Manu will make Italian decision by Friday

Manu Ginobili still is mulling a decision on whether to join his former Italian team Virtus Bologna during the lockout.

Ginobili told DiarioShow.com in a story posted at Sportando.com that he will make his decision on whether to join Virtus Bologna

“I did not say no to the proposal. In Bologna, I had great time and my wife Marianela loves Italy,” Ginobili said. ”There is a possibility that I will join Virtus Bologna during the NBA lockout. I have to give an answer by the end of the month.”

Ginobili is very familiar with the area after playing for Kinder Bologna from 2000-02 before joining the Spurs.  He helped his team claim the 2001 Italian Championship, the 2001 and 2002 Italian Cups, and the 2001 Euroleague, where he was named the league’s  Final  Four MVP.

It’s not the only offer from outside the country that Ginobili has received during the lockout. He received another opportunity from an unnamed team in Brazil, but said if he does play overseas it will only be for Virtus Bologna.

That team has also made ato join Ginobili. Potentially, it could be one of the most entertaining teams to watch if the lockout cuts into the NBA season.

But Ginobili told Sportando that he plans to return to the Spurs after the lockout.

“It would be just for few months and then I will be back to Spurs,” Ginobili said.

As both sides become entrenched in their positions, look for other NBA players to give more serious thought to playing overseas during their forced break.

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