By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Jan Vesely put on a 34 PIR performance leading Fenerbahce to a 97-72 home win against Herbalife Gran Canaria at that start of the season.
The Czech center recorded a double-double with 19 points (7-8 FG) and 11 rebounds while he also added three assists. Nikola Kalinic scored 16 while Luigi Datome and Joffrey Lauvergne added 12 points each. Kostas Sloukas was the ‘waiter’ with seven assists in addition to eight points.
Fenerbahce set the tone from the start showing full control on both sides of the floor. They allowed only ten points to the opponent in the first ten minutes while banking 22 themselves. Things could’ve been far worse for Gran Canaria at this point had the hosts not missed five wide-open threes.
In fact, neither team could find their ‘groove’ from behind the arc. They shot 0/17 in total before Kalinic made the first three of the game halfway through the second quarter. Although Gran Canaria tried its best, Fener kept the distance and got a 49-35 halftime lead.
Things were the same after the break as Fenerbahce kept increasing their lead. They were up 75-58 before the final period which they won 22-14 securing the game.
For Gran Canaria, Christopher Evans scored 13 in addition to Anzejs Pasecniks’ 12 points.
Coach Zeljko Obradovic was fully content with his team’s winning performance: “We played a good game and we deserved to win. We controlled the game from the beginning to the end. I am very happy all the players got their contributions in victory, and thank you to the people for creating a good atmosphere once again.”
Vesely took the spotlight with an MVP performance but notes it was a team effort and hopes they continue down the same path: “That was a team win, and I am happy that we started strong at home. We just have to keep going, now we have to get rest for the double-week. It is going to be tough, but we have to play our game like today.”
Photo Credit: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague