It was an excellent test for Pallacanestro Varese, which faced Olimpia Milano in its second preseason exhibition game. The red-and-whites, missing Della Valle, Roby, Duke, and Librizzi—and with Kamagate’s playing time limited—delivered a solid performance against a top-tier opponent, which was also dealing with some absences. During the scrimmage, the score was reset to zero at the end of each quarter, with the aggregate score over the four quarters going to Milan, 95–90. Beyond the final result, the main objective was to continue building up playing time, improve chemistry among the players, and take another step forward in the run-up to the start of the season. Encouraging signs came especially from Varese’s ability to bounce back after a tougher first half and stay in the game right up to the final possessions. Leading the red-and-white offense was once again Hunter Hale, the team’s top scorer with 35 points. Varese now has a week of training ahead of it before the Sondrio tournament, scheduled for Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, where they will face Trieste and Cantù, respectively.
The game opened with both teams trading baskets: Renfro and Hale scored the first baskets for the red-and-whites, but midway through the quarter, Milan picked up the pace and went on a run that allowed them to pull ahead 15-7. Three-pointers by McDowell-White and Hale brought Varese back within striking distance, before the first quarter ended 22-17. Olimpia also got off to a better start in the second quarter, scoring nine consecutive points. Varese’s comeback was led by McDowell-White, Renfro, and Nikolic, who gradually closed the gap. Hale and Alviti hit shots from long range, while in the closing moments, Villa and Nikolic allowed the red-and-whites to close the gap even further: Milan still won the quarter 22-19, virtually heading into halftime with a 44-36 lead.
Varese’s best stretch came in the third quarter. Hale took charge of the red-and-white offense, scoring consistently both inside the paint and from beyond the arc and leading the comeback. His contributions were complemented by those of Nikolic, Villa, McDowell-White, and Ikangi: Openjobmetis built a 26-19 lead and closed out the quarter ahead 26-21, cutting the overall deficit to just one possession. The final quarter remained tightly contested right up to the buzzer. Milan tried once again to pull away, but three-pointers by Alviti, Hale, and Ikangi kept Varese in the game. McDowell-White first tied the score at 16-16 and then put Varese ahead, while in the closing moments, Alviti and the Australian point guard himself gave the red-and-whites a 28-27 lead. However, Olimpia scored the final three points, winning the quarter 30-28 and securing a 95-90 victory overall.
ARMANI OLIMPIA MILANO-PALLACANESTRO OPENJOBMETIS VARESE: 95-90 (22-17; 22-19; 21-26; 30-28)
Armani Olimpia Milano: Cole 2, Hall 12, Mathews 21, Peters 7, Booker 8, Flaccadori 11, Burnell 13, Diop 9, Peek 2, Stojanovic 8. Coach: Giuseppe Poeta.
Pallacanestro Openjobmetis Varese: Alviti 13, Villa 4, McDowell-White 17, Nikolic 5, Hale 35, Renfro 8, Kamagate, Ladurner 2, Ikangi 6, Prato, Celiz (did not play), Risi, Basualdo (did not play). Coach: Giannis Kastritis.