By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Game 1 was a matter of Shavon Shields’ personal dominance to give Milan the lead on the road in the LBA Finals. Two days later, instead, Tornike Shengelia made sure that Virtus Bologna could enjoy the 72-64 victory, equalizing the series before heading to the red-and-white team’s home.
Ending Game 1 with a defeat despite an important personal performance, the Georgian superstar could finally celebrate with his fans at home after dragging the team to the win with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Sidelined in Game 1, Jordan Mickey returned to Virtus Bologna’s roster and had a good impact with 11 points and 3 rebounds.
After already showing good glimpses in Game 1, Isaia Cordiner was an excellent energy provider for his team tonight, attacking the rim several times and ending with 9 points. Achille Polonara was important as well in bringing motivation and charge to Virtus Bologna, finishing with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Alessandro Pajola had a 23-efficiency night despite scoring only 4 points, with 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.
“We had another solid game defensively, trying to slow down their talent and the fluidity of their game. The rebounding effort is relevant, we kept believing in the possibility of turning the game around. We did it despite having one of the best teams in Europe upfront. These are very tough games mentally, this is only the first episode”, Luca Banchi shared after the win.
Without an excellent impact coming from Shavon Shields – who ended with 5 points over 0/3 from three after scoring 6/7 in Game 1 -, Nikola Mirotic had to wear Milano‘s hero’s jersey, as he went back to Unipol Forum with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Devon Hall repeated his good individual effort displayed on Thursday but ended with a 13-point losing effort.
“We were controlling pretty well. We didn’t play our game, it was pretty tight around the end of the third quarter. Probably we suffered last game’s overtime. We had a really important win here in Bologna, now we will prepare for Game 3. We need to move the ball faster, we need to make things better”, Ettore Messina commented in the post-game press conference.
Virtus Bologna fans putting on a show ⚪️⚫️
“Fight for the jersey, win the battle, for the ones who love it and travel. Back to being champion”. pic.twitter.com/nLl3PQGuwI
— Cesare Milanti (@cesaremilanti) June 8, 2024
The chronicle of Virtus Bologna’s victory
Marco Belinelli started the game with two straight missed three-pointers. Alessandro Pajola blocked Nicolò Melli‘s layup attempt at 8:25 on the clock. Tornike Shengelia approached the game well, scoring his team’s first five points. Despite desperately needing to attack the game well the home side trailed the red-and-white side 17-12 after shooting 4/17 from the field in the first ten minutes.
The second quarter opened with only Devon Hall scoring from the field in the first three minutes, giving Ettore Messina’s team the ten-point lead (22-12). With the clock winding down midway through the second, Virtus Bologna still had to score from the field, with Jordan Mickey converting only one free throw. With a 12-0 scoring run, the home side proudly answered back. At halftime, Virtus eventually led 32-31 following a 2+1 play by Achille Polonara in traffic.
Shooting from downtown in a similar manner to what he did forcing overtime in Game 1, Shabazz Napier tied at 34-34 in the opening of the third. The black-and-white team seemed way more focused to start the second half, but after 4:53 minutes Nikola Mirotic turned it around for the 43-42 lead. The Spanish and the Georgian forwards exchanged big plays, and to finish the third Virtus led 55-51.
With back-to-back steals, Milan entered the fourth quarter on a 6-0 scoring run, getting once again the lead and forcing Luca Banchi’s timeout. Shabazz Napier was awarded his 4th foul with 8:07 to go, and Virtus Bologna took advantage of it by replying with an 11-0 run, regaining the momentum. Devon Hall broke it at 4:26 left, but there wasn’t occasion to come back into the game. Iffe Lundberg called game with his usual pull-up shot at 1:32 left, tying the series at 1-1.
LBA Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Bertram Derthona Tortona 3-2 (92-80, 83-77, 81-91, 75-82, 92-63)
Umana Reyer Venice – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 3-2 (74-82, 83-75, 66-78, 95-92, 83-67)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Dolomiti Energia Trento 3-1 (84-85, 104-93, 83-68, 87-69)
Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia 3-0 (79-70, 97-75, 98-77)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Umana Reyer Venice 3-1 (103-89, 79-78, 73-78, 96-81)
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Germani Brescia 3-0 (95-89, 77-66, 96-89)
Finals (best-of-five)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 1-1 (75-86, 72-64)
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna