Beşiktaş hosts rival in semifinal series

ISTANBUL

The TBL semifinal playoff series between two Istanbul rivals are tied at 1-1. AA photo

Beşiktaş Milangaz will try to maintain its advantage in the Beko Turkish Basketball League (TBL) semifinal series against Galatasaray Medical Park when the two teams meet in Game Three.

The Black Eagles host their Istanbul rivals at the Sinan Erdem Dome on May 20, three days after claiming a crucial away victory to level the best-of-five series at 1-1.

After finishing the regular season on top spot, Galatasaray Medical Park had the home-court advantage in the playoff series before losing the second match 81-72.

David Hawkins led all scorers with 24 points, while Zoran Erceg contributed with 21 points as Beşiktaş got the away win.

Boris Savovic led Galatasaray with 17 points, but his efforts were not enough for the win.

“Those series are never easy. That’s why they are played over five games,” Galatasaray coach Oktay Mahmuti said after the loss. “It was not a game that we played well. Unfortunately we played with our hearts more than our minds.”

Beşiktaş forward Serhat Çetin said that the club wanted to finish the series after two games that will be played in front of their fans.

“We stole the home-court advantage now,” he said. “Now we are going to play in our court. Now it is in our hands. We want to finish the series with two wins at home to advance to the final.”

The series will move to the Abdi İpekçi Arena again for the fifth match if needed.

Banvit is playing against Anadolu Efes in the other semifinal match. Banvit won the opening match of the series, and the Game Two was scheduled to be played as the Hürriyet Daily News went to print on late May 18.