By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A seventh consecutive win across all competitions for Zalgiris and head coach Andrea Trinchieri.
Confidently moving past a slow start and defeating Siauliai, 87-77, earned a spot in the Citadele KMT Final for the ninth time in as many editions since the introduction of the domestic Cup.
Tucking 6/11 shots, Lukas Lekavicius finished with 17 points in the semifinal matchup. Additional contributions off the bench featured Tomas Dimsa with 13 points and Laurynas Birutis dropping 12 points. Keenan Evans piled up ten points, four assists, three rebounds, and two assists. Recently returning to Zalgiris, Karolis Lukosiunas has yet to play and remained on the sidelines along with youngsters Nedas Montvila and Dovydas Butka.
Building an upset bid, the visitors peaked at a 13-point lead during the second quarter. Ending up with 17 points, Dovydas Romancenko matched his best scoring showing in the 2023-24 campaign and shared a game-high with Lekavicius. L.J. Thorpe had 14 points. Tomas Pavelka and Nojus Mineikis registered 11 points apiece.
Hosting the final stage of the tournament for the second time in team history, the next and final challenger is 7bet-Lietkabelis. In the opening game of the Final Four, the team coached by Nenad Canak prevailed, 94-86, over Rytas. Experienced Djordje Gagic posted a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double combining a couple of season-highs with the Panevezys outfit reaching the Cup Final for the fourth time in team history.
The Final and the third-place game follow in Zalgirio Arena on Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net