Malcolm Delaney hit the ground running, scored 12 points in the first quarter alone, he had 20 at the half while leading Olimpia to an impressive 99-65 win in Game 2 of the Italian league semifinal. Now, Olimpia leads the best-of-five series 2-0. Game 3 will be played in Venezia, on June 2, right after the EuroLeague Final Four. After five minutes of low percentages, turnovers and fouls, from both sides, Olimpia close the first period on a 19-0, devastating, run. The margin exploded, the team never looked back. Sergio Rodriguez added 14 points and seven assists. All the Olimpia players entered the court and all of them scored. Venezia used its best defensive player, Julyan Stone on Shavon Shields trying to take him out of the game after his dominating Game 1. While Shields was held scoreless in the first half, he had eight points in the third quarter, but more than that the rest of the guys took advantage of the room they had to operate. Olimpia overcame also another night troubled by fouls for Kyle Hines. It didn’t matter, the defense was outstanding throughout the game. “It was a great win – Coach Ettore Messina said, at the end – Delaney and Rodriguez, our point-men set the tone, leading the entire team with their exceptional play, but that’s obvious. I prefer to point out what the team did, finding the focus and mentality to win five playoff games, while waiting for the Final Four to be played. Believe me, it’s hard to keep this kind of focus.”

Ettore Messina coached his 100th playoff game, now he has 67 wins. He is third all-time, but just one coached game behind Jasmin Repesa, who is sitting in second place. Olimpia didn’t have Kevin Punter. A minor injury forced him to sit out the game. Michael Roll replaced him and had another solid game, while Gigi Datome got the starting job on a big lineup featuring Shields at the guard spot. “Venezia was tired, that’s undeniable, but our game was huge, we never raised the foot, we never let down,” Messina added. Olimpia made 11 threes, went 18-for-18 from the line, had 20 assists, won the rebounding battle 37-22, led by guard Riccardo Moraschini’s team-high seven boards. It was a collective effort.