By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Validating bracket previews ahead of the Final 8 of the Greek Cup, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos will meet in the Semifinals of the tournament held in Irakleio.
Following the Reds, the Greens also marched through the Quarterfinals with an 87-80 victory against Kolossos H Hotels clinching the berth in the Semifinals.
Sealing the win with a midrange jumper, Paris Lee ended up with 15 points. Team captain Giorgos Papagiannis recorded a team-high 16 points along with seven rebounds and one block. Dwayne Bacon and Arturas Gudaitis chipped in 13 points each. Fueling the late comeback bid, Michael Dixon Jr. logged game-highs of 22 points and four three-pointers.
Registering the first 12 points of the contest, the team coached by Dejan Radonjic quickly established one-way traffic and looked comfortable most of the way. The Rhodes outfit eventually reduced the deficit from 23 to four points with 49 seconds left in the fourth quarter before surrendering.
Ineligible at the domestic level, Matt Thomas and Marius Grigonis sat out for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague participant. Andrew Andrews and Nikos Pappas were unavailable as well.
The action continues tomorrow with Semifinals taking over in Crete. AEK and Peristeri bwin shape the first matchup leading to the derby of eternal enemies between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
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 (14:45 CET)
Olympiacos – Panathinaikos (18:15 CET)
Final (19/2)
Winners of Semifinals (18:15 CET)