MIES (Switzerland) – As the excitement builds in Season 9 of the Basketball Champions League, known as Ode to Basketball, six teams have remarkably sustained their perfect records after three rounds of competition. Additionally, Group F is heating up, showcasing a fierce three-way tie at the summit.
The Hungarian champions, Falco Szombathely, dazzled fans with their performances in the initial gamedays and headed to Vilnius with aspirations of springing an upset against the formidable hosts at the iconic Twinsbet Arena, packed to capacity with passionate supporters.
Nonetheless, the Lithuanian champions, Rytas Vilnius, seized the opportunity to deliver a resounding statement. Dominating from the opening whistle, Rytas maintained their lead throughout, not once allowing Szombathely to threaten. By the fourth quarter, they had established a commanding 23-point advantage, delighting their fans with a well-deserved standing ovation.
Coach Giedrius Zibenas witnessed an impressive team effort with 10 different scorers contributing, headlined by RJ Cole’s standout performance, which saw him tally 19 points along with 8 assists. Steven Enoch added an electric 18 points, highlighted by multiple emphatic dunks, while Jayvon Graves made an impact early, scoring 12 of his 15 points by halftime.
Savion Flagg contributed with 12 points, while Azuolas Tubelis also made his mark with a solid stat line of 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Zoltan Perl continued to shine off the bench for Falco, netting 23 points, yet this was insufficient to preserve his team’s unbeaten streak.
As a result, a dramatic three-way logjam develops in Group F, with Rytas, Szombathely, and Pallacanestro Reggiana each boasting a 2-1 record, two wins clear of WKS Slask Wroclaw.
It lasted a massive 13 games, but Karsiyaka finally broke free from their agonizing road losing streak in the BCL. They took charge in their Wednesday showdown in Greece, establishing a dominant 20-point lead by the end of the third quarter before coasting to a satisfying second victory of the season.
Errick McCollum starred for Karsiyaka, notching 21 points, marking the fourth time in his last five BCL appearances that he surpasses the 20-point threshold. Remarkably, he has converted 34-of-35 free throws during this current stretch of excellence, including a perfect 4-of-4 on this particular day.
Jerry Boutsiele showcased his prowess in the paint, finishing with 13 points alongside 8 rebounds, while both Muhsin Yasar and Daron Russell made significant contributions with 10 points each.
Kolossos, now at 0-3, faced challenges, with London Perrantes being their standout performer, recording 11 points and 7 assists.
TJ Shorts II made indelible memories during his time in Bonn, steering the team to their inaugural European trophy – the coveted BCL title in 2023. Now, it seems they have found another rising star to potentially replicate that glory alongside him.
Meet the new fan favorite in Bonn: Darius McGhee. With a brilliant performance of 23 points and 5 assists against Maccabi, McGhee etched his name in the BCL history books as only the second player to achieve at least 20 points and 5 assists in each of his first three games in the competition’s prestigious history. The record is only matched by two-time champion TJ Shorts II.
Supporting McGhee’s efforts, Phlandrous Fleming Jr had a significant impact, scoring 22 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, while Thomas Kennedy chipped in with 10 points and 8 rebounds. On the opposing side, Maccabi’s Amin Stevens made a valiant effort with 23 points and 7 rebounds despite their loss.
With this victory, Bonn improved to a 2-1 record, climbing to the top of the group standings alongside AEK Betsson BC, while Maccabi fell to a 1-2 record.
BAXI Manresa made a definitive statement in their quest for dominance in Group G. Facing Chemnitz, they quickly established a formidable lead, never allowing their opponents to regain any momentum throughout the game.
Manresa’s defense proved stifling, forcing a staggering 29 turnovers, showcasing exceptional ball pressure as they occasionally prevented Chemnitz from even advancing the basketball across the halfcourt line. Retin Obasohan’s defensive efforts were particularly noteworthy, leaving a lasting impression.
Coach Diego Ocampo saw four of his players score in double digits, led by Derrick Alston, who lit up the scoreboard with an astonishing 30 points in just 22 minutes of action. His shooting was efficient, going 9-of-12 from the field, including an impressive 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Obasohan complemented the scoring barrage with 15 points while also contributing defensively with 2 blocks and 2 steals. Cameron Hunt added to the collective effort with 12 points, and Marcis Steinbergs rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
DeAndre Lansdowne was a bright spot for Chemnitz, scoring 15 points, but they will surely want to forget this lopsided affair as quickly as possible.
**Interview with Coach Giedrius Zibenas of Rytas Vilnius**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us today, Coach Zibenas. Congratulations on your recent victory against Falco Szombathely! How does it feel to maintain your team’s perfect record in the Basketball Champions League?
*Coach Zibenas:* Thank you! It’s incredibly rewarding to see the hard work of the players pay off, especially in such a competitive league. We focused on executing our game plan, and the guys really stepped up. It’s great to see us at the top of Group F.
*Interviewer:* RJ Cole’s performance stood out during the game, leading the team with 19 points and 8 assists. How crucial has he been for your squad this season?
*Coach Zibenas:* RJ is a key player for us. His ability to both score and facilitate makes him a dual threat, and he’s been consistently delivering. But it’s not just him; we had ten different scorers in that game, showcasing our depth.
*Interviewer:* Your team is now part of a three-way tie at the top of Group F. How do you plan to maintain your momentum as the competition heats up?
*Coach Zibenas:* It’s crucial to stay focused and not get complacent. We need to keep pushing ourselves in practice and take every game seriously. Each opponent in this league is tough, so we will prepare thoroughly and play our game.
*Interviewer:* Looking at the broader picture, how do you assess the level of competition in this season of the Basketball Champions League compared to past seasons?
*Coach Zibenas:* The level is exceptionally high this season. We’ve seen several teams proving they can compete at any time. This makes every game exciting and pushes us to elevate our play. It’s important for us to adapt quickly and stay resilient.
*Interviewer:* With Karsiyaka breaking their losing streak and other teams like Bonn shining bright, what are your thoughts on the overall landscape of the league?
*Coach Zibenas:* The unpredictability is what makes the league fascinating! Teams are improving, and anyone can win on any given night. That’s why every game matters, and it keeps us on our toes.
*Interviewer:* Last question, Coach. What message do you have for the fans after such an impressive start to the season?
*Coach Zibenas:* We appreciate their support immensely! The atmosphere in the Twinsbet Arena was electric, and it motivates us to perform even better. We promise to keep fighting and striving for success as we continue in this tournament. Thank you!
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Coach Zibenas, for your time. Best of luck in your upcoming matches!
