By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Restoring a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter sent Fenerbahce Beko to the win, 79-66, versus Panathinaikos to continue the Nick Galis International Tournament on Saturday.
Nikos Galis, inspiring the boom of basketball in Greece back in the day, was in Rhodes to enjoy the second day of the tournament bearing his name and honored players at halftime.
Connecting all four of his attempts from beyond the arc, Sertac Sanli was the top scorer of the preparation game between Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams. Ergin Ataman’s side struggling in offense featured Juancho Hernangomez tallying 19 points.
Giorgos Papagiannis was forced to an early exit, midway through the third quarter. Despite hurting his right knee in a collision with Mathias Lessort, the former Panathinaikos captain looked good to go and presumably would be cleared to immediately return in an official contest.
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, carrying a win against Fener in Friday’s opener, will face off with the Greens to finish the three-team friendly tournament tomorrow, Sunday.
Valencia drops the last friendly game
Fellow EuroLeague participant, Valencia lost, 75-66, to Coviran Granada in the Torneig Ciutat de Lliria hosted in Pavello Pla De L’Arc. Pacing the winners, Kwan Cheatham Jr. poured in a game-high 16 points.
Besides Semi Ojeleye, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, and Martin Hermannsson stuck on the injury list, Brandon Davies (foot) and Kassius Robertson (hand) were sidelined as a precaution in the last preseason game for the Oranges.
Alex Mumbru’s side will play host to AS Monaco in Round 1 of the EuroLeague Regular Season on October 6, following three outings at the top of Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season.
Photo Credit: Vangelis Stolis