ITA – Milano dig deep and beat Caserta to return to finals

CASERTA (Lega A) - Pepsi Caserta had home-court advantage but Armani Jeans Milano won a deciding fifth game in their Lega A play-off semi-finals on Thursday night.

Mason Rocca had 14 points and 11 rebounds as Armani Jeans won 65-59 to set up a title showdown with three-time defending champions Montepaschi Siena.

Siena swept Milano 4-0 in last year's finals.

Piero Bucchi, the coach of Armani Jeans, said: 'It was a painful game but it's even better winning this way.

"I'm glad my players were brave, heroic and beautiful.

"We've shown great heart but were able to stay cool and always focused on the game most of the time."

Also for Milano, Morris Finley weighed in with 13 points and Mike Hall 12.

Caserta, who finished a surprising second in the regular season, killed their chances with a woeful display at the free-throw line.

Stefano Sacripanti's men made just 14 of 27 (51.9%) at the stripe compared to 15 of 17 (88.2%) for Milano.

Caserta trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter and reduced the deficit to 57-55 late in the frame on a three-pointer from Ebi Ere.

Finley answered with two free-throws and then hit a three-ball before teammate Chris Monroe buried a shot from the arc for a 65-55 advantage.

That flurry of points put the Milano in front to stay.

FIBA