The big man dominated in his second-ever EuroLeague appearance
Neal Sako steals spotlight in ASVEL’s first win
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Regular Season
Round 2 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Theo Maledon and Nando De Colo shined in LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s first victory of the season, but it was Neal Sako who stole the spotlight in just his second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game.
Sako saved the game for ASVEL as he blocked Isaia Cordinier’s potential game-tying shot at the buzzer to secure an 87-85 win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
“That last play is just Neal. It’s Neal all the way. He’s a hard worker. He works so hard every morning, after practice, before practice, that he deserves this,” said ASVEL head coach Pierric Poupet after the Round 2 win.
Sako rose to the challenge when it mattered most, stating afterward: “I expected us to win, but I didn’t expect to make the last play of the game. I know that I have to be ready at any moment, whenever the team needs me. I had the chance to be there when it counts.”
Maledon collected 17 points and 5 assists and De Colo tallied 16 points and 8 assists - the latter joining Mike James as the only other player in EuroLeague history with 4,500 points.
Sako, however, led ASVEL with 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds - including 5 offensive rebounds - to go with 2 steals and 2 blocks for a performance index rating of 30.
“I feel great. That is the first win of the season in the EuroLeague. We had been looking for it. I’m really happy for the team, my teammates and the fans that we got the job done tonight,” said Sako, who played the last two seasons with Cholet Basket.
The 26-year-old made a huge jump forward after going for 6 points, 4 rebounds - all of them offensive boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in the season-opening loss to Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.
Sako also has helped ASVEL to three wins in three games in the French League with 6.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
The French talent is just beginning his EuroLeague career, but if his second game is any indicator, this won’t be the last time he steals the spotlight.