In the BNXT play-offs, four games were scheduled on Wednesday night. In two cases, the game was won by the visiting team. Okapi Aalst beat Aris Leeuwarden and Telenet Giants Antwerp had a big win against Phoenix Brussels.

By: Martin Hoekstra
Photo: Jos van Moorsel & Adrie Hoogesteger

Basketball Academie Limburg – Zeeuw & Zeeuw Feyenoord Basketball 69-68
Zeeuw & Zeeuw Feyenoord Basketball had the better of the game before half-time. With Jeroen van der List back in the lineup after an injury, the Rotterdammers led by Jarrid Rhodes (21 points) jumped to a 31-41 halftime lead. After the break, Donovan Mitchell (15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists) helped Basketbal Academie Limburg get back on track. In the final phase, BAL almost saw a 69-63 lead evaporate: 69-68. Important contributions came from Neil Masnic and Marijan Obad, who both scored 11 points. Chaed Wellian scored 14 points for Feyenoord. The decision will be made on Sunday in Rotterdam.

Aris Leeuwarden – Okapi Aalst 61-78
Thanks to Shavon Coleman (19 points) Okapi Aalst had a good start: 2-13. It took three minutes before the first score for Aris Leeuwarden, where Nigel Pruitt was already facing two personal fouls within one and a half minutes. Led by José Dimitri Maconda (12 points), Aris Leeuwarden got back in the game: 32-33 was the halftime score. In the third quarter the Frisians briefly took the lead, but at 50-54 the last quarter started. Okapi Aalst took a big lead after all: 61-78. Quin Cooper also scored 12 points for Aris Leeuwarden. Reinder Brandsma, returning from injury, had a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Ivan Maras scored 18 points for the team from Aalst.

Phoenix Brussels – Telenet Giants Antwerp 63-95
Phoenix Brussels could forget about qualifying for the next round after 10 minutes. Telenet Giants Antwerp, agitated by the elimination in the Belgian play-offs, had taken an 11-30 lead. Antwerp coach Luc Smout was able to make frequent changes and saw seven players finish in double figures. With a halftime score of 31-57, the final score was 63-95. At Antwerp, still without Markel Brown, Jaylen Hands was the top scorer with 15 points. Niels Van Den Eynde handed out 9 assists. At Phoenix Brussels, Pape Abdou Badji scored a double double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The tall center was the only player who managed to shoot in double figures.

Hubo Limburg United – Spirou Basket Charleroi 84-75
While in the game between Phoenix Brussels and Telenet Giants Antwerp the decision was made in the first 10 minutes, in Hubo Limburg United – Spirou Basket Charleroi it was made in the last 10. For a long time, it seemed to be a smooth victory for the strongest team in the Elite Silver. At half-time, the team from Charleroi was leading 34-47. After three quarters, the margin was still 10 points in favour of the visiting team: 54-64. Yet Charleroi could not pull off the victory. Hubo Limburg United played a fantastic last quarter, winning 30-11. As a result, the Belgian Cup winner took an 84-75 victory. Jonas Delallieux scored 20 points for Limburg United. Tyrell Nelson and Clifford Hammonds contributed 14 points. Jito Kok had a double-double for Charleroi: 15 points and 10 rebounds. Vincent Kesteloot also had 15 points.