Virtus Bologna wins the Matteo Bertolazzi Memorial, defeating Bertram 88-73 in Parma.
Virtus Bologna – Bertram Derthona Tortona 88-73
(18-14, 37-34, 61-51)
Virtus : Bello 7, Frazier 4, Carr 10, Casarin, Moore 13, Edwards 3, Baldasso 7, Baiocchi, Sakhone, Alston 20, Hackett 2, Ferrari 12, Diarra 6, Klintman 2, Diouf 2. Coach Mumbrù.
Derthona : Hubb 18, Gorham 16, Pecchia, Dalla Cia ne, Di Meo ne, Wilkinson, Bortolani 8, Olejniczak 2, Maddox 14, Gazzotti 1, Jallow 7, Durham 7. Coach Fioretti.
Referees : Tirozzi, Tallon, Calella.
Bertram Derthona Tortona's penultimate match of the 2026-27 preseason ended in favor of Virtus Bologna. At the PalaCiti in Parma, the Emilian team, which fielded 14 players, won 88-73 and won the Matteo Bertolazzi Memorial.
Of the four teams competing in the 2026 LBA SisalClub Super Cup on September 19-20, which will be played at Derthona's Nova Arena, Virtus, led by recently retired Tommaso Baldasso, led the way for much of the game, shooting more accurately from beyond the arc (13-31), especially with Derrick Alston (4-5 from three for 20 points overall), and had a stronger rebounding presence. Bertram held firm in the first half, taking a greater number of trips to the free throw line, especially with the infallible Prentiss Hubb (10-10, in the team's final 28-32 with the clock stopped). The American point guard finished as Tortona's top scorer with 18 points and 7 assists, ahead of the returning Justin Gorham (16) and Maddox (14).
Still without Eboua and Vene, Bertram bid farewell to the seasonal debut of Aljami Durham, who played 18 minutes after the injury that sidelined him immediately after the start of his athletic training in mid-August.
Derthona's next friendly match will coincide with their season opener at the Nova Arena and the Bianconeri's final preseason outing. Saturday the 12th at 18:30 PM against Una Hotels Reggio Emilia will be a dress rehearsal for the following Saturday's Super Cup semifinal against Umana Reyer Venezia.
Declarations
Coach Mario Fioretti: "We faced a top-level team. We played very well in the first two quarters, creating good shots and missing several open ones. We definitely suffered in the second half of the game, with a few too many turnovers and a lot of offensive rebounds conceded while being physically challenged. We know this is a time when we need to work and improve to be even more ready."
