It's not stress free yet Gameday 13 MVP Suton loves the Basketball Champions League

MADRID (Basketball Champions League) - There is no such thing as an easy game in the Basketball Champions League.

Goran Suton and Movistar Estudiantes were reminded of that on Tuesday night, when Group C leaders Banvit visited Madrid and nearly came all the way back from a 26-point deficit before falling, 78-73.

Banvit might have completed the most stunning turnaround in the competition this season had Suton not gotten a second wind and led Estu to the finish line. The 32-year-old veteran poured in 11 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter.

"They're a very tough team, we started the second half missing some shots and they went on a huge run," Suton said to the Basketball Champions League website. "Then I got going again."

Suton, who also had 12 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block for a +34 efficiency, has been named as the Gameday 13 MVP.

Group C is just loaded, so many good teams, you can lose to anyone. For us to advance would mean a lot for this team. It hasn't been in Europe for a while. I don't even want to talk about lifting a trophy, just advancing.SutonSuton

He knows how special that honor is because there are always a lot of contenders.

"I know it was a tough decision," he said. "I'm proud, we got to beat Banvit and they're a tough team. My teammates get a lot of credit."

Playing in the Basketball Champions League has been a lot of fun, Suton says, but it hasn't come without its share of stress. That's because Suton's team is in the most balanced group.

Only Banvit (9-4) have sealed a spot in the Play-Offs while medi Bayreuth, Estu, SIG Strasbourg (all 8-5), AEK Athens and Umana Reyer Venezia (7-6) head into the last week of the Regular Season still in the hunt for a spot in the Round of 16. Estu's last game is at Umana Reyer Venezia.

"We could have lost (to Banvit) and then we would have gone to Venice with a lot of pressure," Suton said. "That said, there is still pressure because the group is so crazy.

"I enjoy the competitive part of it. I love it. Not qualifying for the next round yet, however, is pretty stressful.

Suton had to bang with Banvit center Gasper Vidmar

"Group C is just loaded, so many good teams, you can lose to anyone. For us to advance would mean a lot for this team. It hasn't been in Europe for a while. I don't even want to talk about lifting a trophy, just advancing."

When Estu are turning on all cylinders, as they were in the first quarter against Banvit, they're awesome. They outscored the Turkish club 32-10 in that frame.

"At times, when we play well, I think we can beat anybody in this league," Suton said. "We have to be more more consistent. We have a great point guard, Omar Cook, and also Sylven (Landesburg), he can score 20 every night, just need others step up. If we make the Play-Offs, we can do some damage."

Jeff Taylor