The Poitiers Basket festival spoiled by Antibes

Poitiers – Antibes: 76-82

This big little man deserved a giant tribute. If the Poitiers Basket 86 lost this Friday at Arena, he celebrated his magician Luka Rupnik in the most beautiful way. The Slovenian leader had announced two days earlier his decision to end his career after the season and he could not contain his tears during this emotional sequence. After the broadcast on the giant screens of affection messages from around the world, including one of the star NBA Luka Dov therefore, his wife and his parents came to embrace him while the 5,200 spectators applauded him and chanted his name. “It suits me straight to the heart, I really didn’t expect that”commented, moved, the leader before his competitor natural immediately resumed the upper hand. “It’s not over. We will come back and we will do everything to go far on this end of the season. »»

“Tonight, I did not recognize my team”

However, it will probably be necessary to take the BIS route to reach the play-offs. The ranking is so tight that there are still a tiny scenario to be qualified for the poetvins directly, but the most likely is, for them, to have to go through the play-in. What a shame because the opportunity was beautiful, facing Antibes, for the PB to consolidate its chances of direct qualification. But, despite the 27 points of Jonathan Jeanne, the teammates of Kévin Harley mostly have come together collectively, pretending on the three -point shot where they were not successful (1/18 in the 17th^e ; 8/36 in the end) and making unusual errors. “Tonight, I did not recognize my teamrecognized Andy Thornton-Jones. Both in their behavior on the field but even in the players’ eyes. I do not know if the group has put pressure on a stake? Maybe. »»

The Poitevins fought with their weapons, however, managing to find solutions in the second and third quarter to peak six points ahead (47-41, 25^e) But that was not enough. It is true not helped by the whistles but also by a lack of composure in the important moments. “We give ourselves the means to win but we were too fragileunderlined their coach. The execution of things was not good. For me we do not deliver a good match, but Antibes also posed problems for us. »»

With its rough game and experienced players, the French Riviera club used its opponent, even if it means making him come out of his hinges like Jahvon Blair whose fifth fault was accompanied by a technique due to his lack of composure. “It does not do us good to lose it because it is an important link in the team but it is also easy to understand: it comes back, it is lacking in sensations, there is the frustration of not being at its level after a month stoppingexpliquait Andy Thornton-Jones. With tension, the stake, the context, he farts his bolts a little and he sanctions his team. »»

Never dumped, however, the Poitevins maintained hope until the last minute (74-75, 38^e) But realism was Azurean, like Bathist Tchouaffé and especially Yepabou Palo, authors two of 24 of the 30 points in the last quarter. In the end, the PB lost (76-82). The evening could have been better but the adventure is not over. Luka Rupnik promised it. And when we know the determination of the leader, everything is still possible.