Bologna, Jenuary 16 –
Starting with reduced ranks, with only one centre and one point guard, given the significant absences of Smailagic, Diarra and Vildoza (in addition to Taylor’s recent departure), many considered yesterday’s feat very difficult to achieve. Another problem to contend with was the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, a veritable fortress where only Maccabi Tel Aviv had managed to emerge victorious this year (and even then by only two points, despite the Bianconeri’s resounding 72-80 victory), given the physical toll of such a long and gruelling journey. Dubai Basketball had beaten Fenerbahce 92-81 at home just a week ago, confirming their excellent form on home turf.
However, as mentioned, Virtus managed to secure an important victory, and yesterday, Saliou Niang stood out above all others. A promising young player on the national and international scene, even the most superstitious fans will have welcomed the 17 points and 17 rebounds that earned the young Bianconero the title of MVP of the evening. Seventeen rebounds is an exceptional achievement in itself (Niang equalled Griffith’s Virtus Euroleague record set on 29 March 2001 against Fortitudo, in a semi-final that ended 92-84, a prelude to the Grand Slam that would materialise a few months later); but which take on even more historical significance given that they were not achieved by a 5. Saliou becomes the first “non-big man” ever to achieve a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds in the history of Europe’s top competition. To see numbers like these in the last five seasons, we have to look to players of absolute value and of a different “calibre” such as Tavares, Milutinov and Motley.
