By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes defeating Istanbul rival Fenerbahce Beko, 86-72, secured the Turkish Cup for the 12th time in team history.
Vasilije Micic starred pairing a game-high 23 points with six assists. Final Four MVP Tibor Pleiss followed with 20 points, Rodrigue Beaubois recorded 19 points powered by five threes, and Adrien Moerman posted a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double in Sunday’s contest. On the opposite end, Devin Booker stood out with 17 points and Marko Guduric had 15 points.
The team coached by Ergin Ataman built a double-digit lead before halftime and never looked back. James Anderson (ankle) remained out alongside Chris Singleton, Elijah Bryant, and Bryant Dunston.
The Bitci Erkekler Turkiye Kupasi Final Four was held at Bursa on the heels of the midweek quarterfinals. Fener’s Pierria Henry hurt his left knee in the semifinals and was sidelined along with Nando de Colo (hand), Jan Vesely (ankle), Danilo Barthel (knee), Marial Shayok (shoulder), and Achille Polonara.
The defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Turkey’s BSL champions bested Pinar Karsiyaka at home and Darussafaka in the semifinals making it to the final. Fenerbahce defeated Tofas in overtime and stayed in Bursa to beat Galatasaray Nef in a heated semifinal clash.
Up next, Efes will host Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and the team guided by Sasha Djordjevic will visit AS Monaco in EuroLeague Regular Season Round 27, Thursday and Friday, respectively. Moving into the crunch time of the 34-game round-robin schedule, the Turkish sides sit in eighth and ninth place, right in the middle of the battle to clinch a berth in the 2022 Playoffs.
Photo Credit: ING Basketball Super League Twitter