Anadolu Efes superstar Larkin named MVP for 4th time

ANKARA

Turkey's Anadolu Efes superstar Shane Larkin earned the most valuable player (MVP) honor for four straight rounds in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Saturday.

"For a fourth consecutive round, the MVP award did not change hands as the unstoppable Shane Larkin wowed everyone again by powering league-leading Anadolu Efes Istanbul to a 75-80 road win at second-place Real Madrid on Friday," the EuroLeague said.

Larkin became the MVP once again as the 27-year-old point guard had a brilliant solo performance against Real Madrid (32 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals) in Friday's highly-anticipated Turkish Airlines EuroLeague showdown.

He got a performance index rating of 36 to be the MVP for the Round 21.

Olympiacos' Greek veteran guard Vassilis Spanoulis scored 31 points and produced 7 assists to have a performance index rating of 33 as the Greek team lost to Russia's Zenit 91-87.

EuroLeague leaders Anadolu Efes beat Real Madrid 80-75 to stay on top of the standings.

Anadolu Efes had 18-3 win/loss record in EuroLeague's regular season.

Real Madrid were down to the third spot with 15 wins and 6 losses.

Separately, the Istanbul team ended its 15-year-ill fate in Madrid as its last victory against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital came in January 2005.