Derthona celebrates at home and goes strong in Game 4: Reyer Venezia defeated 82-71
Bertram Derthona Tortona – Umana Reyer Venice 82-71
(20-15, 43-31, 58-54)
Tortona: Vital 16, Hubb 11, Gorham 7, Manjon 10, Pecchia 2, Chapman 6, Tandia, Baldasso 13, Strautins 3, Olejniczak 2, Biligha 12, Riismaa NE All. Fioretti.
Venice: Tessitori 11, Cole 10, Horton 9, Lever NE, De Nicolao NE, Candi 5, Bowman 10, Wheatle 11, Nikolic, Parks 3, Witljer 4, Valentine 8. All. Spahija.
Referees: Rossi from Arezzo, Bartoli from Trieste, Pepponi from Perugia.
With a commanding performance, Bertram Derhtona Tortona defeated Umana Reyer Venezia 82-71 to win Game 3, forcing Game 4 and coming back from 2-1 down in the Quarterfinal series.
Five players in double figures for Mario Fioretti's team: Christian Vital (16 points with 3/6 from three), Tommaso Baldasso (13 points and 4 rebounds), Paul Biligha (12 points and 5 rebounds), Prentiss Hubb (11 points) and Ezra Manjon (10 points).
The next match is now set for Sunday, May 24th at 18:00 PM for a crucial Game 4.
Reyer Venezia defeated in a fiery Nova Arena
Derthona got off to a strong start in front of their home fans, with a wild three-pointer from Christian Vital making it 5-0 after just a few minutes. Midway through the first quarter, the Ezra Manjon show began, with eight consecutive points from the American point guard putting Bertram up by seven (15-8) with 3:15 to play. Reyer Venezia, however, responded and reduced the deficit to 20-15 after ten minutes of play.
The Bianconeri's approach didn't change in the second quarter, with two consecutive three-pointers from Captain Baldasso for a maximum lead (+11, 28-17) after two minutes of play. A perfect free throw from Justin Gorham increased the lead to +15 (32-17). Reyer went on a 6-1 run to get back into the game, but Arturs Strautins staved off any fears from the arc. At halftime, Derthona led 43-31.
Manjon reopened the second half with a mid-range jumper, but Neven Spahija's team responded with a 5-0 run that brought them back to a single-digit deficit (45-36). A phenomenal 2-1 run from Vital tried to give Derthona a boost, but the Orogranata continued to grind away until Denzel Valentine's three-pointer (50-47), but Vital responded immediately with two bombs. With one quarter left, Bertram's score was 58-54.
The final quarter kicked off with a 2-and-1 from Prentiss Hubb, who broke away on a fast break to give Bertram a boost. The visitors came back with a 3-for-3 free throw from Jordan Parks, but Hubb hit back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by Baldasso (72-64), forcing a Reyer timeout with 5:45 left. The tie remained even for the remainder of the fourth quarter, with both teams responding blow for blow, but the final minutes favored Derthona, who took Game 3.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
