NM1 (15th day). Union Tarbes/Lourdes, without their coach Christianos Chougaz, whose departure will soon be made official, offered the Rennes leader on Friday evening (87-77). Nice reaction from the U’Boys.
After dropping the match in Vendée, and not only, Tuesday evening against Les Sables (30-7 in the last quarter, 80-72 defeat), the Tarbo-Lourdais were expected at the turn for their reunion with the Bigourdan public. If only in envy while a scent of crisis floats over the UTLPB.
Against the Rennes leader, with a Valentin Yedra propelled on the bench as n°1 to ensure the interim of a Chris Chougaz whose departure has not yet been formalized, the Union has not really done sparks in the game to start the meeting. The fault of too many ball losses which could have cost much more if the Bretons had shown more realism. In this context, being led by only 18-22 at the end of the first quarter seemed to be the lesser evil while among the Bretons, Ibrahima Sidibé showed good dispositions (12 points at the break).
Dominating in the racket, the Union showed the best, the minutes scrolling by. Devante Wallace made his exterior address speak with three consecutive winners (38-28, 18th). Enough to provoke the reaction of the leader, undefeated on the road since his defeat at Lorient at the start of the season (40-36, MT).
Upon returning from the locker room, Tarbes-Lourdes unfolded almost in a dream, carried by an insolent distant success with always the American Wallace well assisted by Clément Morel or Tom Wiscart-Goetz (69-52, 30th). To understand nothing more: the locals played with confidence like a top team when the Rennais showed a form of resignation – even fatalism (like this technical fault inflicted on Rémi Dibo) – as to the unfolding of the evening.Like what, where there is a will, there is always a way to clear a path to success.The UTLPB is reviving in a beautiful way, the URB is experiencing a real setback: many people would have bet on this outcome at kick-off…
