By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After mishandling a 22-point lead, Virtus Segafredo Bologna emerged with a 79-78 victory against Umana Reyer Venice in Segafredo Arena. Up to 2-0 in the Semifinals of Italy’s LBA UnipolSai Playoffs.
French Isaia Cordinier making a couple of free throws with four seconds left in Game 2 decided the winner of Sunday’s contest. He ended up with 10 points.
Tucking in four of his side’s 9/18 from beyond the arc, Marco Belinelli added 14 points. Achille Polonara finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Gabriel Iffe Lundberg, Devontae Cacok, and Rihards Lomazs remained out for the team guided by Luca Banchi.
Building a 22-point advantage early in the second half, Vu Nere scrambled in crunch time to protect the homecourt advantage.
Falling to 0-2 in a best-of-five series for a spot in the Finals, Venice featured Jordan Parks and Aamir Simms sharing a game-high 14 points. Captain Andrea De Nicolao paired 11 points with a game-high six assists.
Continuing the series in Venice, Game 3 follows on Wednesday.
LBA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
A – Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Bertram Derthona Tortona 3-2 (92-80, 83-77, 81-91, 75-82, 92-63)
B – Umana Reyer Venice – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 3-2 (74-82, 83-75, 66-78, 95-92, 83-67)
C – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trento 3-1 (84-85, 104-93, 83-68, 87-69)
D – Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia 3-0 (79-70, 97-75, 98-77)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venice 2-0 (103-89, 79-78)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Germani Brescia 1-0 (95-89)
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals