Belinelli carries Virtus Bologna over highly competitive Derthona / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Michele Nucci/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire-Scanpix Credit Michele Nucci/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire-Scanpix

Virtus Bologna got the upper hand in their semifinal series against the sensation of the season, Bertram Derthona, by 77-73 (21-16, 14-22, 16-17, 26-18).

The team based in Tortona was promoted to the top division only last summer. In their first season ever in Serie A, they reached the final of the Italian Cup and are now in the league's semifinal.

Derthona already defeated Virtus two times during the season, the first one in a regular-season game and the other one in the semifinal of the Italian Cup. Not this time, though.

Sergio Scariolo's team, who recovered Tornike Shengelia, showed up with a full roster. Bertram Derthona found an unexpected protagonist in Luca Severini. His three-point shot that could have tied the game went off the mark, while Marco Belinelli carried Bologna on his shoulders scoring 19 points in the last quarter alone.

The Italian forward finished with 25 points overall, leading all scorers. EuroCup MVP Mam Jaiteh added 13 and Toko Shengelia another 10. Jamarr Sanders put up 16 for the losing side.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: Marco Belinelli 25 (8/17 FG, 5/8 FT, 4 REB), Mam Jaiteh 13, Tornike Shengelia 11, Milos Teodosic 10.

Bertram Derthona Basket Tortona: Ariel Filloy 9, Jamarr Sanders 16, JP Macura 12.

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