After three seasons in Elite 2/Pro B, Pau is on the verge of returning to the top league. Their recent victory in Orléans, however, was a testament to their perseverance. Facing an 8,000-strong home crowd and trailing by nine points with just over three minutes left, Pau’s point guard Fabio Milanese ignited a comeback with 11 points in three minutes. François Wibaut, who finished as the team’s top scorer with 18 points, sank a crucial three-pointer to secure the win.
“The important thing is to advance,” commented coach Mickaël Hay to La République des Pyrénées. “Whether it takes two or three games, winning by one point or twenty, it doesn’t matter. But it’s true that winning in two games gives us precious rest. The battle tonight was incredibly intense. The next game is not until next Friday. This gives us a week to manage recovery, rest, and getting everyone back in shape before we think about what’s next. I don’t know yet who we’ll play, or if we’ll win the final. But what I can tell you is that this victory, the group and I, will remember it for a very, very long time. Managing not to falter when we seemed on the verge of breaking shows immense character. A big round of applause to the boys.”
The opposing coach, Lamine Kebe of OLB, expressed his disappointment, as his team was also aiming for promotion. “It’s very tough. I don’t want to make long speeches because it’s truly difficult to digest. We had an excellent second half for 17 minutes, perhaps playing at one of our best levels all year. But we completely lost our footing in the last three minutes.”
Meanwhile, Poitiers secured a place in a decisive third game by overcoming Nantes 79-88 in overtime, thanks to a last-second three-pointer from Imanol Prot. This means Pau will have to wait to discover their ultimate opponent.
Mickaël Hay (Pau) : “A big hat tip to the boys”
Pau, after three seasons in the Elite 2/Pro B league, is nearing a return to the top division. Their recent challenging away win against Orléans exemplifies their fighting spirit. Trailing by nine points with just over three minutes remaining against a boisterous crowd of 8,000, Pau’s point guard Fabio Milanese spearheaded a crucial comeback, scoring 11 points in three minutes. François Wibaut, who led the team with 18 points, then hit a decisive three-point shot.
Coach Mickaël Hay shared with La République des Pyrénées, “The key is to progress. Whether it takes two or three games, or a win by one point or twenty, it’s all the same. However, advancing in two games provides us with valuable recovery time. The intensity of tonight’s contest was extraordinary. Our next match is on Friday, giving us a week to focus on player care, rest, and ensuring everyone is in top condition before we consider the next steps. I’m uncertain about our next opponent or the outcome of the final. But I can assure you this victory is one the team and I will remember for a very long time. The ability to maintain composure when we appeared to be collapsing demonstrates incredible character. A huge acknowledgment to the players.”
OLB’s coach, Lamine Kebe, whose team was also vying for promotion, conveyed his dismay. “This is incredibly difficult. I don’t wish to elaborate, as this loss is very hard to accept. We played exceptionally well for 17 minutes of the second half, arguably at our highest level this year. However, we lost control completely in the final three minutes.”
In another playoff match, Poitiers forced a deciding game on their home court by defeating Nantes 79-88 in overtime, with Imanol Prot hitting a game-tying three-pointer with one second left. Consequently, Pau must await the outcome of this series to learn their final opponent.
