The feat for Pallacanestro Trieste fails: in a packed Allianz Dome, with more than 6,000 spectators, Milan wins in the end.
Ettore Messina’s team, although tired from the double commitment in the Euroleague during the week, manages to put the hosts in difficulty in the last period forcing the attack to force thanks to a physical defense, going 65-59.
Yet for three quarters Trieste, in gray for a marketing initiative in honor of the Bora, manages to stay in the game and indeed lead: much of the credit goes to newcomer Emmanuel Terry.
The big American comes on after a few minutes with the team that doesn’t score and immediately makes his energy available: he will close with 16 points, 14 in the first half, almost all of them from spectacular dunks that send the crowd into raptures.
So-so, however, the coexistence with the other Americans: Spencer gets along well, while Bartley, the top scorer of the tournament, runs into a bad day, who does not find the usual spaces with the area blocked by two big men.
For him only 9 points but above all 3 baskets out of 19 attempts.
Trieste’s fault, if we can speak of fault, is that of never being able to really run away despite going ahead by 8 points twice with excellent defenses: Olimpia finds baskets in turn from all its champions, and crushes with an asphyxiating pressing Ruzzier who never enters the rhythm and indeed gets nervous by collecting fouls.
Since the last break, which closed in a draw at 51, Legovich’s team practically hasn’t scored anymore and the usual application in their own half is not enough.
For the Giuliani, 18 points from a good Davis, an impalpable contribution from the Italian group.
Best scorer of the Armani Exchange the latest signing Napier, with 13 points.
