体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid keep up the pace ahead of Copa del Rey weekend

MADRID, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid took an impressive win away to Bilbao Basket in the 20th round of matches in the ACB Endesa basketball league.

With next weekend dedicated to the Copa del Rey knockout competition, Real Madrid showed themselves to be the side to beat with a 94-74 win on a court they have struggled in recently.

Caja Laboral, who will be the hosts next weekend, will also be a tough nut to crack in the cup and Jan Tabak's side took their 12th straight league win since his arrival with a 78-75 victory against Valencia. Andres Nocioni scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds to help condemn Valencia to their fourth straight defeat.

Regal Barcelona will meet Madrid in the quarter-finals next week and appear to be returning to form at the right time, as shown by a 88-76 victory in their derby against local rivals Manresa, who remain second from bottom with just four wins all season.

Lagun Aro remain below Manresa as the side from San Sebastian slipped to a 74-70 defeat away to Unicaja Malaga. A fine performance from Lagun Aro's Finlay Morris was not enough to stop Unicaja taking their first win of 2013 and half a slide down the table.

Herbalife Gran Canaria crushed Mad-Croc Fuenlabrada 99-66 to move into third place in the table and at the same time stop Fuenlabrada opening a gap over the two sides below them in the league.

Ryan Toolson was the top scorer for Herbalife with 15 points, which highlighted his side's overall team performance.

Asefa Estudiantes have always been a good outside bet in the cup and they proved their moment of form with a solid 82-77 win in Zargoaza, Carl English scored 27 points for Estudiantes, while German Gabriel also putting in an excellent all round display.

UCAM Murcia can go into their weekend off on the back of an 83-77 win at home to Blusens Monbus, who have now lost their last four games, while Martin Nacho was the hero for Blancos Rueda Valladolid in their 69-67 win over FIATC Joventut. Nacho netted 22 points for his side.

Finally CB Canarias continue their upward progress with a 77-68 win over Cajasol Sevilla with Ricardo Uriz their standout performer.