Milano loses first game of the season, while Virtus Bologna wins the city “derby”.
Many interesting games this week in this 12 round of the LBA Italy!
Armani Exchange Milano loses its the first game of the season in Trieste. Without some of its top players ( Rodriguez, Hines, Delaney, plus the injured Shields, Moraschini and Datome during game warm-up),Milano stays in the game for three quarters. Allianz Trieste , down by 7 with an excellent 12-2 run is able to gain the lead and close the game 71-68 for a 7W-5L fourth place record.
The 111st Bologna feud between Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna ends with Segafredo Virtus struggling more than expected to win 76-70. After a 12-3 start by Virtus, Fortitudo is able to always stay close. Aradori with a great second half (16pts) keeps Kigili Fortitudo in the game, but 6 missed free throws in the last 2 minutes and a crucial 3poiter scored by Segafredo guard Teodosic give the win to Virtus, that next week will meet Milano for the 1st place in the ranking.
Bertram Derthona Tortona wins against Reyer Venezia (third consecutive loss) and validates a great rookie season in Serie A for coach Ramondino’s team. Umana Venezia without Stone, (Covid) ,Echodas and Tonut are able to be effective ,and even take the lead in the third quarter. As in recent games, the fourth quarter is lethal for coach De Raffaele’s team. Derthona’s Filloy (10) ,Wright (11) and Cain (14-7) guide Tortona to a 27-11 run and a 77-65 victory.
GeVi Napoli loses at home against Dolomiti Energia Trento 72-81. Napoli’s top scorer J.Rich is found positive to Covid on game-day morning. Trento scores 30 points in the first ten minutes, in a game that takes a definite direction from the beginning. In the next round, Napoli (7-5) will be travelling to Venezia (5-7), while third place Trento( 8-4) will be at home versus Varese (3-9)
Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro and UNAhotels Reggio Emilia was another close game in this 12th LBA round. An aggressive Reggio Emilia was able to control the game for three quarters. The Pesaro comeback had both teams thinking of overtime, but a 9meter 3 point buzzer shot by Olisevicius(16), ended it all . In the next round, Reggio Emilia (6-6) will host Tortona (6-6), while Pesaro (4-8) will travel to Brindisi (7-5)
Banco di Sardegna Sassari (5-7) breaks a 4 game losing streak and with the win against Varese(3-9) moves forward in the table . Varese despite being without Gentile, and quickly losing Bean, was able to play an intense game and with Keene (33) and Kell (28) lead for three quarters. Sassari with Logan (20) and team effort (Bendzius 17, Robinson 10+12ass, Burnell 16) score a 35 point 4th quarter to secure an important win.
Germani Brescia wins easily against Vanoli Basket Cremona. The 31-14 first quarter gives Brescia an easy path. Amedeo della Valle is top scorer with 23points. Next week Brescia (5-7) will be in Treviso (6-6), while Cremona (3-9) will host Trieste (7-5).
Happy Casa Brindisi played Nutribullet Treviso in the Sunday night game. An exciting game that Brindisi won in overtime after wasting a 10 point lead in the last 48”. Nutribullet Treviso was trailing 51-38 at half time, and was able to regain contact with very good performances by Russell(20) Dimsa (26) and Sims(16). After a slow start Brindisi’s Gaspardo(11) and Adrien (13) and especially N.Perkins (25) were fundamental in the fourth quarter to gain a safe lead. With little consideration of the time left, Brindisi rushed a couple of shots, that gave Treviso the possibility to score and tie the game at 86 with an off-the backboard 3pointer by Russell. In overtime, Gaspardo and Adrien continue to be important for Happy Casa and final free throws by Josh Perkins end the game. Next week Brindisi (7-5) will be again at home versus Pesaro (4-8), while Treviso (6-6) will host Brescia (5-7) on Dec.27th.
Author: Lino Frattin