By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
TURIN, Italy – Participating at the Italian Cup Final Eight for the sixth and ninth time in the clubs’ history, Trento and Reggio Emilia never crossed paths in the competition before 2025, but their first matchups at this unique competition delivered.
Paolo Galbiati desired to come back victorious in the competition where he celebrated an Italian Cup success with Torino back in 2018. The dream stays on, following this 85-80 win.
Myles Cale dragged the black-and-white side with a team-high 22-point performance, while Quinn Ellis majestically directed the team’s control room with a double-double of 12 points and 13 assists. Saliou Niang (17 points and 6 rebounds) and Anthony Lamb (13 points) gave more options to Trento.
Kwan Cheatham (16 points) gave a first seven-point lead (15-8) with a corner three at 3:35 left in the first. Reggio Emilia’s offensive flow didn’t stop entering the second quarter.
However, Paolo Galbiati’s team replied with an 11-1 scoring run and Trento trailed by two (44-42) at halftime. In the second half, Reggio Emilia first escaped once again, but Trento replied and got an unexpected lead at 74-68 with four minutes to play.
Kenneth Faried (11 points, 9 rebounds) was dominating but he got ejected midway through the fourth with a disqualifying foul on Quinn Ellis. Cassius Winston was his team’s scoring leader with 25 points.
Trieste qualified for the Semi-Finals
Trapani and Trieste gained promotion last year to make their way into the Italian League with high hopes and ambition. Their qualification for this year’s Italian Cup Final Eight wasn’t such a surprise.
In the matchup between Cinderellas valid for the Quarter-Finals, with a spot in the Semi-Finals against Trento on the line, Trieste won 74-72 after 40 minutes of an intense and balanced matchup.
A two-pointer in transition by Jeff Brooks was crucial in sealing the deal, winning at the buzzer.
It was a collective winning effort for Jamion Christian’s team, which saw 11 points a piece from Denzel Valentine, Jayce Johnson, Francesco Candussi, and Michele Ruzzier.
For the losers, Amar Alibegovic put up a solid 18-point night. Despite suffering an early injury, Justin Robinson added 17. Off the bench, Chris Horton had a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
On Saturday, they will face Trento in the second Semi-Finals of the day. Previously, Germani Brescia and EA7 Emporio Armani Milano will face off after having respectively beaten Derthona and Virtus Bologna.
LBA Final Eight 2025
Quarter-Finals
- Germani Brescia – Bertram Derthona Tortona 86-79
- Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 77-91
- Dolomiti Energia Trentino – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 85-80
- Trapani Shark – Pallacanestro Trieste 72-74
Semi-Finals
- Germani Brescia – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (15/02 at 18:00 CET)
- Dolomiti Energia Trentino – Pallacanestro Trieste (15/02 at 20:45 CET)
Final
Winner SF1 – Winner SF2 (12/02 at 17:15 CET)
PHOTO CREDIT: BKT EuroCup