By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Not only did Facu Campazzo’s performance help Murcia destroy Bilbao 97 – 71 but was sublime enough to earn him MVP honors for Week 13 in the Spanish league.
It was imperative for Murcia to win since they arrived for two defeats in a row in Liga Endesa plus three straight loses in Eurocup. And Campazzo rose to occasion with the poise needed to lead during a game burdened by a “must do” pressure.
The Argentinian point guard dropped 24 points (shooting 4/8 2-point shots, 3/5 from the perimeter, 7/8 free throws) dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds for 36 evaluation credits. More than any other this week in Liga Endesa, registering career-high which surpassed his previous record (33 in a 76 – 72 victory of Murcia vs Andorra last year).
Furthermore, the combination of his numbers is rather unique. How? Well Campazzo is only the third player that finishes a Spanish championship game with at least 24 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds since 2002.
What makes Campazzo special, though, is the fact his companions in this exclusive list are both big guys.
One of them is Bulgarian Dejan Ivanov who had 27 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in 96 – 94 road victory of Estudiantes vs Tenerife on March 2014. The other?
Why… the great Marc Gasol who finished a game between Girona and Joventut (91 – 83) with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, few months before joining the Memphis Grizzlies on summer 2008.
Campazzo’s accomplishment is pretty impressive and he knows it, but he prefers to keep his feet on the ground. “Winning MVP is something of secondary value”, he said for the official site of ACB.”Obviously it makes me happy and it helps my teammates to win, so I welcome it. This time it was my turn and the next time it will be another player.”
“It was one of the best games of my career”, added the international Argentinian. “Everything happened the way we expected and wanted. We were also indebted to our fans and we were motivated to give victory to our home crowd.”
Winning MVP doesn’t come without a certain… cost! “It’s customary to pay the dinner when you receive this award, so I’ll have to comply and not make my teammates angry,” he joked.