Luigi Datome and rest of Milan's old guard lift another championship title / News - Basketnews.com

Olimpia Milano pinned Virtus Bologna down to 55 points and won their second straight domestic championship trophy.

Credit: Simone Lucarelli/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire Credit Simone Lucarelli/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan needed a Game 7 to overcome Virtus Segafredo Bologna's resistance and lift their 30th Serie A championship title. The hosts prevailed by 67-55 (21-9, 17-20, 10-5, 19-21) at the Mediolanum Forum and celebrated an ideal closure to the season that saw both Italian teams not making the EuroLeague playoffs.

Luigi Datome

MIN:9.36PTS:3.67 (39.13%)REB:0.83As:0ST:0.17BL:0TO:0GM:6ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

It was the second straight domestic title for the Lombardian side and the sixth for coach Ettore Messina in his native country. Messina is now tied with Simone Pianigiani at the top of the coaches' table with the most Serie A trophies.

On the other hand, Virtus were suffocating badly on offense and didn't manage to stage a competitive game. However, Game 7 could mark Sergio Scariolo's farewell to Virtus. His return to Real Madrid seems very probable.

The hosts were holding on to a double-digit lead for the better part of the game. Virtus tried to stay close, despite scoring only 9 points in the first and 5 in the third quarter. Milos Teodosic made it an eight-point game (55-47) before Billy Baron and Luigi Datome hit two 3-point shots with less than four minutes left.

The margin grew up to 15 points instantly (64-49) and Milan's win was secured, despite Virtus' late attempts to prevent the inevitable.

Datome led all scorers with 18 points and 7/10 from the field, plus 4 rebounds. He also won Finals MVP honors.

Billy Baron and Shavon Shields, who's expected to re-sign with the team, followed with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Tornike Shengelia scored 13 points for Bologna, as the visitors had only 2 steals but 16 turnovers that cost them dearly.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan: Luigi Datome 16 (7/10 FG, 4 REB), Billy Baron 11 (3/9 FG, 3/3 FT), Shavon Shields 10 (3/14 FG, 3/4 FT, 4 REB), Kyle Hines 8 (4/5 FG).

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: Tornike Shengelia 13 (4/6 FG, 3/3 FT, 4 REB), Milos Teodosic 10 (3/11 FG, 1/2 FT, 1 AST, 2 TO), Daniel Hackett 7 (6 REB), Jordan Mickey 6.

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