Olimpia Milano in the playoff semifinals, Trento surrenders under Shields' blows

"The many awards won by Trento as well as the conquest of the Italian Cup give the exact sense of how strong it was. Having eliminated it by overturning the home court advantage I think was an important thing. Between the middle of the first quarter and the second period I would say that we played very well, on defense, on rebounds, we moved the ball, shot excellently (first half ended at +13 on 48-35, ed.). Then we came back on the field badly in the third quarter (ended with Trento ahead 62-63, ed.) especially on defense and when we found ourselves behind it became a game to win with heart because in many moments it seemed that we just couldn't make it ours. With so many men out due to fouls, some plays of pride, energy, a couple of rebounds snatched with will were decisive and then obviously Shavon Shields and also Leandro Bolmaro guided us", the words of Ettore Messina after the victory of Olimpia Milano at the Forum against Trento: 89-82 for the champions of Italy who closed the series 3-1 and earned the pass to the semifinals where they will face the winner between Virtus Bologna and Reyer Venezia (currently 2-1).

Shavon Shields leads the team to victory with a superlative performance (27 points with 4/7 2-pointers and 5/7 3-pointers) and very important plays in the final part of the match (when Olimpia Milano, at 79-75, finds itself out in a matter of seconds due to 5 fouls both LeDay and Mirotic). Leandro Bolmaro shines (17 points in 22 minutes) also decisive in the final part of the match, with him an excellent Armoni Brooks (14 points with 4/5 2-pointers and 7 rebounds).

On the latter, Messina emphasized in the press room: "He's growing a lot, he's been our best rebounder twice and the proof of his progress is in the minutes he's on the court. If a couple of months ago someone had told me that he would be in the starting five in the playoffs not for the baskets but for the defense and everything else I would never have believed it, but it happened. Well done to him. The first year in Europe is never easy".

Now we focus on the semi-final, where the Olimpia Milano coach rules out Nebo's recovery: "There's no chance"

EA7 MILAN-DOLOMITES TRENTO 89-82 (20-22, 48-35; 62-63)

OLIMPIA MILANO: Mannion, Causeur, Tonut ne, Bolmaro 22, Brooks 14, LeDay 10, Ricci 4, Flaccadori 3, Diop, Caruso ne, Shields 27, Mirotic 14. Al. Messina TRENTO: Ellis 5, Cale 13, Ford 19, Pecchia ne, Niang 6, Forray 8, Mawugbe 10, Lamb 16, Bayehe 5, Hassan. Al. Galbiati