It was on a buzzer shot that Victor Wembanyama gave his Boulogne-Levallois club victory in the last seconds against his former team ASVEL. A precious success (84-83) at the end of the 16th day. On the other hand, the period is more difficult for Lyon-Villeurbanne, which has a third consecutive loss, after two defeats in the Euroleague.
On the rebound after yet another breakthrough from Tremont Waters, the 2.21m giant offered success to his family with an authoritarian dunk, before raising an angry fist.
A hung match
However, the game was anything but easy for the new star of world basketball, well muzzled by his old training, left last summer. The Mets raced in the lead at the start of the game thanks in particular to point guard Hugo Besson, author of eight consecutive points for his team at the end of the first quarter.
Opposite, the leader of the Blues Nando De Colo answered him by being inspired during the second quarter, author of several important baskets to keep Asvel in contact with the Ile-de-France (44-41 at halftime).
At the same time, in defense, TJ Parker’s men maintained an effective vice around Wembanyama.
“Wembanyama “patient”
“Wemby”, who celebrated his 19th birthday on January 4, had a tough game, but was able to count on more lively teammates, like the confusing point guard Tremont Waters (28 points).
“I liked the fact that he (Wembanyama) remains calm, and I found that he had been rather patient. He was more at the service of the team than in the last matches”, underlined his coach Vincent Collet after the game.
Often just, the Rhodaniens have always known how to stay in contact, conceding little ground to Vincent Collet’s players, and even took the lead at the end of the third quarter to lead by five points with three minutes remaining.
But the Metropolitans revolted, carried by their two Ws: Waters, who multiplied the devastating rushes in the racket, and Wembanyama, refusing the defeat that was looming. The former Asvel made the 2,800 people in the Ile-de-France room exult, sold out for this shock of top ranking. The two men scored the last nine points for their team, for a success synonymous with a return to second place, up to Cholet, winner of Nanterre on Saturday, and a victory for leader Monaco.
Third loss in a row for Asvel
“It’s a very important victory because we now have three wins ahead of the Villeurbannais”, rejoiced Vincent Collet.
However, the period is more difficult for Lyon-Villeurbanne, which has a third consecutive loss, after two defeats in the Euroleague.
“We made a lot of mistakes,” lamented Asvel coach TJ Parker, quite upset after the defeat.