EUROLEAGUE – Africa’s Sato stands tall in Europe

SIENA (Euroleague) - Romain Sato was one of the Afrobasket's most exciting players this summer in Libya, averaging almost 22 points and nine rebounds per game for the Central African Republic.

While he didn't lead his country to a top-three finish and into the FIBA World Championship, Sato drew rave reviews for his displays and now everyone is keeping an eye on the 28-year-old at Montepaschi Siena.

The former player at Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio, is arguably the best player in Italy's Lega A where Montepaschi are cruising along at 4-0.

The 1.95m shooting guard/small forward is also one of the top players in Europe, something that was confirmed on Wednesday night when he tore apart Asvel Basket by scoring 33 points in Montepaschi's 82-65 win in France.

Siena improved to 3-0 in the Euroleague as Sato connected on four of six shots from long range and 12 of 18 from the floor overall.

The performance earned Sato the honor as the Euroleague's Week Three MVP.

Panathinaikos fall at Real Madrid

In the Euroleague on Thursday night, Real Madrid played before 12,700 fans at home and defeated defending champions Panathinaikos 80-70.

Zeljko Obradovic, the Panathinaikos coach, was so impressed with Madrid that he said: "I am not surprised that everyone believes that Real Madrid is one of the favorites to win the Euroleague this season."

Madrid coach Ettore Messina, however, said: "It was a great game against the defending champion, which is always important, but we cannot forget this is just another win.

"This win will make us stronger and teach us to compete in the future."

Both teams are 2-1 in Group D.

In other games, Caja Laboral won 82-76 at Union Olimpija, Maccabi Tel Aviv prevailed 71-54 in Israel over CSKA Moscow, Barcelona won 77-70 at Zalgiris and Partizan Belgrade defeated Entente Olreanaise 78-71.

In one of the strangest situations on the continent, Unicaja Malaga, who have lost all five of their games in the ACB, managed to win for a third straight game in the Euroleague when overcoming Efes Pilsen in Spain on Thursday.

They needed overtime but prevailed 93-88.

FIBA