By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After exchanging blows with its rival through the first half, Olympiacos dominated the third quarter to roll Panathinaikos, 81-65, in Irakleio Saturday.
Sasha Vezenkov scored 14 points in the first quarter and added five more in the third quarter fueling the eruption leading to a berth in the final of the Greek Cup.
With the Sacramento Kings in town, he ended up with a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with four assists and two steals tallying a game-high efficiency rating of 33.
Launching a 17-0 run to start the second half, the Reds charged forward and never looked back. After pouring 12 of his 14 points in the deciding stretch, Isaiah Canaan bowed out with an injury. Alec Peters was a gameday scratch.
Team captain Kostas Papanikolaou tucked in all of his five three-point efforts en route to a 15-point showing. Towering center Moustapha Fall stuffed the stat sheet with four points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Paris Lee with 17 points stood out in the disappointing effort for the team coached by Dejan Radonjic. Giorgos Papagiannis and Derrick Williams had 13 points each. Nikos Pappas, Andrew Andrews, Matt Thomas, and Marius Grigonis all remained unavailable.
Club legend Vassilis Spanoulis and Peristeri bwin come up next for the team coached by Giorgos Bartzokas. The last game of the first-ever Final 8 to determine the cup winner in Greece will be held Sunday.
Vassilis Spanoulis guides Peristeri to the final
Sylvain Francisco dropped a career-high 33 points behind 8/12 field goals and 13/13 free throws as Peristeri outlasted AEK, 77-65, in the first semifinal. The French guard also put in six assists and four rebounds. In a proud achievement, rookie head coach Spanoulis connected himself to the club’s first-ever berth in the Cup final.
For AEK, Isaiah Miles recovered from a left knee injury in the Quarterfinals and scored a team-high 21 points in the losing effort. In contrast, Akil Mitchell was not cleared. More Cup injuries with Janis Strelnieks and Kenny Williams both forced to early exits in the semifinal.
Greek Cup Final 8
Quarterfinals (16-17/2)
Panionios – AEK 88-93 OT (84-84)
Peristeri bwin – PAOK mateco 77-64
Olympiacos – Aris 82-51
Panathinaikos – Kolossos H Hotels 87-80
Semifinals (18/2)
AEK – Peristeri bwin 65-77
Olympiacos – Panathinaikos 81-65
Final (19/2)
Peristeri bwin – Olympiacos (18:15 CET)