Olimpia closed Sassari off with a big 87-69 road win to clinch a berth for the Italian league finals. It is the sixth consecutive trip to an Italian championship game over two seasons. Milano started the game stuttering a little bit but the second unit gave the team a big lift and after getting the lead Olimpia never trailed again. Up by 13 at the half, Olimpia allowed Sassari to come back within seven early in the third quarter but responded with a lot of energy, defense and was very sharp moving the ball and shooting it. Tommaso Baldasso was the unsung hero of the game scoring 17 points. Gigi Datome was huge during the crucial runs, Nicolò Melli was a presence at both ends of the floor. It was a true team effort with the veterans at some point taking a backseat while being still effective like Kyle Hines and Sergio Rodriguez. “The second unit was great, they made the run to take control of the game in the first half so when the regulars came back they found a favorable situation – Coach Ettore Messina said at the end – Baldasso, Biligha gave us quality time off the bench and Melli is improving every day.” The best-of-seven championship series will begin next Wednesday on Bologna against the defending champions of Virtus Bologna.