The Roca Team are through to the Betclic Elite semi-finals after seeing off a defiant Le Mans in a dramatic winner-takes-all Game 3 clash at Gaston Médecin. Monaco sealed an 85-76 victory, powered by a playoff masterclass from Elie Okobo, who racked up 23 points, five assists, and a player efficiency rating of 24.
Despite missing star man Mike James and key bigs Donatas Motiejunas and Daniel Theis, Monaco turned up when it counted. Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, overseeing his first post-season campaign at the helm, watched his side respond to a first-half slugfest with a second-half surge that proved too much for Le Mans to contain.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to take firm control. Alpha Diallo and Matthew Strazel offered glimpses of momentum for Monaco, but the visitors kept finding ways to claw back, finishing the first half just three points behind at 42-39.
Then came the third quarter. Monaco returned from the locker room with fire in their eyes and legs to match. Diallo led by example, and Strazel turned provider, setting up Okobo for a series of highlight-reel plays. A devastating run early in the third blew open a ten-point lead — the biggest of the night — and forced a timeout from Le Mans’ coach Guillaume Vizade less than two minutes into the half.
From there, the damage was done. Okobo’s and-one plays, Blossomgame’s three-point answers, and Mam Jaiteh’s physical presence pushed the Roca Team out of reach. Even when Le Mans mounted a fourth-quarter rally, trimming the gap to six, Okobo again stepped up with cold-blooded scoring and clutch assists. Monaco steadied the ship, nailed their free throws, and shut the door firmly in the final minutes.
The result puts Monaco in the final four, where they’ll face rivals ASVEL in a best-of-five series starting Tuesday night in Villeurbanne. It’s another gruelling test in a hectic playoff schedule, but Monaco, playing with intensity and unity, look ready.
