Apoel Nicosia wins SuperCup

Apoel Nicosia lifted the Cyprus SuperCup for the ninth time as last season’s Division A champions beat Cyprus Cup winners Apollon Limassol 74-58.

Apoel Nicosia vs. Apollon Limassol, 74-8
Apollon got the game underway with a triple, but Apoel quickly registered and paced to an early lead, with the board reading 6-5. The league champs had a solid synergy between defence and attack as they went on an 11-0 run that opened the score at 17-5. The Blue and Whites responded with six points without reply, by Nicosia held a significant 21-13 lead at the first buzzer.

The defending SuperCup holders were in better touch at the start of the second period and set about extending their advantage. A 19-5 blitz followed as Apoel made it a 22 point game at 40-18 after 16 minutes on the hardwood. Limassol responded with a mini flurry (3-9), but “galazokitrinous” was in control at 46-27 at the long break.

Apoel sought to close up at the back in the third quarter, and the lack of emphasis on attacking plays led to some breakaways collapsing. Apollon too tried to shore up at the perimeter to avoid being humiliated, but that meant there was no way back into the game for the Cup holders. Through thirty minutes the deficit remained at 19 points, with the board reading 56-37.

Limassol harried at the start of the final stanza in a bid to mount a last gasp comeback, and with 34 minutes played the gap was reduced (63-49). However, Apoel Nicosia woke up and ended the game in a rush, outpacing their opponents down the stretch to record a comfortable win.

Anthony Roberson led the winning team with 19 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Jerry Evans with 15 points and 8 boards. Vassilis Kounnas took 9 points and 9 assists, earning him the MVP.

Milos Markovic was the pick from the losing effort with 14 points and 5 rebounds, with Craig Blackmon with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 dimes, while Russell Walker scored 10 points.