ITA – Sensational Siena one victory away from fourth straight Italian title

MILAN (Lega A) – Montepaschi Siena took a 3-0 stranglehold on the Lega A play-off finals after rolling to victory at Armani Jeans Milano on Thursday night.

Simone Pianigiani’s three-time defending champions exploded out of the gate, taking a 32-11 lead at the end of the first quarter before claiming an 88-75 victory.

Central Africa star Romain Sato led the Siena scoring parade with 23 points.

Pianigiani said: "I am very satisfied. It has been a great test of will and concentration from my players.

While Siena looked unbeatable, Pianigiani insisted his team had not played a perfect game.

“A perfect game doesn't exist,” he said.

“With three games in five days you cannot do well over (an entire) 40 minutes.

"We played in a great atmosphere. Now we must avoid allowing Milano to get back in the series.

“We need another extra effort and then we can think of what we have accomplished over the years."

Armani Jeans will try to stay alive in the best-of-seven series when they host Game 4 on Saturday.

FIBA