By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Setting up a 27th appearance in the Final of the Greek Cup, Panathinaikos Aktor took down Aris Midea in the Semifinals of Final 8 OPAP in Iraklio on Saturday.
Overcoming Mathias Lessort being forced to an early exit due to a second technical foul midway through the second period, the Greens prevailed, 76-65.
Kendrick Nunn produced a team-high 20 points with 8/13 field goals. The American guard added six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. Luca Vildoza was scratched due to knee discomfort and Lessort further limited options for head coach Ergin Ataman with 5:40 remaining in the second quarter.
For the team based in Thessaloniki trailing by double-digits most of the way, Vassilis Toliopoulos building on recent form recorded a game-high 21 points.
In the second semifinal matchup, Olympiacos, the reigning league champion and previous Cup winner in Greece, pulled away in the second half to overpower Promitheas, 91-77.
Paving the way for an eighth straight win across all competitions and a 21st showing in the Final of the Greek Cup, Filip Petrusev stood out with 15 points behind 5/7 field goals. Moustapha Fall chipped in 11 points. Hurting his left hamstring in the Quarterfinals, Nigel Williams-Goss joined Nikola Milutinov, Luke Sikma, and Shaquielle McKissic on the sidelines.
For the losing side, Anthony Cowan Jr. logged a game-high 20 points. Cameron Reynolds had 19 points.
The championship game pitting the eternal rival of Greece against each other is set to be played on Sunday.