By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Exchange Milan and Virtus Segafredo Bologna progressed to a 2-0 lead in their respective series in the Quarterfinals of the LBA Serie A Playoffs Tuesday.
For Ettore Messina’s side, Luigi Datome stood out with 16 points in the win, 91-65, versus UnaHotels Reggio Emilia. Sergio Rodriguez had 14 points and five assists in the one-sided affair. Nicolo Melli (right calf) was among the players unavailable to play in Game 2. For the losing side, Andrea Cinciarini scored a game-high 19 points against his former team.
Also adding to the lead in the best-of-five series, the defending champions of the Italian league drew up a double-digit advantage early in the second half and went on to blow out Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro, 70-51. Amar Alibegovic dropped ten points in the balanced scoring display. Milos Teodosic did not play and injured Tornike Shengelia was included in the players ruled out for the 7DAYS EuroCup champions.
Earlier, Bertram Tortona withstood a 30-point effort by Stefano Tonut and rolled Umana Reyer Venezia, 70-58, to tie the series at 1-1. Jamarr Sanders delivered a team-high 20 points for the team coached by Marco Ramondino.
Game 2 between Germani Brescia and Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari follows on Wednesday. Brescia leads the series 1-0.
Game 3 contests of the first round are scheduled to be held on Thursday and Friday. Moving on, the Semifinals will be contested in a best-of-five series as well, but the next champion will be crowned in a best-of-seven series.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net