ITA - Treviso leave it late again to lift Coppa Italia

BOLOGNA (Coppa Italia) - Late-game specialists Benetton Treviso edged Virtus Bologna 67-65 to capture a record-equalling eighth Coppa Italia on Sunday.

David Blatt's team, who came from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Montepaschi Siena at the buzzer in Saturday’s semi-final, did not take the lead until 45 seconds from time, when Marcus Goree split a pair of free throws.

They then held on to take their second piece of silverware this season, having already won the Super Cup.

"Our defense was great tonight and I think the times when we did take advantage of our mis-matches, it paid off for us," Blatt said.

"Yesterday (the semi-final) was a special day. I will probably remember that more when it's all said and done. It was a unique day. But it was not an easier game here.

"Our mental energy in the last five minutes of the game was so high that we were able to steal the game."

Zare Markovski's Virtus, who have led Lega A for much of the season and reached the final with an overtime victory over Armani Jeans Milano, were in good shape with three minutes remaining when a three-pointer from Giovannoni Guilherme - a former Benetton player - put them up 61-58.

They were unable to protect the lead, however.

Goree made two free throws to cut the deficit to one, and after Dusan Vukcevic missed a three-pointer, Travis Best fouled Benetton's Spencer Nelson, who split two free throws to tie the game at 61-61 with 1:16 remaining.

After Vukcevic missed another three-pointer with one minute left, Vlado Ilievski fouled Goree and the Treviso veteran made the free throw that put his team into the lead for good.

Missed free throws then killed Virtus.

Marco Mordente, the hero of Benetton's semi-final win after hitting four late three-pointers, fouled out with 28 seconds left and put Andrea Michelori on the line.

The Italian international could have put his side back in front but he missed both attempts.

Virtus got the offensive rebound, however, and Michelori was fouled again, this time by Soragna with 26 seconds still on the clock.

Again, Michelori failed to convert and this time, Benetton rebounded and Best fouled Nikos Zisis 20 seconds from the end.

The Greek national team star sank both opportunities for a 64-61 advantage.

Instead of Virtus launching a potential game-tying three-pointer, Best had to shoot free throws after being fouled by Terrell Lyday with 17 seconds to go.

The former NBA guard was on target with both, reducing the deficit to 64-63.

Ilievski then put Lyday back on the line with 15 seconds to go and Lyday converted each to take the lead back to 66-63.

Virtus quickly brought the ball up the court and with seven seconds to go, Best attempted a three-pointer but missed and Nelson took the rebound.

Vukcevic fouled Nelson and he made one of two for a 67-63 lead to seal the game, with Ilievski's lay-up at the end finishing the scoring.

Nelson, who scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, was voted the Most Valuable Player.

"Nelson is an underrated player," Blatt said.

"He might play good, bad, 15, 30 minutes, but he positively gives everything he has on the court. At the end of the day, that kind of approach got him to Benetton and he's got two titles this year."

Blatt had incredibly big shoes to fill following his predecessor Ettore Messina's departure to CSKA Moscow, with the Italian having won numerous titles and cups in the country.

Before Messina, there was Mike D'Antoni, the current coach of the Phoenix Suns.

"I had a responsibility coming in, to meet the level of very great coaches because of the organisation and the players and when people ask me, `Where do you stand with those guys?', at least I can point to what we've done.”

Virtus coach Markovski added: "We were not in the best condition.

"Kris Lang had a fever before the game and Andrea Michelori has not been able to train for a couple of days.

"We did push Benetton to make some mistakes, but it wasn't enough. Now what we have to do is think about winning our next game."

FIBA
Cindy Garcia-Bennett, Bologna