ITA - Repesa’s Benetton wins at Siena’s Palasport fortress

SIENA (Lega A) - Montepaschi Siena’s Palasport Mens Sana has been a citadel in recent times.

That didn’t stop Benetton Treviso from travelling to Tuscany and ending Montepaschi’s three-year unbeaten run with a 99-96 triumph over the Lega A leaders on Sunday.

The last coach to win in Siena?

It was former Croatia national team boss Jasmin Repesa, when he was at the helm of Lottomatica Roma.

Repesa is now the coach of Benetton.

"It has been an important win, a victory of great prestige,” Repesa said.

"To win here is already an achievement for any Euroleague team, so imagine us, that we went into the game following a dreadful game against Bologna.”

Benetton had lost 61-50 to Virtus Bologna back on April 17.

"I have to compliment my players and I hope this victory brings calm and gives us positive vibes,” Repesa said.

Benetton were once among the best teams in Italy but they have struggled in recent campaigns, much to the frustration of their passionate fans.

The win was vital for the Treviso outfit as it lifted it into the eighth and final play-off spot in Lega A.

Two players that figure to have important roles for the national teams this summer at the FIBA World Championship excelled for Benetton.

Donatas Montiejunas of Lithuania had 16 points and seven rebounds and Croatia’s Davor Kus poured in 14 points.

Bobby Dixon led Benetton with 18 points.

Montepaschi, this year’s Coppa Italia winners, clinched first place in the regular season long ago.

They are 14 points clear of second-place Pepsi Caserta, who hit the road and edged Cimberio Varese, 88-85.

Third-place NGC Medical Cantu also prevailed at Air Avellino, 85-76.

Avellino are level on points with Benetton but now in ninth place.

Seventh-place Lottomatica Roma won 66-64 at fourth-top Armani Jeans Milano and moved level on points with Sigma Coatings Montegranaro, who are sixth at 14-11 after a 77-75 defeat at bottom side Carife Ferrara.

Banca Tercas Teramo won 69-61 at home over Scavolini Pesaro and Virtus Bologna slumped to a 68-65 home defeat to second-bottom Vanoli Cremona.



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