The game started at a fast pace, with Astana striving to find their rhythm early on. However, CSKA quickly seized the initiative, using their speed in offense to gain control. Within the first two minutes, the hosts had already put up 14 points, while Daniel Utomi opened Astana’s scoring with a three-pointer. Additional contributions from Danila Pokhodyaev, Grigory Motovilov, and Utomi followed, but the first quarter firmly belonged to CSKA – 37:11.
In the second quarter, Astana played more confidently and put up a fight (27:18). Danila Pokhodyaev continued his efforts from beyond the arc (4/14, 29%), with Askar Maydekin and Vladislav Isayenko also contributing. Additionally, Valery Simonov, a Kazakh graduate of Astana’s system, made his VTB United League debut.
Astana kept up the intensity in the third quarter, putting up a strong fight (28:20). Seventeen-year-old forward Ilya Pestov made his debut, delivering the best first game by a Kazakh player in VTB United League history. He contributed 4 points, 3 steals, and 1 rebound, becoming just the third Astana player this season (after Askar Maydekin and Rustam Murzagaliev) to record three steals in a single game. Pestov made an immediate impact, intercepting a pass from Alexander Gankevich. However, as the quarter neared its end, CSKA reasserted control – 92:49.
Astana owned the final ten minutes. The team started with an 8-0 run, thanks to accurate shots from Utomi, Pestov, and Motovilov, finishing the match on a strong note.
CSKA – Astana 118:77 (37:11, 27:18, 28:20, 26:28)
Astana Top Performers:
Daniel Utomi (21 points + 3 assists)
Grigory Motovilov (13 points + 7 assists)
Danila Pokhodyaev (11 points + 5 rebounds)
Comment from Acting Head Coach Gleb Plotnikov:
«A game lost on defense, especially in the first quarter, where CSKA dictated the pace and executed their game plan without resistance… It felt like we simply weren’t present on the court. Offensively, considering the lineup I had at my disposal today, I believe we performed reasonably well, perhaps even successfully. Unfortunately, for various reasons, Rustam Murzagaliev and Vadim Shcherbak were unable to travel with us. Additionally, Alexander Orazbekov, our backup point guard, sustained an injury. As a result, I had just one point guard available—one who primarily operates in pick-and-roll situations—so I had to adapt and improvise.»
