Drama in the realm of Italian basketball. After being unable to attend the majority of the LBA Finals due to suspected mononucleosis, the diagnosis that no one wanted to hear arrived: Achille Polonara, forward for Virtus Segafredo Bologna, has myeloid leukemia. The black and white club made the announcement: "Over the past few weeks, Achille Polonara has had additional expert medical testing, which resulted in the diagnosis of myeloid leukemia. Polonara is currently receiving treatment at the Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital in Bologna, where he has initiated specific therapies. The entire Virtus Segafredo Bologna family is with Achille and his loved ones and wishes him a speedy recovery". Unfortunately, this is the player's second tough stop in less than two years: in 2023, he was forced to stop due to testicular cancer, which he overcame with surgery and a lengthy recuperation period before returning to the court. Now he faces another challenge. But those who know Polonara know he will not back down, handling this challenge with the same grit and courage he has always demonstrated.