The VTB United League held the 5th edition of the Friends of Basketball Game in Moscow prior to Game 2 of the playoff finals. League and Khimki and CSKA executives faced off against a team of journalists. The two teams were coached by former players Ilona Korstin andSergei Tarakanov.

Former players and executives such as Tomas Pacesas,Jiri Zidek, Pavel Astakhov and VTB United League president Sergey Kushchenko, as well as popular sports commentator Roman Skvortsov and basketball expert Nikita Zagday took part in what turned out to be a very closely contested game. The outcome was decided in the final seconds, as Nikita Zagday gave the journalists the win with a fast-break layup at the buzzer (47-45).

There were several interesting matchups throughout the game: 1999 Euroleague champion and ex-NBA player Jiri Zidek tried to stop Roman Skvortsov under the basket, while 1996 Olympics bronze medalist Tomas Pacesas was guarded by Sport-Express journalist Timur Rustamov and 2014 Friends of the Basketball MVP Anton Zimin, who writes for Slamdunk.ru. The game was reffed by the inimitable Mikhail Davydov, one of Europe's most legendary referees, and his son, FIBA refereeAlexey Davydov. The two had one heated argument during the game, but were eventually able to find a compromise.

The MVP went to Roman Skvortsov, who gave everything on the court and saved several possessions for the journalists. VTB United League general director Andrey Shirokov awarded the prize to Skvortsov to big applause.

vtb-league.com