Christon at the siren: Game 1 belongs to Derthona
Bertram Derthona-Dolomiti Energia Trentino 79-78
(19-18, 43-45, 62-57)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Christon 11, Mortellaro ne, Candi 8, Tavernelli 2, Filloy 5, Severini 7, Harper 5, Daum 14, Cain 9, Radošević 7, Macura 11, Filoni ne. All. Ramondino
Trento: Conti, Spagnolo 9, Forray, Flaccadori 16, Udom 9, Crawford 6, Ladurner, Grazulis 14, Atkins 16, Lockett 8. All. Molin
A basket like a great player from Semaj Christon gives Bertram Derthona success in game 1 of the quarterfinals. At the end of a very balanced and exciting match, the Juventus playmaker made PalaEnergica rejoice. Race 2 is scheduled again in Casale Monferrato on Tuesday 16 May at 19pm.
Intense first quarter at PalaEnrgica: Flaccadori leads Trento to the lead in the opening minutes, while in the following moments Derthona recovers and overtakes, finishing ahead 19-18 in the 10th minute. In the second half, Dolomiti Energia raises the intensity of its game and takes the lead in scoring, finding the main offensive players in Flaccadori and Atkins. Daum keeps Bertram in touch: at halftime the guests lead 43-45.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, the team coached by Ramondino grows in tone in defense and finds high percentage shots - also thanks to offensive rebounds - which are worth the new overtaking. The favorable moment for the Lions extends until the third siren: in the 30th minute the score is 62-57. The last period flows in the name of great balance: neither of the two teams manages to break and this leads to another sprint finish (75-74 with 80 seconds to go). Baskets by Crawford and Spagnolo gave the visitors the lead (77-78) with 8 seconds left. The last Juventus attack is managed by Christon: his basket from midrange is worth the victory and the first point in the series for Bertram.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “The match was very tough, as we expected and as were the previous three that we played against Trento. They make us do many things badly, because they are one of the teams that make their opponents play worse. In the first half we made too many unforced errors, the second however was excellent in relation to the value of the opponent and his strategy. We don't expect anything different for game 2 from the point of view of the type of match: rather than particular adjustments, it is necessary to take the field in two days with presence, toughness and mental strength. Christon is a great player, among the best in the championship: despite not being completely fit physically, he played a great presence in defense and made the decisive play to win the match. The fans' applause when I entered the pitch thrilled me, but it is an applause that must be given to the team and recognition of the work done for almost nine months of the season spent together.".
