By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna came back to victory at home, as the black-and-white powerhouse took down Barcelona 86-81 by being dragged by Isaia Cordinier’s career-high performance to erupt the crowd.
The 28-year-old forward put up 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 8 fouls drawn for a personal-best PIR of 38. These numbers were crucial in naming him MVP of the Round for the first time in his EuroLeague career.
“I’m just happy that I could help the team win tonight. The most important thing for us is fighting – getting back to passion, fighting, and togetherness. With the flow of the team and the energy on defense, we could run, we could share the ball on offense”, he commented after the win.
Dusko Ivanovic spoke about the French forward’s huge performance last night. “We all know that Isaia [Cordinier] is a good player, but tonight he took responsibility. The whole team involved him and got behind him”, he summed up in the post-game press conference.
Isaia Cordinier also shared a message to Tornike Shengelia, who will be out for approximately one month. “Get healthy, brother. We’re with you, we’re thinking about you, and we miss you”, he said.
His 38-PIR night was the highest throughout the EuroLeague in Round 17, and nobody registered more overcame the 30-PIR margin in the rest of the league. Kendrick Nunn (28 of PIR) in the win over Baskonia and Ercan Osmani (29 of PIR) in the victory over Partizan were the closest ones.
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna