VTB League: Lokomotiv heads to last four

Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar has completed the VTB League semi-finals picture by eliminating Unics Kazan in the remaining series of the Quarterfinals. A 79-84 road win was enough to seal the deal and allow Lokomotiv to progress with a 3-1 series victory. The Krasnodar outfit now joins CSKA Moscow, Khimki Moscow Region, and Zenit St. Petersburg in the semi’s and will play reigning VTB League champs CSKA for a place in the finals.

The opening two games of this series were played in Krasnodar, where Unics Kazan was able to achieve one victory to head back to Kazan with home advantage for the next two games. Unics had the chance to get the job done at home.

Editor’s Note: If you want more information about the VTB United League, or other international leagues, you can check out Court Side’s Game Center.

However, it was Lokomotiv that snatched the momentum and secured the series with two away wins.

In game four, Lokomotiv sent out an early message with 31 first quarter points, enough for a 11-point lead. Unics fought back in the second act, thanks to a 25-19 run that made it 45-50 through the long break. Lokomotiv wrestled back the momentum in the third act, using an 11-18 charge to lead 56-68 through thirty minutes. The guests held strong in the deciding frame to secure the win.

Taylor Rochestie stepped up once again for Lokomotiv, he complied 21 points. Ian Vougioukas followed with 14 points.

Keith Langford typically propped up Unics with 16 points.

This game and Langford’s display summed up Kazan’s season. In the EuroLeague, the club played well enough, but struggled to convert solid play into victories. While the VTB League season has been more successful, Unics once again failed to rally around Langford’s offensive skills. The American is the best scorer in the EuroLeague this season, but it has largely been a lone pursuit.