ITA - Virtus back on track with another win in Bologna derby
ROME (Lega A) - Virtus used the momentum of a two-game sweep over Turk Telekom in the EuroCup quarter-finals to spark them to victory in the 99th Bologna derby on Sunday. Zare Markovski’s men, licking their wounds in Lega A after suffering three consecutive defeats, prevailed 92-81 over Fortitudo at the Pala Dozza. Virtus, who also beat Climamio earlier in the season, remained in second place with 15 victories from 22 games.
ROME (Lega A) - Virtus used the momentum of a two-game sweep over Turk Telekom in the EuroCup quarter-finals to spark them to victory in the 99th Bologna derby on Sunday.
Zare Markovski’s men, licking their wounds in Lega A after suffering three consecutive defeats, prevailed 92-81 over Fortitudo at the Pala Dozza.
Virtus, who also beat Climamio earlier in the season, remained in second place with 15 victories from 22 games.
"VidiVici have been able to play their basketball from the first to the last minute,” said losing coach Ergin Ataman.
"In the first half, I didn’t recognise my team. We created nothing whether we were in attack or on defense.
"They have done a really good job, they have played with lucidity and deserved the win."
Virtus got 24 points from Christian Drejer and 22 from Brett Blizzard, while Tyus Edney scored 23 in a losing effort.
"We have deserved the win,” said Markovski.
“We have controlled three of four quarters and we have neutralised their advantage in rebounds.”
Virtus jumped out to a 24-13 lead by the end of the first quarter and were then in total command at half-time with a 48-29 advantage.
Montepaschi Siena are still four wins clear at the top of the standings after a 74-61 home win over Whirlpool Varese.
Armani Jeans Milano are also 15-7 after a 91-84 victory over Snaidero Cucine Udine on Saturday.
Massimo Bulleri showed the kind of form that earned him a starting place in Italy’s silver-medal winning team at the Athens Olympics by scoring a season-high 20 points.
Bulleri and Co trailed 43-35 at half-time but hit back for a 66-65 lead by the end of the third and then pulled away for victory in the fourth.
Ronald Slay had 16 points as Premiata Montegranaro stunned defending champions Benetton Treviso 71-70 to climbed into eighth place.
Siviglia Wear Teramo edged Angelico Biella 78-74, and TDShop.it Livorno won 96-92 over Upea Capo d'Orlando
Air Avellino sprung a big surprise on Saturday by beating Eldo Napoli, 88-75.
From Cindy Garcia-Bennett, Rome
FIBA