Betclic ELITE Playoffs: Paris Basketball Takes 2-1 Series Lead After Gritty Win at Cholet in Betclic ELITE Semifinals

Paris Basketball came into hostile territory and left with the upper hand. Playing at La Meilleraie in front of a partisan Cholet crowd, Julius Thomas’ squad delivered a composed, disciplined performance to win Game 3 of their Betclic ELITE semifinal series 95-86. The victory puts Paris one win away from the Finals.

Robinson and Ouattara Power Paris Through a Tense Finish

The game was never truly in doubt until the closing stages, when Cholet mounted a late push to close the gap. Paris, however, refused to crack. As the club’s official communication noted, they « kept their composure against Cholet’s comeback at the end of Game 3. » That mental solidity proved decisive in sealing the result.

Justin Robinson, the Virginia Tech product, was once again the engine driving Paris forward. The point guard finished with 20 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in just under 23 minutes, dictating the pace and managing the game’s critical moments with authority. Yakuba Ouattara complemented him brilliantly with 18 points in 23 minutes, providing the scoring punch Paris needed to maintain their advantage throughout.

Justin Robinson vs Yakuba Ouattara — comparaison

Nadir Hifi added 12 points in 24 minutes, while Daulton Hommes chipped in 8 points. But perhaps the most eye-catching individual performance came from Enzo Shahrvin, who dominated the glass with an extraordinary 15 rebounds to go along with 12 points — all in just 14 minutes of play. That kind of interior presence disrupted Cholet’s rhythm and gave Paris second-chance opportunities that proved invaluable.

Cholet Fought Hard but Couldn’t Find the Answer

Deandre Gholston led the home side with 15 points in 25 minutes, while Nathan De Sousa and Digué Diawara each contributed 12 points. Diawara also grabbed 7 rebounds, and Mohamed Diarra posted 11 points and 6 rebounds. T.J. Campbell rounded out the scoring contributors with 10 points. The effort was there for the Mauges club, but Paris’ collective cohesion and composure in the clutch proved too much to overcome.

The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Paris Basketball, with the capital club firmly in the driver’s seat. A win in Game 4 would send them to the Betclic ELITE Finals. Cholet, playing with their backs against the wall, will need to find a new level to force a decisive Game 5 and keep their season alive.