Titin and Pascual edge ever closer to the final four

Saturday 20th February, Pamplona

TITIN III – PASCUAL beat BENGOETXEA VI – OTXANDORENA 22-15

Pairs Championship

Titin and Pascual achieved their fifth victory of the championship on Saturday and while not yet certain of a place in the semi finals, they have one foot over the finishing line. Their triumph came at the expense of Bengoetxea VI and Otxandorena, who have had an unhappy tournament almost throughout, with just one win to show for their efforts. They are now out.

The Asegarce pair knew that this was last chance saloon and took to the court with the correct attitude. Otxandorena confirmed in a post match interview that they had felt positive and were raring to go, but stated that when their opponents imposed their rhythm mid way through the encounter there was little they could do. Bengoetxea and Otxandorena started well, opening up a 1-4 lead, but Titin and Pascual managed to level the contest at 5-5 before opening up to 9-5. They did not waltz to this margin uninhibited for their rivals fought them tooth and nail in some long and involved rallies, but they could not muster the necessary fire power when the cards were on the table. Having secured this lead, they held it with some comfort. Bengoetxea and Otxandorena did close to within one point at 13-14, with the former instrumental, but Titin again took up the reins and the danger was past.

Titin played at his spectacular best, once again defying his 41 years. 15 winners were his reward. Pascual was again solid as a rock, although he admitted to early nerves. Bengoetxea, whose underperformance in this tournament has been a great sadness, played some of the best pelota we have seen from him in some weeks but it was to no avail. His day will surely come again.

Scoring sequence: 1-0, 1-1, 1-4, 3-4, 3-5, 5-5, 9-5, 9-7, 10-7, 10-8, 12-8, 12-9, 14-9, 14-13, 16-13, 16-14, 18-14, 18-15, 22-15.

Source: Noticias de Navarra

Titin managed 15 winners

Image from: Blog Kiroljokoa

Mikel Ezkerro