By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Everybody was expecting a tight series when Milan and Virtus Bologna found out they would have faced each other in the Semi-Finals, and not in the LBA Finals like usual. While Game 1 was a battle won by the hosts, in Game 2 the red-and-white dominance appeared.
Ettore Messina’s team got the 85-66 victory to tie at 1-1, going back to Unipol Forum with home-court advantage, hoping to close the series in Game 4. Armoni Brooks (20 points over 4/9 from three) was the clear protagonist for his team, followed by 14 points apiece from Shavon Shields and Nikola Mirotic.
On the losing side, Momo Diouf (14 points and 4 rebounds) tried to battle close to the rim, but he wasn’t enough. Will Clyburn (11 points) looked like an unresolved rebus in the first half, but was limited.
Milan looked extremely focused in the first two quarters of Game 2, extending the lead to 16 points (40-26) already with five minutes to play in the second; however, Virtus Bologna reduced it to a nine-point margin (44-35) at halftime, getting back on track, especially on the mental and psychological fronts.
The second half looked like a copy of the start of Game 2, with Milan regaining a 16-point lead (56-40) mainly thanks to Armoni Brooks’ long-deep threes. Pulling up in transition with four minutes to go in the third, Daniel Hackett gave Virtus Bologna new hope down by seven (58-51).
Despite that, Milan stayed resilient and kept their composure. With seven minutes to play in the game, Shavon Shields banked in from deep to get up front by 11 points (69-58) again. Ettore Messina’s team regained a 14-point lead with three to go, and didn’t waste it.
In the other Semi-Final series of this year’s LBA Playoffs, Germani Brescia is leading 2-o over Trapani Shark, having conquered both encounters in Sicily; they need one more victory to get to the LBA Finals. Game 2 was mainly decided by Amedeo Della Valle’s performance of 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
LBA Playoffs 2024-25
Quarter-Finals
G1, Dolomiti Energia Trentino – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 70-73
G2, Dolomiti Energia Trentino – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 70-67
G3, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trentino 107-79
G4, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trentino 89-82
G1, Trapani Shark – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 80-75
G2, Trapani Shark – UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 102-88
G3, UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia – Trapani Shark 83-90
G1, Germani Brescia – Pallacanestro Trieste 89-77
G2, Germani Brescia – Pallacanestro Trieste 92-103
G3, Pallacanestro Trieste – Germani Brescia 70-80
G4, Pallacanestro Trieste – Germani Brescia 88-92 OT
G1, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venezia 90-85
G2, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venezia 77-75
G3, Umana Reyer Venezia – Virtus Segafredo Bologna 89-82
G4, Umana Reyer Venezia – Virtus Segafredo Bologna 84-78
G5, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venezia 86-84
Semi-Finals
G1, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 68-67
G2, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 85-66
G3, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Virtus Segafredo Bologna (05/06 at 20:45 CET)
G4*, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Virtus Segafredo Bologna (TBD)
G5*, Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (TBD)
G1, Trapani Shark – Germani Brescia 92-93
G2, Trapani Shark – Germani Brescia 77-85
G3, Germani Brescia – Trapani Shark (04/06 at 20:45 CET)
G4*, Germani Brescia – Trapani Shark (TBD)
G5*, Trapani Shark – Germani Brescia (TBD)
*if needed
PHOTO CREDIT: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan