By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Brescia, Italy – Virtus Bologna suffered against a tough opponent like Dinamo Sassari, but survived thanks to a clutch jumper by Jordan Mickey and won the Italian SuperCup, the third in club history, by beating Piero Bucchi’s team 69-72. And after winning EuroBasket 2022 with Spain, Sergio Scariolo remains on a hot streak.
Ismael Bako kept Virtus alive in the first half and ended the game with 10 points and 7 rebounds. The top offensive contribution for the winners came from Jordan Mickey (13 p., 6 r.). Despite an off-shooting night (0/4 2pts, 3/10 3pts), Marco Belinelli was crucial in the last minutes of the game and closed with 12 points. Semi Ojeleye was voted Best Player of the Italian Supercup after being crucial in the semifinal.
“We started the season with a challenging tournament, with great players and coaches. Aware that we are only at the beginning, helped by the confidence of this victory. If you keep your opponents at 20 points in the second half like today, you have a chance to compete even if the attack is less fast than we would like. At character level we were there”, coach Sergio Scariolo said about the victory.
The 2021-2022 Winner League MVP Chinanu Onuaku was a key element in Dinamo Sassari’s offense and had a dominant display: 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists shooting 6/7 from two and 6/6 at the free throw line. Eimantas Bendzius (15 p., 7 r.) attracted a lot of attention from the defense as well.
“Very close game, the defenses had the upper hand. We missed many open and well-built shots. The team has created many good situations. Honor and congratulations in Bologna, there are many good indications from which to start”, coach Piero Bucchi said.
Despite a quiet response from the audience, with only 1986 fans out of 5200 in the PalaLeonessa stands per the official statement, the two finalists showed great intensity from the beginning and put on a show.
In yesterday’s semifinals, Dinamo Sassari beat Derthona 83-84, while Virtus Bologna defeated Olimpia Milano 64-72. This is Virtus Bologna’s third straight year winning at least a title.