By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The first installment of the Derby of the Eternal Enemies in Greece was played in Round 2 of the 2025-26 Stoiximan GBL Regular Season with Olympiacos edging out Panathinaikos Aktor, 90-86.
The Greens led by 12 points in the second quarter, but did not hold on for a win in the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
Sasha Vezenkov cut the deficit to five points with a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the first half, signaling a momentum shift. He ended up with a game-high 22 points, including 9/9 two-pointers. Tyler Dorsey chipped in 16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Evan Fournier remained out for the team coached by Giorgos Bartzokas, alongside Thomas Walkup, Shaquielle McKissic, Keenan Evans, and Moustapha Fall.
Dealing with right knee discomfort over recent days, since Round 3 of the 2025-26 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and a meeting with Baskonia on Thursday, Kendrick Nunn was a late scratch on Sunday. Marius Grigonis was left out of the lineup due to league restrictions on foreign players. Giannis Kouzeloglou and Mathias Lessort were inactive as well.
In a significantly more important role in SEF compared to the game plan with Nunn available, T.J. Shorts II stood out for Ergin Ataman’s side with 19 points plus five assists and five rebounds.
The defending GBL champions went up to 2-0, joining AEK and Peristeri at the top of the standings.
Heavy hitters for AEK and Peristeri
Earlier, Chris Silva netted 8/8 two-pointers en route to a game-high 24 points for AEK in a win, 93-73, against Panionios.
Also, Ty Nichols and Riley Abercrombie scored 24 and 23 points, respectively, lifting Peristeri over Mykonos Betsson, 89-83.
GBL Round 2
Aris Betsson – Kolossos H Hotels 65-73
Promitheas Vikos Cola – Maroussi 93-88
PAOK – Iraklis 84-82
AEK – Panionios 93-73
Peristeri – Mykonos Betsson 89-83
Olympiacos – Panathinaikos Aktor 90-86
STANDINGS: Peristeri 4 (2-0), AEK 4 (2-0), Olympiacos 4 (2-0), Iraklis 3 (1-1), PAOK 3 (1-1), Promitheas Vikos Cola 3 (1-1), Kolossos H Hotels 3 (1-1), Panathinaikos Aktor 3 (1-1), Karditsa Iaponiki 2 (1-0)…