MADRID, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Reigning ACB title holders Real Barcelona took their revenge over this season's runaway league leaders and Copa del Rey holders, Real Madrid, by sending their bitter rivals on the first bus home after a thrilling 111-108 win in their quarter-final tie on Thursday.
The game between the two favorites deserved to be the final, but fate decided the teams would meet in the last 8 and it is Barca who took revenge for last season's defeat in the final to Real Madrid after a game which needed two periods of overtime to decide the winner.
Barca had the advantage through most of the game, but were kept in contact by Jaycee Carroll and his three point throws, as well as the dynamism of Sergi Llull, who later admitted that nerves had been a problem for his side.
However with Pete Mickael, who netted 26 points and Ante Tomic with 20, taking the lead, Barca had a bit more on the day and two free throws by Marcelo Huertas, less than three seconds from time sealed the win.
Thursday's second quarter-final saw hosts Caja Laboral defeat CAI Zaragoza by a comfortable 88-64. Zan Tabak's side won their 13th domestic game in succession and an all-round team display was too much for an individual display by Zaragoza's Pablo Aguilar, who netted 23 points.
Caja Laboral, who are second in the ACB League will now count on home support when they face Barca in the semi-finals.
Friday sees two more quarter-finals as Bilbao Basket face Herbalife Gran Canaria and Asefa Estudiantes take on Valencia.