Olimpia was overcome by Efes’ physicality, energy and overall defense, succumbing 89-69 in Istanbul. The two-time defending champions played a must win game, necessary to pursue the title defense, with a perfect attitude. Will Clyburn, used at the 4, was the first to lead the charge with 11 first quarter points. The other tenors followed: Shane Larkin had a 12-point second quarter and Vada Micic completed the job in the third. But the entire Efes team was sharp and effective. Olimpia looked slow in its rotations, shot the ball well from the arc but had some costly turnovers early, struggled at controlling the boards in a crucial second quarter and generally looked overmatched. Olimpia started well leading 10-4 with Johannes Voigtmann on fire. Then Efes responded with two consecutive threes and regained control of the game. From that point on, Efes progressively extend its lead reaching a 23-point margin. Olimpia’s last attempt took place early in the fourth when the deficit was reduced to 15 points and Coach Ataman called his first and only time-out of the night. Micic got off the huddle and made a step back three at the end of the shot clock that basically turn momentum around. “They slapped us in the face during the first five minutes – Coach Messina admitted – and then we had a pathetic performance. We didn’t show any competitiveness, and this is the saddest part of the night.” Olimpia was coming off eight wins over a nine-game stint, “this is why after giving ourselves a chance because of the streak we owed ourselves a better game. We didn’t respect ourselves enough, tonight,” Messina added.