Panathinaikos AKTOR secured a commanding home victory over Promitheas Vikos Cola (101–69), taking the first step toward qualification for the Stoiximan GBL Finals. Juancho Hernangómez led all scorers with 16 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range.

Panathinaikos AKTOR took control midway through the first quarter and never looked back. The narrow +2 lead (17–15 at 7′) quickly extended to +10 (29–19) within three minutes, as Ergin Ataman’s players increased their defensive intensity and shooting efficiency. The hosts maintained a double-digit advantage (42–31 at 16′), closing the first half with a 13-point lead (58–45).

After the halftime break, the tempo of the game intensified, with Panathinaikos AKTOR steadily widening the gap. Within two minutes, the +12 lead (65–53 at 24′) grew to +17 (70–53 at 26′), and by the end of the third quarter, the margin had reached +19 (77–58).

In the final period, Panathinaikos AKTOR continued to apply pressure, ultimately securing a dominant 32-point victory (101–69).

Quarters: 29–19, 58–45, 77–58, 101–69.
Panathinaikos AKTOR (Ataman): Kalaitzakis 10 (2), Brown 9 (3), Moraitis 2, Sloukas 14 (2), Osman 5 (1), Samodurov 4, Papapetrou 7 (1), Grant 7 (1), Nunn 5 (1), Hernangómez 16 (5), Mitoglou 7, Yurtseven 15.
Promitheas Vikos Cola (Papatheodorou): Lountzis 16 (3), Bazinas 6 (2), Shittu 6, Lagios 2, Prekas, Oikonomopoulos 9 (1), Varnado 10, Iwundu 3, Karagiannidis 5, Williams 12 (2).

Ataman: “We earned a clear victory”

Ergin Ataman spoke following Panathinaikos AKTOR’s home win over Promitheas Vikos Cola, highlighting the importance of the first playoff victory and how the team is managing preparations ahead of the Final Four.

His full statement:

“We started the game slowly, but after the fifth minute, we increased our defensive aggressiveness and began scoring in transition. We moved the ball well. However, our first-half defense wasn’t satisfactory overall, as we allowed 45 points. In the second half, we improved, protected our paint, and found points again through fast breaks and pick-and-roll plays.

Ultimately, we secured a clear win. Of course, I must note that Promitheas Vikos Cola was missing two of their key guards, which made it difficult for their coach to manage the game. We got the first win and now we need one more to reach the finals.

More than resting players—since they always want to play—it’s important to give meaningful minutes to those who didn’t play much in the series against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, like Ioannis Papapetrou and Lorenzo Brown. Both played well tonight, and that will be crucial moving forward, as we need everyone ready for the Final Four.”

On whether he would have preferred this game after a demanding series against Anadolu Efes: “Our focus is solely on the series against Promitheas Vikos Cola. Once it’s over, we’ll have time to prepare for the Final Four and train with greater intensity—provided we advance to the finals.”