Petteri Koponen Watch: Boykins free addition

H.T. providing us with the latest on the Italian adventures of Finnish Superstar and Blazers draftee Petteri Koponen...

Virtus Bologna seem to have recovered from that 26 point blowout at Montepaschi Siena faster than expected. FIBA EuroChallenge Cup action tipped off after Christmas break again this Tuesday at FuturShow Station in Bologna, when Estonian team Tartu Rock came to town trying to avenge their 73-75 loss against Bologna a month earlier.

Even though Virtus' leading scorer Earl Boykins didn't play because of FIBA sanctions, Virtus had no difficulties taking the 95-85 (53-46) victory and improving to 5-0, clinching the top spot in their group. Six players scored double figures for Bologna, lead by Keith Langford (25pts) and Ntousan Tsalikis-Vouktsevits (14p). Shooting guard Gert Kullamäe lead Tarto with 27 points.

I'm also glad to announce that Petteri Koponen maintained to double his total point saldo in EuroChallenge Cup against Tarto. In 27 minutes, Petteri scored 13 points (FG 4-9 FT 3-3) to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 4 personal fouls. In four games of EuroChallenge Cup action, Koponen is averaging 5,2 points, 1,2 rebounds and 0,8 assists in 16,4 minutes a game.

Virtus play their last EuroChallenge Cup regular season game Tuesday 13th of January on the road against Russian team CSK-VVS Samara (lead by Marque Perry). After the regular season is over, two best teams of each group proceed to 16-team advance round.


-H.T.