Olimpia Milano: Coppa Italia won after great suffering with Tortona

The Italian Cup returns to Olimpia Milano. For the ninth time in its history, the Milanese club won the trophy by overcoming Tortona in a tough final. That’s because the Peppe Poeta-led team first dominated, even taking a 17-point lead, then had to suffer it losing control, except responding with great character in the final quarter, first led by Armoni Brooks, the MVP, then by the majestic defense of Leandro Bolmaro and finally with the killer MArko Guduric in the 85-77 final.

Martino Davidi

Olimpia starts strong on both ends of the court, stops Tortona’s offense and when it fails to do so scores with many different men and the inside presence of Josh Nebo. The lead immediately rises to seven points, then Tortona finds some jumpers from the mid-range by Christian Vital and stays hooked. When Coach Poeta resorts to the bench, Armoni Brooks comes up with two triples from isolation plays and the margin explodes to 17 points. Tortona goes better with the theoretical second quintet, Biligha’s verticality in rebounding and of course Prentiss Hubb. Olimpia ends the first quarter 32-18 with one problem being Guduric’s two fouls.

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But Tortona attacks better in the second period, especially controlling rebounds more and using its shooters, Hubb and Vital. Olimpia’s energy level drops, Coach Poeta uses a time-out, but Tortona falls below double digits late. It continues: scoring by Hubb, Vital, Gorham, Vital again. The turnovers become contagious and Tortona falls back to minus two in an instant with 2:01 to play, forcing Coach Poeta to spend the second time-out as well. A rebound dunk by Nebo puts Olimpia back in rhythm, Olejniczak rebounding again responds. Guduric with a triple digs five points and Hubb (13 in the first half) continues his incredible period with another missile. At the end of the first half it is 47-45.

Olimpia returns to the court nervous, misses at least three easy jumpers from mid-range. Ellis has to go to the bench with three fouls, but Guduric’s third one also comes. Tortona relies on Justin Gorham. His three-point play then reinforced by Strautins’ second triple turns the game around. Another missile by Gorham digs a six-point lead for Tortona, 56-50. Milan relies on Brooks: the first initiative generates a Nebo dunk, the second is a triple. He hits two free throws later and Guduric backs him up with a jumper from the mid-range that keeps Olimpia within one possession at the end of the third, 62-59. Early in the fourth, Guduric ties it with a three-point play.

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A little later with a step-back again Guduric puts Milan back ahead. Then Brooks scores from three, Bolmaro steals ball and converts plus four. He does it twice. With 5:35 to go, Coach Fioretti uses a time-out as Tortona is on Hubb’s shoulders and Olimpia ahead 74-70. On the comeback comes another missile by Brooks for plus seven with four minutes to play. Fatigue prevails over percentages and lucidity. The game is played with energy. Guduric, returning with four fouls on his back, puts up the triple for plus nine. On the possession following Coach Fioretti’s time-out, however, comes his fifth foul. Immediately following is also Ellis’ fourth. With 1:07 left, LeDay works against the bonus restoring eight points for Olimpia. Nebo’s floater closes it out: 85-77.

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