By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Gameday 5 in the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 spreads action in eight venues all around Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday.
After clinching a berth in the Quarterfinals and the top seed in Group K last week, La Laguna Tenerife visits Aliaga Petkimspor and seeks to extend a winning streak in the Champions League to 11 games on Tuesday. On Wednesday, BAXI Manresa will be dealing with the threat of elimination in Pavello Nou Congost, looking to snap a three-game losing streak and match UnaHotels Reggio Emilia at 2-3.
A potential fifth consecutive home win for Galatasaray would improve the Istanbul outfit to 3-2 in Group J, but Rytas intends to ruin the plan and bring a third victory back to Vilnius. Also on Tuesday, Manisa Divissa wants to further complicate the situation with a home win against defending champion Unicaja, rather than being eliminated and the Malaga outfit confirming a spot in the Quarterfinals.
Off four straight double-digit scoring showings, Justin Gorham resumes the continental campaign with Bertram Derthona Tortona hosting AEK Betsson in a huge game on Wednesday. The Group I schedule opens earlier Wednesday, with FIT/One Wurzburg Baskets welcoming winless Promitheas Vikos Cola in Tectake Arena.
Knockout out of contention in Group L, Falco Vulcano Szombathely visits ERA Nymburk in Prague’s Kralovka Arena on Tuesday. Possibly facing elimination on Wednesday, Nanterre 92 will host UCAM Murcia in the Sports Palace.
Round of 16 Week 5 schedule
Group I
FIT/One Wurzburg Baskets – Promitheas Vikos Cola (19/3, 18:30 CET)
Bertram Derthona Tortona – AEK Betsson (19/3, 20:30 CET)
Standings
1. q-AEK Betsson 8 (4-0)
2. FIT/One Wurzburg Baskets 6 (2-2)
3. Bertram Derthona Tortona 6 (2-2)
4. e-Promitheas Vikos Cola 4 (0-4)
Group J
Galatasaray – Rytas (18/3, 18:00 CET)
Manisa Divissa – Unicaja (18/3, 18:00 CET)
Standings
1. Unicaja 7 (3-1)
2. Rytas 6 (2-2)
3. Galatasaray 6 (2-2)
4. Manisa Divissa 5 (1-3)
Group K
BAXI Manresa – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia (18/3, 20:45 CET)
Aliaga Petkimspor – La Laguna Tenerife (19/3, 18:00 CET)
Standings
1. q-La Laguna Tenerife 8 (4-0)
2. UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 6 (2-2)
3. BAXI Manresa 5 (1-3)
4. Aliaga Petkimspor 5 (1-3)
Group L
ERA Nymburk – Falco Vulcano Szombathely (18/3, 18:30 CET)
Nanterre 92 – UCAM Murcia (19/3, 20:00 CET)
Standings
1. ERA Nymburk 7 (3-1)
2. UCAM Murcia 7 (3-1)
3. Nanterre 92 6 (2-2)
4. e-Falco Vulcano Szombathely 4 (0-4)
-The top two teams from each group qualify for the Quarterfinals
q-clinched a berth in the Quarterfinals
e-eliminated
Photo Credit: FIBA