It will be a matter of shivering and sweating for Brussels to reach the play-offs: “We must continue to believe in our mission” (Brussels)

It will be shivering and sweating for Basket Brussels in the last week of Elite Silver. If it wants to reach the Belgian play-offs (starts May 8-9), it must win against Den Helder Suns on Tuesday and Brussels must confirm against Feyenoord a few days later (Friday, May 3) in Neder-Over-Heembeek. At the same time, we must hope that the three leaders – Kangaroos Mechelen, Bergen and Leuven Bears – fail. In concrete terms: one of those three teams must lose the last two games. In the event of a tie, Brussels is then qualified for the play-offs. Coach Serge Crevecoeur’s team was the best Belgian team in Elite Silver after the Domestic League, the Belgian regular phase. So they have a positive attitude towards the rest.

Last match day, the play-off dream almost shattered for Basket Brussels, which still has to survive without Jelani-Watson Gayle and Thomas Hanquiez. Against Kortrijk Spurs, after a 48-41 bonus, they faced a 63-65 deficit halfway through three quarters. The people of Brussels faltered, but were still able to change course in the final quarter. Alex Libert (19 points, 5 rebounds), Louis Hazard and Brandon Horvath (11 points, 17 rebounds) were supported by Jared Ambrose (19 points). After a sparkling final quarter (28-17), Basket Brussels eventually won 91-82 and the play-offs still remain possible. Kangaroos Mechelen, Bergen and Leuven Bears were not caught slipping against their Dutch opponents this match day.

Till the end

“We must continue to believe in our mission. Yes, we miss Thomas and Jelani, but we have to move on. Injuries always come at a bad time, you have no control over that. Winning the next two assignments is the message. Unfortunately, we depend on other results. We go to great lengths with this group so that we can’t blame ourselves. Hopefully this will result in qualification for the play-offs,” said man in form Alex Libert.