Panathinaikos did not manage to take the series to 3-0 at “Venetokleio”. Kolossos Rhodes was the one to clinch victory by 73-68 and now this playoffs series of the OPAP BasketLeague semifinals goes to a fourth game.
The game had a completely different picture compared to the two previous semifinals at the OAKA. Kolossos Rhodes was clearly feistier at its home arena, more determined, and certainly more successful in its shooting. On the other hand, Panathinaikos appeared rather nervous (which translated into several missed free throws), allowing its opponent additional second chances and uncontested shots.
The “Greens” got in the lead (2-7, 3’50’’), but the home team made a swift comeback, thus offering a first taste of things to come. They took the lead (8-7), Panathinaikos made a come back of its own to reach up to a five-point lead (14-19, 18’), only for the first quarter to end up in a tie (20-20).
Kolossos owned the second quarter, reaching a seven-point lead (39-32, 19’), with Zeljko Obradovic changing lineups and seeking solutions. Toalarge extent, those solutions were found in the third quarter, when the score of 44-38 (23’) turned into 46-48 (27’15’’) with the third period ending by 50-52. None of the two teams was able to “bag” the game.
Kolossos got to a +3 lead (55-52, 32’), Panathinaikos got the lead back (56-57, 33’), the home team retorted (61-59 και 62-61), before the “Greens” reached a +4 lead (62-66, 38’15’’). But, again, nothing was over.Liakopoulos and Georgallis crunched the lead down to a single point (65-66) with 1’41’’ left on the clock, the former also being the one to put his team in the lead 67-66 (39’). Hatten made things even grimmer for Panathinaikos as he was successful in a three-pointer, thus stretching the lead to +4 points for his team (70-66) with 31’’ left until the final buzzer. Liakopoulos was led to the free throw line, turned the score 71-66 with now just 25’’ left, and with Logan and Tsartsaris both missing a three-point shot apiece before and after the free throws. Hatten boosted the lead to +6 points (72-66), with 13 seconds left to the end of the game.
Two free throws by Vougioukas reduced the margin (72-68) withjust 6’’ left on the clock, only for Liakopoulos to turn the score 73-68 which was the one that was left on the scoreboard by the end of the game.
Panathinaikos leads by 2-1 over Kolossos in the semifinals series and will be claiming a third victory in the fourth game, which is set to take place on Monday (30/4) at 17:00.
Referees: Anastopoulos, Bitis, Goumas
By quarter: 20-20, 39-34, 50-52, 73-68
Kolossos Rhodes (Fragkias): Liakopoulos 17, Hatten 13, Kalaitzis 13, Panos 1, Georgallis 5, Asimakopoulos 10, Boykin, Harissis6, Tsamis 6, Hopson 2
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Maric 8, Perperoglou 3, Logan 11, Sato 6, Tsartsaris, Diamantidis 4, Vougioukas 14, CalathesΝ. 6, Smith 2, Kaimakoglou 3, Jasikevicius 11
