FRA – Cholet capture first French league title

PARIS (LNB) - Mickael Gelabale had a difficult start to the 2009-10 season in America but a glorious finish back home in France.

The 27-year-old led his team to an 81-65 victory over Le Mans in the LNB play-off final at Paris-Bercy.

Gelabale had 11 points and finished a rebound shy of a double-double.

Cholet, who qualified for the Euroleague with the win, only led 40-28 at the interval but pulled away in in the second half.

"When I was in the USA, I followed the results of Cholet and I saw that they started well and, frankly, I did well to come back here," Gelabale said.

"It's really amazing what we did this year. Every game we played together.

"No one ever wanted to be the hero. We played tonight like we played the last 10 months.

"It's our strong point. We get super good, we're all on the same wavelength."

Gelabale was a star on the rise at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and after his second season at Real Madrid (2007-08), he had an encouraging start to life in the NBA with Seattle but injuries conspired against him.

He began the year trying to continue his career in the NBA but in November returned to Cholet, the club he played for from 2001-2004,

"For me it's (the French title) is great because I really struggled for two years," he said.

"When I was hurt in Seattle and I couldn't find a team, I asked myself a lot of questions.

"Returning to Cholet helped me rediscover the joy of playing basketball."

Gelabale will be hoping for a return to the national team this summer when France play at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

He played down his MVP award.

Gelabale was four of 11 shooting from the floor and was three of three at the charity stripe.

"If I had to designate the MVP of this game, I would choose ... especially not me," he said.

"In the first half I wasn't there. Honestly, I say the team (is the MVP)."

Another who would have been deserving of the honor was Randal Falker.

The unassuming, laid-back power forward/center who has developed into one of the top big men in the French league he had 14 points and four boards.

His presence was all the more important with young Frenchman Kevin Seraphin unable to win his fitness battle after injuring his knee the semi-finals.

Defeat in the final was a sad ending to the season for Le Mans.

Joao Paulo Batista, the Brazil international center of Le Mans, said: "They were stronger and smarter than us.

"We were out of our rhythm.

"We had a lot of trouble moving the ball. There is not much to say.

"They deserved their title."

FIBA