By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tipping off the 2025-26 campaign in Court Philippe-Chatrier of Stade Roland Garros, AS Monaco overpowered Boulazac, 95-70.
After taking over team practices on Friday, head coach Vassilis Spanoulis guided La Roca Team to the Final of France’s Super Cup on Saturday. His side mishandled a 13-point lead, but ten unanswered points in the third period rebuilt a safe distance.
With Alpha Diallo dropping a team-high 16 points behind 7/10 field goals, Elie Okobo combined 15 points with eight assists, and summer signing Nikola Mirotic added 13 more points, standing out in the semifinal contest. On the wrong end, Angelo Warner recorded a game-high 21 points.
Besides Jordan Loyd officially moving from Monaco to Anadolu Efes, Yoan Makoundou was sidelined due to a preseason injury, and Donatas Motiejunas did not follow the team to Paris. Daniel Theis, who joined the team on Friday, and Nick Calathes were ruled out as well.
Later Saturday, Le Mans found a hot shooting evening and led in double-digits behind for most of the second Semifinal but narrowly held on for a 90-87 victory versus Paris. Shannon Bogues had 20 points, and Trevor Hudgins went for 19 points. On the losing end, Nadir Hifi tallied a game-high 27 points.
Besides Daulton Hommes recovering from knee surgery, the team based in the French capital will miss newcomer Lamar Stevens and Sebastian Herrera for the next few weeks, as announced on Thursday.
Wrapping up the four-team tournament, the Final and third-place games follow on Sunday.