Roster Challenges and a Hard-Fought Game

«Astana» entered the game against «Parma» with a significantly depleted roster. Injuries and illnesses sidelined Daniel Utomi, T.J. Starks, Grigory Motovilov, Magzhan Sarsengaliyev, Danila Pokhodaev, and Andrey Desyatnikov. Despite battling sickness, Alexander Orazbekov and Rustam Murzagaliyev stepped onto the court to support the team. These obstacles significantly influenced the game, yet «Astana» battled tirelessly until the very end.

A Slow Start and a Clash of the Centers

From the outset, «Parma» dictated a deliberate and defensive pace, effectively stifling «Astana's» offensive efforts. Although the home side managed an early response (4:6), the visitors quickly widened the gap (4:13).

Late in the first quarter, «Astana» began to regroup. Fans were treated to an engaging battle between centers Askar Maidyakin, who tallied 6 points, and former «Astana» standout Royce Hamm. Sardal Abashidze made valuable contributions, but «Parma» maintained their edge, finishing the quarter ahead 19-11.

Chipping Away at the Deficit

In the second quarter, «Astana» worked to narrow the gap or at least prevent «Parma» from extending their lead too far. Abashidze made his presence felt in the paint, and Galin Smith electrified the crowd with powerful dunks. However, under Evgeny Pashutin’s guidance, «Parma» capitalised on their opportunities.One standout moment was «Astana's» strong performance on the boards (22-21), but despite their efforts, the halftime score reflected «Parma's» control, leading 41-27.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Third Quarter

«Astana» started the third quarter strong with an 8-2 run. Vadim Shcherbak sank a three-pointer, and Ruslan Aitkali followed with three consecutive triples, reigniting hope for a comeback. However, «Parma» swiftly responded with a 9-0 run, led by Royce Hamm. The third quarter ended with «Parma» in control, 64-42.

Finishing with Determination

In the final quarter, «Astana» showcased their character, speeding up the tempo and winning the quarter 20-19. The game featured several highlight-worthy plays: Maidyakin’s thunderous dunk, Smith’s powerful finishes, Abashidze’s contested slam, and Shcherbak’s sharp shooting despite defensive pressure. Yet, the team lacked the depth and resources to close the gap. With a full roster, «Astana» might have performed differently.

Final Score: «Astana» 62 – «Parma» 83 (11:19, 16:22, 15:23, 20:19)

Leaders:

Astana: Askar Maidyakin (15 points, 5 rebounds), Ruslan Aitkali (11 points), Vadim Shcherbak (10 points), Galin Smith (10 points, 11 rebounds).
Parma: Royce Hamm (22 points, 6 rebounds), Samson Ruzhentsev (18 points), Alex Hamilton (17 points, 7 rebounds).


Acting Head Coach Gleb Plotnikov:

«First, congratulations to 'Parma' on their win. Second, I want to thank my players, especially Rustam Murzagaliyev and Sasha Orazbekov, for playing despite their illness. Like the previous game, this one is a positive takeaway for us. We fell short in some areas, lacked patience, and, of course, needed more depth. Our key position—point guard—is still recovering, but we’re looking forward to Grisha Motovilov’s return.»

Center Askar Maidyakin:

«We faced some challenges with player availability before the match, but the team brought great energy and fought hard. The young players stepped up, and we’re committed to improving and showcasing quality basketball whenever possible.»