Derthona finishes 1st and awaits Mortara in the quarterfinals of the playoffs on Saturday
Derthona Basket – Piacenza 63-68
(14-17, 18-15, 19-24, 12-12)
Derthona: Rotondo 17, Cernivani 1, Vitali 3, Samoggia 9, Gioria 6, Venuto 4, Viglianisi 5 NE: Stanojevic, Strotz and Gay D. – Coach: Arioli
Abc Castelfiorentino – Derthona Basket 61-86
(13-22, 10-25, 22-24, 16-15)
Derthona: Rotondo 24, Vitali 18, Stanojevic 1, Gioria 19, Venuto 2, Gatti 5, Strotz 6, Gay D. 2, Viglianisi 9 NE: Samoggia – Coach: Arioli
At the photo finish of the regular season, i.e. on the last day of the clock phase, Derthona managed to maintain first position in the general ranking, thanks to the victory obtained in Castelfiorentino. It should be noted that the Tuscans were already mathematically certain of salvation thanks to the success obtained the day before by Fortitudo in Turin, which condemned CUS to the only relegation expected in the DNC.
With quite a few mental worries, the Bianconeri thus nullified Bologna's comeback as it was not enough for them to complete a complete run in the additional phase of the championship to remove the Tortonesi from poule position. The risk was considerable given that the second week of extra matches had started in the worst possible way with the defeat on the PalaCamagna parquet suffered by Piacenza, who confirmed that they were the best team, together with Fortitudo, in view of the playoffs.
Derthona certainly didn't shine against the Piacenza team, thanks to Samoggia's less than perfect condition, forced to chase the guests for practically three quarters of the match, if we exclude the initial 5-0 lead and the break at the start of the third quarter when, with a determined defense, the Gioria-Venuto couple (for us the best of the evening) also brings the hosts to +6 at 45-39.
For the rest, bad sensations, which began with Rotondo's nervousness immediately fighting with the opposing Italian pivot, and confirmed with the shooting percentages of the whole team certainly not at the top of the class (in the end a paltry 31%), to which are added free throw errors (61%) in crucial moments.
Piacenza, although not excelling, ultimately took advantage of the team's good performance, finishing with 4 men in double figures and 2 immediately behind, which allowed them to maintain the minimum gap until the final siren.
On Sunday, however, on the Florentine hills Derthona rises with greater motivation than the home team (as mentioned already save against CUS Torino), given that our team was fighting for first place: a record defended for the entire season and which, in the event of defeat, it would have passed into the hands of Fortitudo.
Life was easier than expected for Arioli's boys, who were able to spare the bruised Samoggia who remained seated throughout the match and who also got points from the bench, with an excellent Strotz both for the basket and rebounds in the minutes played, and minutes of glory also for the very young Stojanovic and Dario Gay, both with points. Game with a "friendly" atmosphere with Derthona extending up to +10 right from the start, closing the first quarter at 13-22. Same script in the second half, which reaches 23-47, and the gap reaches a maximum of +24. Upon returning from the locker rooms the Tortona players spread up to +32, and then managed the advantage practically until the end. The final scoreboard sees Rotondo among the best scorers with 24 points, Gioria 19 and Vitali 18.
In the play-offs the Bianconeri, who ended the regular season tied with Fortitudo but are first by virtue of the head-to-head matches won, will meet the eighth, Mortara, in the quarter-finals. The best of three matches will be played with a possible winner at Derthona. It starts on Saturday evening 10 May at 21.15pm at PalaCamagna. The seasonal precedents with the Lomellini are tied: 74-65 in the first leg in Mortara for the home team (Cavallaro 24, Mossi 19, Samoggia 20, Rotondo 15, Gioria absent) and 79-72 in the return leg in Tortona for the lions ( Samoggia 27, Rotondo 22, Mossi 29). In short, a series not to be underestimated!
Fortitudo has Cento's turn, while two games are still missing to complete the rest of the playoff grid: Piacenza-Empoli which is played tonight (Monday) and Montecatini-Alessandria which takes place on Wednesday. The first can still affect the pairings in the central area of the standings while the other is irrelevant for the purposes of the playoffs. Then, for those who are left, it will get serious: from now on, the loser is out!
But one thing is certain: today Derthona Basket can celebrate the pinnacle of 60 years of sporting history!!
FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF
DERTHONA BASKET BEARS vs Mortara
Cecina vs Pavia
Piacenza vs Empoli
Fortitudo vs Cento
