It was one of those nights. The nights that belong to Olimpia’s DNA when the heart and soul, as Coach Ettore Messina said, will lead the team over the obstacle, no matter how high it is. Shorthanded Olimpia defeated the defending champions of Panathinaikos 87-75 at the end of a game led since early in the second quarter because of an incredible sequence of plays made by Zach LeDay. A personal 10-0 run turned a three-point deficit into a seven-point lead: three, three, sideline fade-away and top of the key fade-away. It was not a game, it was a show for LeDay who finished with 39 points of rating, 33 points scored, eight rebounds, 5-for-7 from three-point range, a total domination of Juancho Hernangomez and Dinos Mitoglou who played many of minutes at the center spot.
However, Olimpia went to tha half leading by two points only and after a mid-range dagger made by Kostas Sloukas the game was tied at 39 early in the third period. But that was the last time, Panathinaiks was able to tie the score up. Nico Mannion made two consecutive threes and a little later added a free throw. Unexpected heroes came up big in the third. Olimpia took over and three times built a nine-point lead. The first on a offensive rebound grabbed by Guglielmo Caruso that turned into a Shavon Shields’ huge three; the second was a Caruso at-the-rim lay-up and the third time he made his free throws. It was the best EuroLeague game of his young career. Shields and LeDay late in the third opened up a 16-point canyon. In the fourth, Panathinaikos attempted twice to make the game close. Early with two huge threes made by Sloukas that reduced the lead to ten points; a little bit later, Kendrick Nunn shrank the margin to nine. That was it. While Shields made some clutch plays at both ends of the floor, Freddie Gillespie managed to dominate in spurts under the board finishing with a double double. Olimpia stayed in control and finished comfortably ahead, 87-75.
“The fans created a great atmosphere right from the beginning – Coach Ettore Messina said – We played with heart starting the first possession and we also played good basketball. Otherwise, you don’t score that many points against a team like Panathinaikos. As a coaching staff we always try to prepare the game well, but it is up to the players to give what they have for 40 minutes. The guys did just that tonight. Zach LeDay was incredible. After the three seasons he spent at Partizan, he is now a leader, a vocal one, slightly different if compared to the Mirotic and Shields leadership because they are more introverted. They complement each other and we are lucky. Four years ago he was an all-energy guy, very generous, but sometimes he made mistakes, let’s say tactical mistake. Not anymore.” The Coach pointed out to the game that Freddie Gillespie had. “He is improving by the day, he is cleaning up his game. Caruso had a great game too, he was a presence inside, he scored, he grabbed board. Not easy for him,” he said. Finally, Olimpia managed to open up the game with a 27-13 third quarter. The defense came up big and Leandro Bolmaro’s guard mounted on Kendrick Nunn was great including a late block.
