ACB Liga Endesa: 2 remain unbeaten

It was a busy weekend of Spanish ACB Liga Endesa action and through round five of the competition there are just two clubs with 100% records. Real Madrid and Fuenlabrada take the honour of undefeated to another week, but the chasing pack continued to put pressure on the leaders.

Fuenlabrada is the surprise package of the ACB Liga Endesa, so far. The club continued its hot streak with a hard-fought 70-73 road win over Real Betis. The hosts led by 8 points through thirty minutes, but Fuenlabrada took the win with a 21-10 fourth act. Real Madrid kept pace with its own 5-0 record after seeing off EuroCup champs Unicaja Malaga 99-85. This was a cruising home win for Los Blancos, with the home team controlling the contest and handing 23 points in a consistent scoring performance.

Reigning ACB Liga Endesa champs Valencia bounced back from its first victory with a 91-93 road win over UCAM Murcia. The title holders were pushed hard on the road, built largely on a 12-26 first quarter. Valencia defended the advantage from there and weathered a Murcia rally to hold the win. Barcelona was hunting its fifth win to stay unbeaten, but looked flat in an 80-70 road loss to Estudiantes in Madrid.

Of course, Barcelona vs. a Madrid-based club in Spain’s capital has significant meaning considering recent events. However, the Catalan giant was unable to hit top gear, especially in the decisive fourth act, where the hosts made a 25-9 run to secure the contest.