It was a classic Olimpia game but this time it was Pippo Ricci’s turn to take the center role and lead Olimpia to a 88-86 win over Cantù. The Captain scored 22 points, his Olimpia’s career-high, including six triples that kept Cantù at distance and in the fourth quarter became the go-to guy. So much so that Coach Peppe Poeta elected to close the game without Zach LeDay, who was one of the best especially early in the game. As a fact, Olimpia led by as many as 13 points twice, in the first and in the second period. But as it happened several times before, it was not capable to finish the opponent. Olimpia led for the majority of the game. Twice in the third, Erick Green pushed Cantù ahead by one point but trailing never took place for more the one possession. What Olimpia didn’t have was the ability to get away for good. In the fourth quarter the game even spectacular when De Nicolao, Chiozza and Sneed made three threes but Olimpia responded every time, Ricci twice and then a gigantic Leandro Bolmaro. In the end Cantù attempted to steal the win on a Green half court heave that finished short. While Ricci finished with 22 points and 6-for-10 from three-point range, Leandro Bolmaro added 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and was his usual self at the defensive end of the floor. Shavon Shields scored 16 points, Zach LeDay had 14 and Josh Nebo scored nine points and added seven rebounds in a tough night against an emerging center like Oumar Ballo who was ignited by Cantù since very early in the game. Olimpia improved to 15-5 for the Italian league season and has won 10 of its last 12.