ASVEL Crowned French Champions!
ASVEL sealed their destiny as French champions at the Astroballe, clinching the title against Cholet Basket in a decisive playoff encounter.
In this series-clinching quarter-final game, where ASVEL held a 1-0 series lead, the Villeurbanne squad validated their championship aspirations with a 75-67 victory, sweeping the series 2-0.
After establishing a 12-point lead by halftime (42-30), ASVEL saw Cholet narrow the gap to just four points entering the final period (53-49). The decisive momentum swing occurred in the second quarter, a 25-12 run for the home team that built their initial advantage. The prowess of ASVEL's bench, contributing 53 points compared to Cholet's 18, proved instrumental. Off the bench, Melvin Ajinca starred with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, complemented by Mbaye Ndiaye's 6 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, despite ASVEL's overall 37% field goal shooting (25/67). For Cholet, Gerald Ayayi led the charge with 19 points and 3 assists, but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome.
By securing this win, ASVEL concludes their season on a high, crowned as the champions of France.