The ASVEL fell back into old habits this Friday during the 27th round of the EuroLeague against Milan at home, where the Villeurbanne team, now more than ever in last place, suffered its sixth consecutive defeat (77-76) despite a huge end of the match and an excellent Braian Angola (23 points) who missed the shot for the win.
Once known for always returning empty-handed from their away games, ASVEL is now facing a series of losses on their home court. On Friday, in the 27th round of the EuroLeague, the Villeurbanne team, who admittedly have nothing left to hope for or expect in this regular season, conceded their sixth consecutive home defeat against Milan (77-76).
Another setback (the 20th since the beginning of the season) especially regrettable for Pierric Poupet’s players as they had just tasted victory in the last round, on Virtus Bologna’s court, marking their first away win of the season. The players will have a hard time digesting this new disappointment, especially when reflecting on the final quarter, during which their fans must not have recognized them.
Close to hitting rock bottom after coming back from halftime (42-35 for Milan at the break) during a 3rd quarter (25-16) that allowed the Italians and a very good Marko Guduric (18 points, 7 assists) to soar in the score after already outclassing ASVEL (22-15) in the 2nd quarter, Thomas Heurtel and his teammates started the revolt right from the beginning of the last quarter.
And Angola, the man of the match, missed the game-winning shot…
Fueled by an excellent Braian Angola, the Colombian guard who arrived mid-season in Rhône, the top scorer of the match with 23 points, the bottom of the table team embarked on an incredibly wild comeback on paper that they were so close to achieving.
Thanks to Zac Seljaas, also very good on Friday (14 points, 1 assist), but especially to a fired-up Angola at the end of the match (12 points in the last quarter alone out of his 23 in the night), ASVEL came within one point of their opponent.
After a turnover by Shields, Angola even had the ball to help his team snatch the victory and end this home losing streak. Unfortunately for the Colombian, he missed the target on his last attempt. Two seconds before the buzzer. The Villeurbanne team, more than ever at the bottom, can regret not waking up earlier.