EUROCUP – Alba win at DKV and clinch first place in Group I

BADALONA (Eurocup) - Alba Berlin joined the Eurocup Quarter-Final party on Tuesday night by winning at DKV Joventut in Badalona, Spain.

In a battle of 3-2 teams on the final night of Last 16 play, the German outfit erupted for 33 fourth-quarter points and prevailed 68-62 to improve to 4-2.

Immanuel McElroy led a balanced Alba attack with 14 points.

To make the night even sweeter for Luka Pavicevic's side was the defeat suffered by Aris Thessaloniki at Le Mans.

That allowed Alba to clinch first place in Group I ahead of Aris, who lost twice to Le Mans.

The Alba win spoiled the DKV coaching debut of Pepu Hernandez, the man who guided Spain to their world title in 2006.

"Alba defended us well and we were nervous and not fluid on offense," Hernandez said.

"Alba played intelligently and was very successful in the fourth quarter.

"With time, I think my players will understand the kind of basketball that I want to play.

"Alba's players' experience took its toll."

DKV are going through a difficult period, and Hernandez knows it's important to find some positives from performances to build his players' confidence.

"Despite losing," he said, "in many parts of the game we were solid on defense."

DKV will now turn their attention to the ACB.

They are 11-13 and in 11th place going into this weekend's home game against Ayuda en Acción Fuenlabrada.

Aris missed the chance to finish top of Group I when falling 79-75 at Le Mans.

France's Antoine Diot, a player looking to cement his spot in the national team for the FIBA World Championship, scored 18 points, handed out four assists, corralled three rebounds and came up with three steals.

Marc Salyers led Le Mans with 25 points.

Power Electronics Valencia won on Tuesday at home against Unics Kazan and finished first in Group J ahead of Hapoel Jerusalem.

Ukraine international Serhiy Lishchuk poured in 18 points for the Valencia team in their 91-81 triumph.

Serbia's Kosta Perovic scored 10 points, corralled six rebounds and had three steals for the winners.

Hapoel won at Galatasaray 111-98 and finished second behind Aris.

Yuval Naimy had 27 points and Tre Simmons 25 for Hapoel.

Bizkaia Bilbao Basket lost 77-70 at Panellinios but still beat the Greek team to first place in Group K with both sides 4-2.

In Group L, Gran Canaria rolled to an 81-58 home victory over Red Star Belgrade and Turk Telekom prevailed 94-84 at CEZ Nymburk.

The Spanish club finished first ahead of Nymburk, who split their two games with Red Star but had a superior goal differential and thus finished second.

FIBA