By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Promitheas’ Cinderella story might not be over just yet. Makis Giatras’ team exceeded expectations in the Regular Season securing a spot in the Basketball Champions League playoffs, but can hope for furthermore success after its 69-57 home win against Tenerife on Wednesday. The Greek club was missing two key players, but Tony Meier was there to put his team in a commanding position ahead of next week’s game in Spain.
“It was an exciting game from the start. We wanted to represent the team and the city well coming in to this game” the 28-year-old American forward mentioned after the first half of the Round of 16 two-game series. He certainly contributed to his statement scoring 18 of his 22 points in the first twenty minutes aiding Promitheas jump to a 18-point lead. The visitors cut down their deficit in the second half with red-hot Meier in foul trouble.
The former Milwaukee Panther made 8/10 from the field including 4/4 beyond the arc. He sank all of his three-pointers in the first half, which Promitheas finished with 8/10 from outside. Meier played most of the second half carrying four fouls, but remained on the court for over 30 minutes and finished with 22 points. “It was a good game for us. I think it’s a good start for this playoff series” he pointed out afterwards.
His 22 points send the Patras club to its biggest win yet in the Champions League, but weren’t his career high in the tournament. He sank 33 points four months ago, but wasn’t enough for the victory in the home game against Telenet Giants Antwerp. That loss proved decisive on Promitheas finishing in Group D’s fourth place, but this time around his massive offensive performance might lead to a quarterfinals series against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem or Neptunas Klaipeda.
Despite his hot hand in the first leg of the Round of 16 series, following the contest Meier stressed that the effort on the defensive end was crucial for the “W”. “We came out with a lot of energy. That helped us in the beginning and carried out the whole game. Defensively that helped us as well. We were pretty solid. That was the key” he explained.
The 12-point advantage ahead of the rematch is significant to say the least, but Giatras himself admitted after the game that it’s still fifty-fifty on terms of advancing to the next stage for both clubs. Rion Brown and Langston Hall might be back next week, but in any case Meier and every other Promitheas player must be on hand to attach a quarterfinals run in the team’s first European season.
Finding his groove in Greece
The 2018-19 BCL campaign isn’t only his first in FIBA’s premier competition, but also his first in any European club competition. He’s come a long way from his Milwaukee playing days in the NCAA and starting his professional career in Australia, Portugal and Poland. Another Patras club, Apollon Patras, signed him for the 2015-16 season inserting him in the Greek Basket League picture.
Meier finished his first season in Greece averaging 11.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. He went on helping CEZ Nymburk win the Czech League and the Czech Cup in 2017 before returning to Greece and playing for Lavrio during the 2017-18 campaign. After pouring 10.1 points per match he opted to join Promitheas for his third Basket League season.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League