The VTB United League General Manager Ilona Korstin commented the results of the Playoffs 2023 first games, noting a sensational MBA win in St. Petersburg and Loko success in Nizhny Novgorod:
– The VTB League Playoffs have just begun, but there is already the first sensation. Reigning champion Zenit was defeated at home by League newcomer MBA. Of course, this was only the beginning of a 3-game winning Series, and I’m sure that Zenit will show their best game yet.
MBA young players had nothing to lose and were motivated, their decisive 18-0 run in the fourth quarter was very emotional and literally knocked Zenit out. I’d like to note that the 18-0 run became the biggest in the League Playoffs history.
MBA was better in rebounding, had better shooting percentage from both three-pointer and free-throw line, and this allowed Vasily Karasev team to make real progress. Take Andrey Lopatin, for example – he proved to be a true leader with 18 points. Zenit just wasn’t ready for such fierce battle from MBA and gave up what seemed to be a winning game.
Another interesting Series between Pari Nizhny Novgorod and Loko also began unexpectedly. The Krasnodar team won the first game on the floor in Nizhny and may now be considered the favorite to win the Series. Perhaps, Loko road was not so long as the team came from Moscow, where they played the last game of the regular season. In any case, Lokomotiv Kuban won due to a longer rotation and a balanced roster, while several Pari NN key players missed the game due to injuries.
They’ll play up to 3 wins in the Quarterfinals, so there’s room for adjustment and a chance to change tactics. I’m sure there will be very interesting games ahead.
