Paris (AFP)
Successful return for Villeurbanne: the defending champion perfectly launched his season by winning without trembling at the Astroballe against Limoges (94-84) Sunday at the close of the first day of Elite.
A success signed by the Guyanese Jean-Charles Livio, designated without discussion the best player of the match with 19 points collected and 100% shooting success.
Although Edwin Jackson did not perform at his side, for his return to the club where he made his professional debut, stacking 17 points.
"The first home games are still tough, the essential is assured against a valiant team from Limoges," said Jackson on Twitter
The Asvel widened the gap at the end of the 2nd quarter time to switch with a 12-point lead at the half-time (47-35) and secure a welcome win after the premature elimination in the Coupe de France that had made it bad like Tuesday.
Limoges, qualified for the play-offs at the price of a big comeback from the mid-season last year, could only limit the damage against the biggest budget of the championship which flew to +16 in the last quarter time.
Favorite to his succession, Villeurbanne can from Wednesday put the pressure on his competitors, including the main, Monaco, in case of victory against Boulazac at the Astroballe advanced game of the 14th day of Elite.
© 2019 AFP