Olimpia’s defense was outstanding in the fourth quarter, holding Maccabi to 10 points, including three in the first five minutes, when the comeback was completed and Milan took the game over, winning it 78-69. It was the fourth consecutive pre-season tournament won by Olimpia and the preseason finished on a high note and a perfect 10-0 record. The Giannakopoulos Trophy was definitely very prestigious, considering the teams participating. It was a strange game: Coach Messina spent his first time-out after a couple of minutes and a 5-0 Maccabi’s lead. Then, Olimpia managed to take the game over gradually building a lead that reached 11 points, but evaporated late in the second quarter. In the second half, Maccabi with a solid third period had a nine-point lead itself, before Olimpia responded one more time. Vlado Micov was at his best late in the game, Sergio Rodriguez had a dominating first half, Jeff Brooks gave to the team a lot of energy, but it was a team effort really. For the second straight night, Amedeo Della Valle did a lot, scoring 10 points in less than 14 minutes while also grabbing six rebounds. And Andrea Cinciarini epitomized the effort: he played 12 scoreless minutes, but his presence was felt everywhere on the court, defensively his impact was great and his plus/minus was +13.

THE BOXSCORE –A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano-Maccabi Tel Aviv 78-69 (22-15; 38-39; 57-59)

Olimpia: Della Valle 10 (3/4, 6 reb), Mack 10 (3/9, 4 reb), Micov 18 (6/11, 5/5 ft, 3 ast), Biligha 2 (1/2), Moraschini 3 (1/1), Roll 2 (0/4), Rodriguez 15 (3/5 2pt, 3/6 3pt, 3 ast), Tarczewski 3 (1/1), Cinciarini (0/1), Rey, Burns, White 4 (1/3, 4 reb), Brooks 11 (3/6, 5 reb). All. Messina.

Maccabi: Bryant 7, Wilbekin 17, Hunter 7, S. Cohen, Avdija 3, Dorsey 7, Di Bartolomeo 2, Wolters 11, J. Cohen 5, Black 7, Zoosman 3. All. Sfairopoulos.