By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Emanuel Cate became the hero for U-BT Cluj-Napoca, earning MVP of the Round honors in the process, as his tip-in with 2 seconds to go in overtime allowed his team to defeat Dreamland Gran Canaria 111-113. His career-best 38 PIR set a club record and was the highest of any player in Round 17.
On a night that will live long in the memory for Cluj fans, Emanuel Cate had a personal-best 23 points after shooting a perfect 9-of-9 from the field, going 8-of-8 on two-pointers and 1-of-1 from behind the arc, as well as making 4-of-5 free throws. Cate also grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, dished 3 assists, made 3 steals, blocked 2 shots and drew 4 fouls.
This is his first MVP of the Round honor the second ever by a Cluj player, with Karel Guzman having received this award back in Round 7.
In second spot is Aris Midea Thessaloniki’s Ronnie Harrell, who had a career-high 36 PIR in a 66-86 win at ratiopharm Ulm. Harrell did a bit of everything on the night, amassing 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, a personal-best 6 steals and 2 blocks, while he also had 1 drawn foul.
T.J. Shorts of Paris Basketball came third with a 34 PIR, which came in his team’s 72-95 victory at Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul. The diminutive guard posted 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 7 fouls drawn as he got a PIR of 30 or more for the fourth time this season.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana big man Karlo Matkovic had a near-perfect night against the London Lions, but it came in defeat. He recorded a season-high 33 PIR, having had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks, 5 drawn fouls and, notably, 0 turnovers.
Rounding out the list of best performers in Round 17 is Nicolas Brussino of Gran Canaria, as his personal-best 30 PIR came after he finished with career-high 30 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 assist and 8 fouls drawn.
Photo: euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup