How hard it was for ASVEL! First in the regular season and defending champion, TJ Parker’s team had all the trouble in dominating a formation of Cholet Basket without complex. The Maugeois finished at -2 (84-82) after blowing on the neck of the Rhodaniens throughout the meeting.
Well launched by Chris Jones, the Villeurbannais had made a better start. But relying on an exceptional Yoan Makoundou, Laurent Vila’s players then took over and even dominated the muscular local team in the physical impact. So much so that Charles Kahudi, warrior among warriors, had to go out because of a sprained knee which raises fears of the worst. Deserving, the Choletais led at the break 46 to 44.
As at La Meilleraie on Friday, ASVEL regained the advantage after returning from the locker room (53-46). Stuck on the bench in the first half, Victor Wembanyama gave his team a 9-point lead (61-52) following two 3-point baskets, including one with the board. But the visitors never let go… Even when Elie Okobo put on his superhero costume. Stop after stop, basket after basket, Cholet came back with an excellent TJ Campbell. But out of breath, Dominic Artis forced and James Gist gave two possessions ahead (84-80) to his people on a big dunk. A loss of the ball at the end of time-out and a curious choice not to foul – like Real Madrid last Saturday in the EuroLeague final – sealed the fate of the game.
In the tough throughout the series, with the exception of the second half in Cholet, ASVEL ended up winning and qualifying for the semi-finals. A new big fight awaits them against Dijon.
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