With TJ Shorts kept on the bench, the Greek guard seized his opportunity
Dream night from Vassilis Toliopoulos powers Panathinaikos past Baskonia
Game Report
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 23 of 38
Regular Season
Panathinaikos AKTOR AthensPAO
9374
Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-GasteizKBA
Overview
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“It was something unbelievable,” Vassilis Toliopoulos said after delivering a career-best scoring performance to lift Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to a comfortable 93-74 win over Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz.
“I couldn’t imagine I would be in this situation, with Panathinaikos fans chanting my name. Such a historical team. You can’t imagine my feelings right now, and I thank them so much for the support.”
The home crowd’s chants were well deserved. Despite appearing in just two EuroLeague games this season and averaging 1.5 points per contest, the 29-year-old seized his opportunity Tuesday night, pouring in a game-high 21 points to lead the Greens to victory.
Entering the matchup with the stronger record and home-court advantage, Panathinaikos were clear favorites. Still, the contest opened evenly, with neither side able to fully assert control. That changed late in the first quarter, when the hosts pulled away with a scoring surge led by center Richaun Holmes.
The momentum continued into the second period, as Panathinaikos stretched the lead behind swarming defense and efficient shot-making. By halftime, the Greeks had opened up a 17-point cushion and firmly taken command.
The third quarter belonged entirely to Toliopoulos. The Greek guard caught fire from beyond the arc, pushing the margin further and putting the game well out of Baskonia’s reach. He eventually exited to a standing ovation, his name echoing throughout Telekom Center Athens.
In a season-high 26 minutes, Toliopoulos knocked down 5-of-9 attempts from three-point range and finished 6-of-12 from the field overall. He added 5 assists and did not commit a single turnover. Afterward, he credited his performance to staying ready.
“As a player, I am always ready. I don’t care what happened in the past,” Toliopoulos said. “If I wait one month to play, or one year, I will always be ready to help my team, and that’s what I did today.”
Kostas Sloukas was one of three other Panathinaikos players to score in double figures, along with Holmes and Alexandros Samodurov. Sloukas expressed pride in his compatriot’s breakout showing and hopes it can become a regular contribution.
“He’s a good player,” Sloukas said. “I respect him a lot. He’s aggressive, and I like this – Panathinaikos basketball. He sacrifices his body on offense and defense. He played an excellent game today, and now he has to find the power to continue like this.”
Head coach Ergin Ataman also praised Toliopoulos for capitalizing on his opportunity, with fellow guard TJ Shorts having the first DNP of his career. While noting that the return of Kendrick Nunn and others from injury will affect the rotation, Ataman said the guard earned his moment.
“Players like Toliopoulos and Samodurov take minutes in the Greek League to show they’re ready,” Ataman said. “This week, I saw that both players were ready, and now we can use them in the EuroLeague.”
The win moved Panathinaikos to 14-9 on the season and strengthens its push for a playoff spot. They will travel to Menora Mivtachim Arena on Thursday to face Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv.
Baskonia, meanwhile, dropped to 8-15 as its two-game winning streak came to an end. Paolo Galbiati’s side will next face reigning champions Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Friday.
