Fenerbahce celebrates President’s Cup

Fenerbahce Istanbul laid down and early season marker against main rival Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the Turkish league curtain raiser. The team defeated Efes 77-69 to win the President’s Cup, the showpiece opening trophy of the campaign.

The President’s Cup pits the Turkish SuperLeague winner against the Turkish Cup winner. After an historic season that was the best in the club’s history through 2015/2016, Fenerbahce entered this contest as the league and cup double winner. The team also made the Euroleague final last season in a campaign for the record books.

Anadolu Efes, Fener’s league and continental rival, was second best last season but has won the Turkish league and indeed the President’s Cup more times than any other club. However, it was not to be this season as Fenerbahce showed it is the team to beat once again.

Fenerbahce vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, 77-69

The league champs were one step ahead for long periods of this game, and managed to nail 37 points in the first half, while Anadolu Efes managed just 29 points. That eight point advantage was maintained through a consolidating third act, allowing Fenerbahce to hold a 64-56 lead through thirty minutes on the hardwood. A low scoring fourth quarter followed as the leaders finished the game off in professional fashion, holding that 8 point cushion by the end of the game.

Bobby Dixon led the scoring for Fenerbahce with 19 points, a haul that was matched by Luigi Datome. Jan Vesely propped up the high scorers with 15 points. For his efforts, Dixon took home the MVP.

Jayson Granger was good for 15 points for Anadolu Efes, followed by Tyler Honeycutt with 13 points in the losing effort.