Olimpia survived a sloppy start and a 17-point first quarter deficit, when Pesaro was on fire and made 6-for-8 from three-point range, then gradually improved its play and found a way to win 88-81. “We didn’t start well, but in the middle of a tough EuroLeague playoff series I got to congratulate my players for the way they responded and how they simply refused to accept the loss,” Coach Ettore Messina said. Olimpia used its defense to set the tone in the second quarter when Pesaro was held to 10 points and the deficit was down to five points. In the second half, Olimpia had a much better offensive execution, took the lead late in the third and managed to finish the game off. Shavon Shields scored 16 points, 14 in the first half, Zach LeDay scored all his 22 points in a dominating second half, Paul Biligha had a huge impact, scored seven points, added seven boards and three steals, overplaying the passing lanes.

Coach Messina decided to rest Malcolm Delaney, Sergio Rodriguez and Kyle Hines and named Andrea Cinciarini starter for the day. The Captain responded with more than 23 minutes of great effort, at both ends of the floor, and ignited the break that closed the gap in the third quarter. “They played a great game – he said at the end -, they were motivated and wanted to close the season on a high note in their building, but after the first period we regrouped, we defended as a team and hit the open.”

Vlado Micov scored his 2.000th Italian league point early in the game, then finished the game strongly. When Olimpia built a seven-point lead, Pesaro was able to close the gap and tying the game once more. That was when Micov made a top of the key three. A little bit later with a huge from the corner, Zach LeDay closed the game.