Italy: Virtus Are Best In BolognaDerby

EuroCup side VidiVici Bologna are alone at the top of Italy as Lega A's only unbeaten side after edging the city derby against Climamio.

Travis Best finished with 17 points to lead all scorers while Italian national team point guard Fabio Di Bella weighed in with 10 as Virtus won 64-60.

Virtus were in Italy's second division just two years ago.
"It's a great joy to give our fans some joy after four years of suffering," said Virtus' winning coach Zare Markovski.

"(But) to be top of the standings is not enough for us. We have won five games, now we want to win our sixth."

Markovski was full of praise for Best, the veteran from America who has given a spark to the backcourt.

"Travis Best was perfect," he said. "He takes command of the team on the court when we are in need without me having to ask him."

Vidivici owner Claudio Sabatini could not have asked for a better present on his 47th birthday.
"I am really delighted," he said. "I thought at one point we would lose as we gave several turnovers away but in the end, we won because we have a group of 12 players.

"Markovski is our number one. He has the courage to take his ideas forward.

"Perhaps we haven't seen a great game but our fans have seen the spirit of this Vidivici Bologna."

Virtus are among the favourites to win the EuroCup this season.
They are in Group H with Amsterdam Admirals, Adecco ASVEL and EKA AEL Lemesos.