Astana are heading to the final!
The capital club kept their championship hopes alive after a tense semi-final series against Barsy Atyrau. It took the full five games to decide the winner, and the final spot was only secured in the closing seconds of Game 5.
The series began in Astana, where the teams split the first two games. Astana opened with a strong 102–79 win, taking every quarter and setting the tone early. Robert Pan led the team with 18 points and 7 rebounds, E.J. Day added 17 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds, Adas Juškevičius had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Askar Maidyekin finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Barsy responded in Game 2, winning by 14 on Astana’s home court. Despite the loss, Day delivered a triple-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
The series then moved to Atyrau, where Astana took a huge road win in Game 3 — 88–83. Barsy were ahead for much of the game, but Astana produced a strong finish and turned it around in the fourth quarter. Day recorded 15 points and 13 assists, Maidyekin added 17 points and 14 rebounds, Juškevičius finished with 21 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, and Pan contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds.
Game 4 was another tight one, this time going to Barsy, 79–78. Maidyekin posted his second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Day had 22 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Pan added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Everything came down to Game 5 in Astana — and it had all the drama of a deciding playoff game. Both teams had their runs, the lead changed hands, and the result stayed open until the final possession.
With one minute left, Astana trailed 85–87. Alexander Zhigulin then hit the biggest shot of the night — a three-pointer that put the hosts back in front. Barsy had a chance to respond but could not convert. Day missed a chance to extend the lead on the next possession, giving the visitors one last opportunity. Yermakov took the final shot for Barsy with five seconds left, but it did not drop.
The buzzer confirmed an 88–87 win for Astana and a place in the Kazakhstan National League final.
Day led the way in the deciding game with 34 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Zhigulin finished with 16 points, including the decisive three-pointer, while Juškevičius added 15.
Astana now move on to the National League final, where the fight for the championship continues.
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