Pre Semi-Final Cup
Stadium: Pylaia
Tickets: 2000
Panathinaikos, apparently tired from the continuous trips (especially this last one to Bamberg), did not reach a high-standards performance during the Cup game against PAOK but this was enough to beat them by 68-54 and go through to the semi-finals awaiting the opponent that will come out from the game of Panellinios-Panionios. The game was not one of high-class but PAO, with their players΄ class and composure in the crucial moments, managed to get a relatively comfortable win and the qualification. PAOK surprised PAO at the beginning, taking a 6-0 lead (2/2 three-pointers) but PAO improved in defense and with a 13-3 run took a 13-9 lead. With Batiste effective in the low post Panathinaikos had yet another run of 11-2 and a lead of 15-24 in the 13th but a fighting PAOK, thanks to Gillespie, took advantage of some turnovers and came up close again (17΄, 24-26). The first half ended with PAO ahead by 24-31. Panathinaikos prevailed in the second half with Sarunas Jasikevicius making the plays and Kennedy Winston helping out in offense. In the 23rd the European Champions took a 15-point lead (41-26). PAOK΄s good defense and a few three-pointers brought them back to the game at the end of the third period (40-44), but PAO got serious in both defense and offense and took a 44-54 lead in the 34th (thanks to Saras and Winston three-pointers), reaching the win and qualification.
