体坛英语新闻：Barcelona defeat Bilbao to extend Spanish basketball lead

MADRID, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Regal Barcelona won 72-65 away to Gescrap Bilbao to remain top of the Endesa ACB basketball league on the weekend.

Bilbao perhaps suffered from the effort and emotion of qualifying for the last 16 of the EuroLeague on Thursday night as they were caught out by a strong start from Barcelona in the first 10 minutes in which the visitors ran up a virtually unassailable 23-6 lead.

The remaining quarters were reasonably even, but Barcelona had already done their homework.

Real Madrid remain second after an 83-69 victory away to Blosens Monbus. Kyle Singler scored 21 points for Madrid, who never looked in great trouble against a side that has had some good results in recent weeks.

Sunday also saw Assignia Manresa win 77-63 away to Gran Canaria, while Andy Panko and Sergi Vidal ran riot on Lagun Aro's 103-81 win at home to Asefa Estudiantes. The result keeps Lagun Aro in the playoff spots, while Estudiantes are locked in a battle to avoid relegation.

Caja Laboral kept the pressure on a struggling Valencia side with a 68-63 victory. The Basques used their power under the net to take the win with Mirza Teletovic netting 21 points.

Barca Civica brought UCAM Murcia down to earth following Murcia 's win over Bilbao last week. The Seville based side were 46-26 up by the end of the second quarter and the result was never in doubt thereafter.

CAI Zaragoza took a step towards cementing a place in the top 8 with a 76-59 victory at home to Unicaja Malaga, who ended a miserable week following their defeat in the EuroLeague. Bracey Wright was the man for Zaragoza with 24 points.

FIATC Joventut made it two wins in two matches with an away victory against Mad Croc Fuenlabrada, while a strong finish saw Blancos Rueda Valladolid claim a surprise win at home to fifth placed Lucentum Alicante. Curtis Borchardt were unstoppable for the bottom side of the table, netting 10 points and winning an incredible 15 rebounds.