Olimpia survived again its own struggles at the offensive end of the floor early in the Italy Cup finals against Sassari. It survived a hot-shooting start by its opponent. Then took control of the game in the first half last two minutes, carrying it over the second half. In the end it won 84-74 and for once it was the defense pushing the team over the hump. The defense allowed Milano to stay in the game early and the defense allowed the transition offense to do some damage before three-point shooting started to become a massive weapon in the second half. Ricky Hickman scored 25 points with 5 for 7 from three in probably his best game of the season so far. He went out with the MVP award in his hands. His game was a masterpiece like Rakim Sanders’ energy and his two consecutive three-pointers to start the second half that Sassari barely survived. But it was a team effort because the defense was outstanding, Cinciarini’s motor was at full speed and so Dragic’s defense and Pascolo all-out energy while Coach Repesa’s use of the small-ball line-up featuring Macvan at number 5 was once again a nightmare for the very highly regarded Sassari’s defense.

It was Olimpia’s second consecutive Italy Cup, the sixth overall, the fourth consecutive trophies the team has been to conquer in Italy, the fifth in the Armani’s era which looks more and more brilliant every day.