ULEB Cup draw profile: Akasvayu Girona
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Akasvayu Girona has made an outstanding debut in the ULEB Cup by clinching first place with a 7-3 record in a tough group with Hemofarm and Galatasaray. Head coach Pedro Martinez's Spanish side lost its first game of the season at Galatasaray - nearly finishing off a miracle comeback to lose by two points on the road. But the 2007 FIBA EuroCup champion ripped off five straight victories - the last one an 11-point revenge at home over Galatasaray. Girona, however, stumbled in Week 7 at Hemofarm - again losing despite a fourth quarter comeback. Akasvayu returned to form and dominated its next two opponents - winning by 14 points at Hanzevast Capitals and 20 points at home against Spirou Charleroi. But Martinez's team dropped its final game of the regular season at CSU Asesoft. The loss was somewhat more bearable since Girona had already clinched first place, and Asesoft was still playing for a slim chance to advance to the Final 32.  After an up-and-down first seven games, Girona's leading scorer power forward Jackson Vroman carried Girona over the final three-game stretch, averaging 27.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks. And center Marc Gasol showed stretches of dominance throughout, averaging 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists, including an outstanding 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks at Hemofarm. Martinez juggled his starting lineup throughout the regular season, rotating backcourt and wing players Jarod Stevenson, Branko Cvetkovic, Arriel McDonald, Roman Montanez and Victor Sada. The 23-year-old guard playmaker Sada started the final three games and averaged 3.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 3.0 steals in that stretch, including playing the final two games without a turnover. Sada's emergence and the continued dominance of Vroman will be key to Girona's chances of continuing its dream debut.
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POST-DRAW REACTIONS | Akasvayu Girona head coach, Pedro Martinez:"Elan Chalon was one of the teams that could match against us and we did not have any preferences. There are still some days left for the confrontation, we have to keep on taking notes studying their game but the most important thing is now the Spanish League and Cup. Chalon is a team that has not been one of the best in their group although we have to respect them, because the play-offs are always complicated." | Akasvayu Girona general manager Antonio Maceiras:"It is always difficult to valorate our opponents' strength, but at the same time, it is true that Chalon is close to Girona that is something we have to be thankful for. Of course, Elan Chalon will be a tough opponent and we must be ready to give our best against them. We may be the only Spanish team with no ULEB Cup elimination round experience, but we won a European competition last season. It was an interesting, tough competition and it wasn't easy to get the title. I don't think we can be considered as a ULEB Cup newcomer even when there are teams with more experience in this competition. I like the ULEB Cup format, with a short regular season, two elimination rounds and the Final Eight. I am sure that the Final Eight will be a basketball party. Maybe I would have nine regular season groups instead of eight to make things easier for everyone to understand. It is a dynamic, interesting competition system, however, and we felt really good in it. Our fans will now have the chance to enjoy a great competition." |
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