By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After going down 12 points in the third quarter, Olympiacos dominated the last ten minutes to beat archrival Panathinaikos OPAP, 81-73, in the Greek Cup final at Iraklio Sunday.
The Greens were held without a field goal through the fourth quarter and without a single point over the first seven minutes. The attached 15-0 run turned the tables in favor of the team from Piraeus.
Final Four MVP Tyler Dorsey poured a team-high 21 points powered by 7/13 field goals. Sasha Vezenkov posted an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double. Kostas Sloukas had ten points despite staying on the bench through the fourth quarter. Shaquielle McKissic added nine points and Thomas Walkup went for eight points, four assists, and three rebounds.
The team coached by Dimitris Priftis missing captain Ioannis Papapetrou (nose) went up 59-47 during the third period. Leading 67-58 before the fourth-quarter collapse was not enough for the 21st Cup in team history. Instead, Olympiacos became the second club in double-digits with its tenth title, the first since 2011.
Serbian guard Nemanja Nedovic recorded a game-high 23 points for Panathinaikos. Okaro White had 15 points.
On Friday, Olympiacos beat AEK and Panathinaikos took down Promitheas to advance to the championship game of the Final Four.
Next up for the team coached by Giorgos Bartzokas is a key home fixture against AX Armani Exchange Milan Thursday. One day later, the losing side of the Greek Cup final will welcome Crvena Zvezda mts at OAKA Altion with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season reaching Round 27.