By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna started the season in turmoil but after six rounds of action, the Italians have a 5-1 record turning heads all over the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Anadolu Efes was their latest victim, with the final score being 93-81 in favor of Virtus.
EuroLeague October MVP Toko Shengelia got his award before the tip-off and scored 19 points.
“We did an amazing job, offensively and defensively. We kept playing through our mistakes, maintained a positive and consistent attitude, and had support from the coach and each other. Our main goal was to protect the home court today, and that’s exactly what we did,” Shengelia said.
Marco Belinelli also had 17 points in 18 minutes of action on 3/3 threes and the Italians with the exceptions of the second period, dominated the game and the rebounding battle, dictating the pace of the game.
“Great team win. I tried really hard not to think about Efes being my old team and make this a personal thing. Coach did a great job saying to focus on the small things. They scored a lot of points, and we can do a lot better defensively, but it was a good team win for us,” Dunston said.
The first half was a game of runs with Efes starting with a 6-0, then Virtus replying with a 10-0 and the first quarter ending with the hosts leading by two (20-18). However, the guests took charge in the second period, getting a 33-24 lead with Rodrigue Beaubois scoring 15 points in the first half which ended with Virtus trailing by four (45-41).
With former Efes captain Bryant Dunston scoring 14 points for the Italians, the score was tied at 50 after three minutes in the second half and Virtus got the lead again (52-50) after a shot by Jaleen Smith. The hosts entered the last quarter leading by seven (69-62) and got an 11-point advantage (78-67) with five minutes left, which proved enough for the win.
Ante Zizic scored 15 points for Efes, Shane Larkin had 16, while Beaubois finished the game with 17, as the former back-to-back champions couldn’t respond in the last period and dropped to a 2-4 record.
Banchi: “I’m very proud the way everybody stepped up”
Head coach of Virtus Bologna was obviously satisfied after his team grabbed a win in the opening game of the season at Virtus Segafredo Arena, after playing first couple of matches at Palladozza.
“Attitude in second half, we took our emotions and tension from the first 20 minutes. We brought energy from everybody. I’m very proud the way everybody stepped up. We rotated 11 players, and all gave a great contribution to energize the team. If you want to beat Efes, you need to play 40 minutes, and that’s what we did today,” Virtus’ head coach Luca Banchi said after the game.
What could Efes do better?
“Simple stuff, basics. Not to give too many offensive rebounds and turnovers, which were the breaking point of the game,” Efes’ coach Erdem Can said.
In Round 7, Virtus is going on the road to play at Wizink Center against Real Madrid (09/11), while Anadolu Efes will try to bounce back against Zalgiris at Sinan Erdem Dome (09/11).