Derthona defeated in Milan
EA7 Olimpia Milano – Bertram Derthona 79-63
(22-12, 39-29, 71-48)
Olimipia: Davies 4, Luwawu-Cabarrot 6, Mitrou-Long 11, Tonut, Melli 16, Baron 11, Ricci 8, Biligha, Hall 7, Alviti 3, Hines 8, Datome 5. All. Messina
Derthona: Christon 8, Mortellaro ne, Candi 4, Tavernelli, Filloy 5, Severini 12, Harper 3, Daum 4, Cain 5, Radošević 10, Macura 12. Coach Ramondino
Bertram Derthona's first round ended in third place, losing on the EA7 Emporio Armani Milano pitch. In front of 1000 fans who came from Tortona to support them, the team trained by coach Ramondino suffered the opponent's physicality, talent and athleticism for a large part of the match. Despite Bertram's comeback attempts in the first half, Milano maintained control of the score and closed the game in the third quarter.
The Bianconeri had a good impact on the match, resisting Olimpia's initial outburst by Baron (6-6). In the next 4 minutes Bertram doesn't find the way to the basket and struggles to contain the long opponents: despite the early time-out requested by coach Ramondino, the hosts reach the double-digit margin. Radosevic's impact and the move to the defensive zone allow the Lions to close the gap, ending the opening 10 minutes trailing 22-12.
Four straight points from Ricci update the home team's maximum advantage (26-12) at the start of the second set. From this moment Derthona increases the attack, building good shots and producing an important break sealed by Macura's triple which is worth -5 (31-26) 3 minutes from the break. At the end of the first half, Milan made a new acceleration, with the plays of Melli and Datome: in the 20th minute EA7 ahead 39-29.
Upon returning from the long break, Olimpia, thanks to offensive percentages bordering on perfection, went further. Bertram tries to stay afloat with triples from Harper and Severini, but Milan's offensive verve allows the hosts to accumulate a large margin. Filloy's triple at the end gives the Bianconeri some oxygen and the score ends at 71-48.
In the last half, the two teams widen their rotations and Bertram, thanks to the opponent's decline and some good plays from Macura, reduces their gap to 79-63 at the siren.
Coach Marco Ramondino said after the game: "Congratulations to Milan and their staff for the way they played the game and the style of basketball they played. Olimpia dominated the match from start to finish, aside from a few moments when we looked like we could stay in contact. Today we faced a level of physicality, toughness, and preparation that we were unable to adapt to. While last Saturday against Virtus we had a very good impact on the game, tonight we didn't have the chance (if that were even possible) to measure up to the kind of toughness and physicality that Milan was able to display . "
