Victory by absentees for Aris

Even with many absences in its roster, Aris defeated Romanian Valtsea 70-63 in Alexandreio in the first friendly of its summer preparation.

Giannis Kastritis did not have at his disposal Nate Lazevski (abdominal adductor surgery), Vassilis Toliopoulos (he had done only two training sessions with the team after the leave due to the national team), D’Moy Hodge (was kept out due to the discomfort he feels in the anchorman) and, of course, Trey Woodbury, who is expected in Thessaloniki on Tuesday afternoon.

The young Vassilis Kazamias was also absent.

Aris led 7-0, but the Romanians fell to 9-6. The “yellows” reached +8 with Noley and, with Pourlida’s three-pointer, went to +6 and 21-20 in the first period.

DeJulius and Mantzoukas made it 33-26 at 16′ and Bohorides’ three-pointer made it 36-31, for 36-34 at halftime.

Valtsea started the third quarter with an 8-0 run for 36-42, but Aris responded with the same run with two 3-pointers by Giuzelis for 44-42. With five straight points by Noley, Aris went on a 13-3 run for 52-49 at the end of the quarter.

The Thessalonians picked up the pace and with Hatzidakis, Bohoridis turned 52-51 into 60-53. The international guard with another three-pointer made it 64-56 and Noley with his own four points made it 68-60, laying the foundations for the victory.

The quarters: 21-20, 36-34, 52-49, 70-63

ARIS MIDEA: Bohorides 14 (3), Mantzoukas 8 (2), Hatzidakis 3, Giuzelis 8 (2), DeJulius 8 (1), Nolley 17, Roberts 5, Pourlidas 5 (1), Clay 2

VALCEA BC: Blidaru, Davis 3 (1), Rotaru 7 (1), Barnes 8 (2), Olisemeka 4, Sabin 19 (3), Tsiriperou 5 (1), Gray 11, Coica 4, Uta 2