By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes became the Presidential Cup champion for the 14th time in team history on Sunday.
Edging out Istanbul rival Fenerbahce Beko, 83-82, in the first official game held in Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi upped the largest total of Presidential Cup wins in Turkiye.
After mishandling a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter, Efes regained the advantage down the stretch and Elijah Bryant restored a two-possession lead with a clutch bucket. Scottie Wilbekin netting a three-pointer made it a one-point game before turnovers at both sides of the court drained the remaining seven seconds.
Bryant, 29, piled up a game-high 21 points alongside eight rebounds and five assists, also game-highs. Daniel Oturu followed with 16 points and Ercan Osmani had 13 points. Salih Altuntas, Justus Hollatz, Stanley Johnson, Shane Larkin, and Rolands Smits were sidelined.
On the losing end, Fener was held to seven Presidential Cup titles, sitting second on the all-time list. Nigel Hayes-Davis finished with 20 points behind 7/10 field goals and Bonzie Colson tallied 19 points to go with six rebounds. Players out of the lineup were Tarik Biberovic, Khem Birch, Marko Guduric, Yigit Hamza Mestoglu, Dyshawn Pierre, and Arturs Zagars.
Switching to the opening week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, both sides will play on Friday. The team coached by Tomislav Mijatovic visits Unipol Arena to face Virtus Segafredo Bologna and the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius will be at home against Olympiacos.
Moving to the opening round of the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi, Efes will return to the Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi for a home game opposite Yalovaspor and Fener will take on Onvo Buyukcekmece in the Ulker Sports Arena. Both contests are scheduled to be held next Sunday.
Photo Credit: Anadolu Efes SK Twitter