EUROLEAGUE - Calathes comes of age as Panathinaikos beat Mens Sana to reach title game

BARCELONA (Euroleague) - Nick Calathes arrived at Panathinaikos before the 2009-10 campaign and was granted cult-like status by the club’s fans, so big was his name and fame in the United States college game.

The former Florida Gator, who left after his sophomore season to launch a professional career in the land of his grandparents, is now delivering one big performance after another for Pana.

The 22-year-old point guard, crucial in the Greens' quarter-final series triumph over Regal Barcelona, had 17 points to lead Pana to a 77-69 triumph on Friday at the Palau Sant Jordi.

Zeljko Obradovic's team advanced to the title game and will meet the winner of Friday’s second game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Real Madrid.

Montepaschi, who are going after a fifth consecutive title in Italy's Lega A, were hoping to become the first Italian side to capture the Euroleague crown in 10 years.

Virtus Bologna, when they were coached by Ettore Messina, were the last club from the country to lift the trophy and that was in 2001.

Simone Pianigiani's team had its way early on and led 30-24 after a three-point play by Bo McCalebb with four minutes to go in the first half.

The Greens didn't allow them to pull away, though, with Ian Vougioukas hitting right back with a three-point play.

A Calathes lay-up reduced the arrears to one and then Antonis Fotsis hit a shot from the arc for a 32-30 Panathinaikos advantage.

McCalebb answered with a drive to knot the contest again, but Greece international Stratos Perperoglou buried a three to put Pana in front to stay.

They ended up taking a 40-36 lead to half-time, with Calathes and Fotsis leading the way with eight points apiece.

The duo each had five points in the third quarter and Panathinaikos kept their noses in front to remain on track for a third Euroleague title in the last five years.

Calathes did more than score.

He also had two assists, six rebounds and two steals to finish with the game's highest ranking of 24.

Montepaschi lost despite out-rebounding Panathinaikos 43-33, including 18-5 on the offensive boards.

Dimitris Diamantidis had eight points, nine assists and two steals for the Greens.

While Panathinaikos were 17 of 32 inside the arc, Montepaschi were a woeful 17 of 47.

Rimantas Kaukenas led Montepaschi with 13 points while teammate Shaun Stonerook had a game-high 14 rebounds to go with his four points.

FIBA