In one of the best games of the season Panathinaikos overcame Montepaschi Siena, who was at that time unbeaten both in their domestic league and in the Euroleague with a total record of 8-0.
Siena on the other hand depended heavily on their threepoint shooting. And while they had scored 27 of the total 42 points score in the first half, their percentage dropped drastically in the second half and as a result they could not hold off Panathinaikos.
The game was decided in the last 2-3 minutes and Panathinaikos won the game due to three factors. Dimitris Diamantidis who has officially established himself as the new captain of the team and the de facto leader, even taking his offensive game to the next level Sarunas Jasikevicius who last season after the respective Siena-Panathinaikos game had stated that he likes to be in the starting five of the team to show his opponents 'who the boss is'. And last night his wish came true, as Obradovic in a really rare decision started Jasikevicius and he did not regret it as Panathinaikos was leading Siena even by a double score in the beginning of the game. Needless to say Jasikevicius took some decisive shots at the end of the game, converting the free throws he had won. And finally the OAKA crowd, one of the biggest, if not the biggest, crowds of Euroleague stood by their players and cheered for them during the entire game helping them to keep OAKA unbeaten and the guest team unhappy, once more.
On other news now, Panathinaikos signed the Georgian prospect Giorgi Shermadini (2.16, 19). He might even make the roster for their next games, vs Panellinios and Prokom in the next week. Shermadini was present in OAKA last Thursday, sitting by Panathinaikos' bench and was happy enough to take pictures with some fans in the stands. Shermandini had averaged 33.5 ppg, 18.4 rpg and 3.1 bpg in the Georgian League last season.
Shermadini himself stated about his transfer to Panathinaikos: "Panathinaikos is not a team that sings a player if they are not sure that he can play with them, so it's a big honor for me and also a great opportunity. Three years ago, when I started my career, I coudn't even imagine that I should be part of the best European team. I'll work hard to show my potential and have some playing time when coach Obradovic decides that I am ready to be on the court."
With the addition of Shermandini to their squad, Panathinaikos front line becomes more than just scary if one considers that it is already packed with top-class players such as Pekovic, Baiste, Tsartsaris and Fotsis.
