The dream didn’t become the reality. But the challenge is going on. Roca Team will not play in the final for the title in the League des champions. But the Monegasque team will play against Venice for the 3rd place in the League so their adventure hasn’t been finished yet.
Unfortunately, Roca Team couldn’t retake the lead in the second part of the match and the victory was distancing from them with every point from the Turkish team Banvit. Even the excellent return of Jamal Shuler who gained 21 points over the match and was recognized, as the best player of the game, didn’t help the Monegasque team.
The absence of 3-point goals was the main reason of losing the match. And with all their efforts Monegasque couldn’t come through the defense of their opponents.
Only the first quarter of the game was in favor of Roca team with the score 23-14. And this start gave a hope to the team and to its supporters. But the second (22-23), third (8-18) and fourth (21-28) quarters were lost abundantly by the Monegasque. Especially in the third quarter (8-18), it seemed that the Monegasque team has lost its spirit. Then their coach inspired them, reminding that the Ligue is not lost yet and that they have to fight right till the end.
“We should congratulate Banvit team who merit this victory. I am very proud of my players as well who made it to the Final of Four and who now will fight for the third place in the League”, – Zvezdan Mitrovic, coach of Roca Team, shared after the game.
“We paid in the second part of the game for the gigantic efforts we put in place in the first quarter and that was the moment when Banvit took the lead and control over the game. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to retake it”, – Jamal Shuler said.
Source: asmbasket.org
