - 2 pts.

"Lietuvos rytas": Nicolas Laprovittola - 18, Gediminas Orelikas - 9, Antanas Kavaliauskas and Rokas Giedraitis - 8 each, Marius Runkauskas - 7, and Artūras Gudaitis - 6 pts.

Having two victories each, the players of “Lietuvos rytas” and “Khimki” are going to be fighting for the first place in the Vladas Garastas Cup tournament on Sunday at 15:00; and having no victories yet, the members of “Neptūnas” and “Astana” are going to meet for the third place of this tournament at 17:30.

The favorite of the Vladas Garastas Cup tournament is the players of Rimas Kurtinaitis, the team Moscow Oblast, “Khimki”. The latter has lots of ambition in the upcoming Euroleague season; they are even talking about the semi-final matches. The players of Ramūnas Butautas, the champions of Kazakhstan, “Astana” in the upcoming season are going to compete in FIBA Europe Cup and the VTB United League tournament matches; the players of “Neptūnas” and “Lietuvos rytas” - Eurocup tournament and the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) championships.