Panathinaikos BC AKTOR defeated Peristeri Betsson on the road 82–79, in a game for the 6th round of the Stoiximan GBL. Top scorer for the «Greens» was Kendrick Nunn with 27 points.

The game began with Panathinaikos BC AKTOR taking an early lead (0–2), but Peristeri Betsson quickly tied the game and went ahead 7–2. The «Greens» responded with consecutive baskets to make it 15–15 and then took the lead (17–15). Peristeri Betsson briefly regained the advantage (22–19), before Panathinaikos BC AKTOR tied it again at 22–22.

At 11’, Panathinaikos BC AKTOR went up 22–24, and by 13’ the «Trifylli» extended the gap to +6 (24–30). The visitors kept pushing, completing a 14–2 run to reach a double-digit lead (24–36). Peristeri Betsson reacted and tied the game 43–43 at 19’, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR closed the half in front (43–48).

The «Trifylli» started strong in the second half, leading by +9 at 23’ (43–52), but a 8–0 run by the hosts brought it down to 51–52. However, the «Greens» responded immediately with a 10–0 run of their own to make it 51–62 at 27’.

By the 32nd minute, the gap had widened to 56–70, and Panathinaikos BC AKTOR sealed the road victory with a final score of 72–89.

Quarter scores: 22–22, 43–48, 56–67, 72–89.

Peristeri Betsson (Xanthopoulos): Nichols 13 (3), Cardenas 5 (1), Petrakis 3 (1), Payne 4, Itounas 12 (4), Mouratos, Thomakos, Abercrombie 8 (2), Kaklamanakis 9, Harris 16 (1), Asimenios, Papageorgiou 2.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 7, Kalaitzakis, Osman 7 (1), Sloukas 4, Rogkavopoulos 4, Samontourov 4 (1), Grant 9 (1), Kouzeloglou 8, Nunn 27 (5), Grigonis 9 (3), Hernangomez 3 (1), Mitoglou 7.

Ataman: “We got a clear win”

Panathinaikos AKTOR head coach Ergin Ataman spoke at the press conference following the away game against Peristeri Betsson:

“We approached this game seriously because we’ve seen Peristeri Betsson getting important wins lately in Greece and Europe. It was important for us that certain players showed good form, like Nunn, who did a great job offensively. Defensively, we were aggressive, we didn’t make many mistakes, and we protected our paint. We got a clear win.

Your colleagues wrote that we signed Kenneth Faried. We hope he will arrive in Athens tomorrow. After the medical tests, if he’s ready, we’ll try to use him during the double week. There’s no progress regarding Charles Bassey; we’re working on it, but cases like that – NBA players – take time. We also want to see how Yurtseven feels; it’s 50-50 for him to play some minutes in the double week.

Right now, if we don’t count Mitoglou, we don’t have a center. So, we’re searching more and more. I hope Lessort will be with us, but the situation isn’t clear yet — whether he will undergo therapy or surgery. There are discussions with several doctors before making a decision. We’re looking at every good player who can help the team. Faried will sign a two-month contract, and then we’ll decide if he stays with us or not.

We can’t change the system that gave us the titles in Greece and Europe. Shorts needs to adapt and understand our system. We know he’s trying to play his own basketball. He’s a great player, and we’ll find solutions. The problem is that there’s too much talk from players, agents, people who are no longer active in the sport. The ones who should speak are the players. I wasn’t satisfied with him today either. We have many guards — whoever plays well will play; otherwise, he’ll wait for his turn. That’s the reality. We can’t change our system for one player. I hope he’ll help us in the future.”