Credits: official Twitter profile Virtus Bologna
Brescia reached the top of the standings by the two big names in the championship eighty minutes from the end of the regular season.
The defeat of the Lombards in Cremona and the simultaneous successes of Virtus and Olimpia leave us with a trio at the top at the end of the day.
The next round will see the direct clash, at the Assago Forum, between EA7 and Germani.
EA7 MILAN – GIVOVA SCAFATI 99-77
Olimpia Milano convincing in the penultimate home match of the LBA regular season. The Campanians, having achieved salvation, were the perfect opponent for a team in their first week of work without Euroleague commitments. Ettore Messina took care of eleven players without using Poythress because, as confirmed by the coach himself, there was no need. The performance of Caruso (10 points in his first start in the starting five) and of all the Italians was comforting. The quintet with four natives and Shields is the one who drew the decisive break to close the match in the third quarter. The twenty-five assists of the evening were the season high for EA7, a roster that will have to find its definitive identity to face the play-offs of the Italian championship. An important victory that guarantees the Lombards the opportunity of a certain second place (which could also become first with a fall of Virtus) in the event of two victories in the last two matches. Finally, the contribution of newcomer Denzel Valentine was also positive. 13 points for the former Chicago Bulls and a physical presence that could be useful if he is chosen for the post season. A runoff involving Devon Hall and Maodo Lo as well as the newcomer.
VIRTUS SEGAFREDO BOLOGNA – UNAHOTELS REGGIO EMILIA 83-73
“Important victory at the end of a cycle of hard and intense close races. Tonight we produced twenty minutes of rare quality in the first half, consolidating an important advantage which allowed us to manage the fairly physiological fatigue and the foul situation in the second half.“. Luca Banchi’s words at the end of the match precisely describe the progress of a match in which Virtus was very positive in the first two quarters, concluding with 57 points scored and a 16 lead. A victory that was anything but obvious against a Reggio Emilia team that had won the previous two seasons against Luca Banchi’s team. Tiredness certainly had an impact on the second half in which, however, UnaHotels came within five points at 65-60. The only moment of difficulty was overcome first by Shengelia with a basket and an assist and then by Belinelli. The two players were Virtus Segafredo’s best scorers on an evening in which there was a good distribution of points on the scoreboard with four players in double figures and three with eight scored. With two days to go, Segafredo is top of the list and everything is in the hands of the Bolognese. Two victories would guarantee first place in the standings and the opportunity to have home advantage in all series, an aspect that proved decisive last year.
