Dinamo Sassari-Virtus Bologna will be the final of the XIV International Tournament "City of Cagliari". At PalaPirastu, Nenad Markovic's white-blues beat Paok Salonicco by 83-70. Positive result, in the other semifinal, also for the V Nere, who beat the Spanish team from Gran Canaria by 79-62 after a match dominated for long stretches.
Dinamo on the ball. Second pre-season test and second win for the Sassari team, capable of leading for all 40 minutes with very few mistakes. In Cagliari, Banco fans were able to discover the new playmaker Justin Bibbins, lined up in the quintet and immediately capable of showing the way to his teammates in terms of application and defensive intensity. After an initial mini break of 6-2, Dinamo extended to +7 with a triple by Tambone, and then went into the first long break ahead at 24-15 thanks to a blaze by Fobbs, star of the first half with 14 points on the scoresheet. The good moment of the former Bonn player continued in the second period, which ended with an 11-point lead (Renfro also did well coming off the bench).
Upon returning to the field, Bibbins also made himself appreciated for his effectiveness from 6.75 m, then Paok tried to raise the pace in the defensive half of the field and reduced the gap to -8 also with the help of flashes of zone defense. However, Banco managed to find new resources despite the forfeit of Halilovic (out at the start of the third period due to a blow to the face following a clash with Bartley), and regained control of the inertia already at 30' on +14 (64-50).
In the end, Bendzius and his teammates completed the work by taking advantage of Renfro's excellent form, who made the difference on both sides of the field, leading his team to victory.
On Saturday (9 pm) Dinamo will face Virtus Bologna in the final, which despite the absences of Belinelli, Cordinier, Shengelia, Grazulis and Cacok, managed to knock out with authority a Euroleague "big" team like Gran Canaria. A brilliant first half by Tucker (17 points) was decisive, as was an equally positive second half by Clybyurn (16).
At 18.30, Gran Canaria and Paok will take to the field for the third-fourth place final.
Dinamo Sassari-Paok Thessaloniki 83-70
Banco di Sardegna Sassari: Cappelletti 4, Piredda ne, Bibbins 13, Trucchetti 5, Halilovic 2, Fobbs 14, Tambone 9, Udom 2, Bendzius 8, Vincini 4, Sokolowski 8, Renfro 14. Coach Markovic
Paok Mateco: Henderson 8, Upson 10, Forrester 4, Iatridis, Persidis 8, Katsivelis 4, Skoulariotis ne, Papadakis 5, Bartley 17, Reynolds 4, Kreuser 10. Coach Cancellieri
Partials: 24-15; 48-37; 64-50