On Thursday, May 7, in the opening game of the Optibet Latvian Basketball League finals series, BK “Ventspils” secured an overtime road victory over “Valmiera Glass VIA” (115–112). The teams are competing in a best-of-five series, with Game 2 scheduled for Sunday, May 10, at 5 PM in Ventspils.
Meanwhile, on Friday, May 8, at 7 PM, the first game of the bronze medal series between “VEF Rīga” and “Rīgas Zeļļi”/Sefinance will tip off at the Rimi Olympic Centre. The bronze series will be played as a best-of-three. All games will be broadcast on TV4.
“Valmiera Glass VIA” – BK “Ventspils” 112:115 (23:37, 48:51, 74:76, 101:101)
Series: 0–1
As has recently become customary in Valmiera, the visitors found their rhythm first — jumping out to a 0:8 lead and extending it to 8:24 in the 7th minute. By the end of the first quarter, Ventspils had built their biggest lead of the game (23:37).
Before halftime, the home side gradually cut the deficit, and early in the third quarter Valmiera took the lead for the first time (55:53 in the 23rd minute). Their largest advantage came in the 25th minute at 66:58.
However, Valmiera failed to consolidate the momentum. Ventspils regained the lead late in the quarter, and the rest of regulation remained tightly contested. In a tense finish, the home team appeared closer to victory, but in overtime BK “Ventspils” stayed slightly ahead, building a five-point lead (109:114) and ultimately holding on for the first win of the series.
The winners were slightly more accurate from two-point range (27/43 vs. 23/41) and made more three-pointers (12/44 vs. 8/29), while Valmiera attempted more free throws (52/42 vs. 30/25).
For “Valmiera Glass VIA”, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Dominik Stanionis added 26 points and 6 assists, Andrew Packer had 24 points and 9 rebounds, Mārcis Vītols scored 16 points with 5 assists, and Verners Kohs contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds.
For BK “Ventspils”, Cameron Shelton and Aaron Cash each scored 21 points, Artūrs Ausējs added 16, Ronalds Zaķis recorded 15 points and 18 rebounds, Renārs Birkāns scored 15, and Amands Urkis added 13 points.
Game 2 will be played on May 10 at 5 PM in Ventspils, while Game 3 is scheduled for May 13 at 7 PM in Valmiera. If necessary, Game 4 will take place on May 15 at 6:30 PM in Ventspils, and Game 5 on May 17 at 6 PM.
Bronze Series Schedule
“VEF Rīga” – “Rīgas Zeļļi”/Sefinance
- May 8, 7 PM — Rimi Olympic Centre
Second game:
- May 11, 8 PM — Daugava Sports Hall
If necessary, third game:
- May 14, 7 PM — Rimi Olympic Centre
During the regular season, “Rīgas Zeļļi” won both meetings:
- November 1 — 97:88
- December 21 — 80:77
Source: lbl.basket.lv
(Translated using artificial intellect tool)
