By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Sam Van Rossom scored just four points, but he also made the most crucial shot of the game with 16 seconds left, giving to Valencia basket the 65-63 win over LDLC ASVEL. Amine Noua had the chance for one last shot, but he couldn’t make the three that would alter the result.
After a game that was close from wire to wire everything was decided on details with Valencia getting 15 points from newcomer Derrick Williams and 10 points by Mike Tobey.
“A win is a win, it doesn’t matter whether it is one point, two points, or 20, we just want to win”, said Williams who also admitted that his team can do better: “Tomorrow we will watch the film and see all the things we messed up on, we were up 10 or 12 points a couple of times and we gave the lead back, so those are the things we have to do.”
ASVEL thanks to a team effort and Moustapha Fall scoring 14 points had the chance to steal the win until the closing seconds.
Former NBA champion Norris Cole with 11 points, six assists, and also six turnovers, proved that he can emerge as the leader of the French side, but he couldn’t save the day.
“We showed we still need to improve a lot”, said Valencia’s coach Jaume Ponsarnay right after the game. “The most important thing is the victory, but also that we must learn from after this game and keep improving. It’s very important to start winning, but it is more important to understand that the competition is very long, and all the games matter and are important to improve and to take steps ahead. We didn’t play well on offense, but we were consistent in defense and that’s the path to follow.”
Photo: EuroLeague