The return phase of the first legs of the Leaders Cup PRO B starts this Friday. Several teams are already obliged to win, in order to stay alive in the race for the quarter-finals.
Beaten at the start of the group stage by Poitiers, Élan Béarnais has since crossed paths with PB 86, in the Coupe de France, and was able to react by winning in Orthez. However, they failed to follow up against La Rochelle in the Leaders Cup. With two defeats in two matches, they have no other choice but to win in Vienna this Friday.
Antibes can also take its revenge
Against Aix-Maurienne, Antibes also lost – narrowly (-2), certainly – in the first match of the season. Not yet in place in mid-September, the Sharks managed to find more collective bonding. Winning at the AzurArena against AMSB would allow them to return to their height, and probably to regain the point-average, and thus glimpse a qualification for the final phases.
In Pool C, Nantes is in the lead and will have the opportunity to validate its No. 1 place in the event of a victory over its pursuer, Angers. Laurent Pluvy’s men would indeed have two victories ahead of the EAB. Last week, they won in Anjou by scoring 103 points, with a double-double from the latest addition Bryce Nze (12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for 24 ratings).
Rouen and Gries-Souffel hope to stay alive
In Évreux, Rouen was struck by lightning to launch its 2023-2024 season. Since then, the promoted player has not managed to rectify the situation against Champagne Basket. Sylvain Delorme’s players must win at home, continue their fourth outing in the competition and hope for a three-way tie at the end of the first phase.
For Gries-Souffel, the equation is the same. Julien Espinosa’s group lost both against Lille and at Denain. This Friday, they meet the Dragons with the firm intention of getting back on their feet. Reference interior in the division, Jonathan Augustin-Fairell will have to be muzzled, unlike last week (17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists for 22 evaluation).
Finally, Vichy and Boulazac find themselves in group E, the only one where the three teams have the same record (1 victory and 1 defeat) at the end of the first three days. On the way out, however, the BBD won. Since then, JAV has responded with a 20-point victory against Saint-Chamond. Will Alexandre Ménard’s training be able to confirm in Allier? The answer this Friday evening.
The program for this fourth day of Leaders Cup PROB :
Poitiers vs Pau-Lacq-Orthez at 8 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group D)
Antibes vs Aix-Maurienne at 8 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group F)
Nantes vs Angers at 8 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group C)
Rouen vs Evreux at 8 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group B)
Gries-Souffel vs Denain at 8 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group A)
Vichy vs Boulazac at 8:30 p.m. this Friday September 29 (group E)
#D04 #PauLacqOrthez #Rouen #GriesSouffel #backs #wall #PROB
