Bertram Derthona gives way to Fortitudo Agrigento
BERTRAM DERTHONA – FORTITUDO AGRIGENTO 85 – 88
(29-22, 55-42, 72-66)
BERTRAM DERTHONA: Meluzzi 3, Stefanelli 5, Sorokas 21, Radonjic 4, Divac 3, Quaglia 7, Garri 15, Mei 3, Johnson 17, Spanghero 7 All. Pansa.
FORTITUDO AGRIGENTO: Savoca ne, Cannon 4, Zugno 4, Evangelisti 24, Cuffaro ne, Williams 19, Ambrosin 13, Guariglia 5, Pepe 19, Lovisotto All. Ciani.
VOGHERA. Bertram Derthona gave way 85 to 88 to a Fortitudo Agrigento team that appeared more cynical in a point-to-point match finale that had previously been played with courage and determination after having been behind for a long time by double figures even during the third quarter. Crucial for Moncada without the former Rotondo were the baskets of an excellent Evangelisti, of a concrete Williams, author of the two consecutive bombs which earned them the overtaking, and above all the points from the bench by Pepe and Ambrosin. Derthona knew how to excite a PalaOltrepo' enriched by the presence of the main sponsor Beniamino Gavio, they led for a long time, without however managing to close the score during the second half. Only to then suffer the inexorable comeback from the guests, who haven't made a single mistake since the 80-80 with which they entered the last two final minutes.
The news. The two quintets play at a very high pace. After just five minutes played the two teams have already scored 18 points overall. The first five minutes are of absolute balance with Sorokas and Garri responding to Zugno and Guariglia. What could be defined with Chinese thought as yin and yang is broken by the distance of seven meters, with Johnson, Meluzzi and Mei, and by the posts of Francesco Quaglia, author of 5 points so far, signing the first important break for the black and white. The first quarter thus ends 29 to 22 for Bertram Derthona. With 1′ 32″ left in the second period, the Lions found themselves with a 16-point lead. The points don't take long to arrive even from the bench; at half-time all ten players scored, demonstrating good offensive and defensive solidity. Sorokas (12 points), Garri (10 points) and Johnson (10 points) have already reached double figures. Bertram Derthona shows infinite determination, carried right into the final stages of the game by the Lithuanian Sorokas who confirms himself in excellent form. The teams thus go to halftime with a score of 55-42 for the home team. Coach Ciani's quintet returns to the Voghera parquet with a different attitude. Moncada knows how to hurt transitions; Evangelisti and Ambrosin close the gap. The blue and white captain manages to score the triple almost at the siren. The guests thus managed to reach the final stage with a score of 72 to 66. Minutes passed and the teams found themselves increasingly evenly matched. Pepe and Williams provide the long-awaited overtaking for the visiting fans with triples. Spanghero, in the following action, on a restart triggered by Evangelisti's wrong shot, finds the equalizer which the scoreboard sets at 80-80. Williams overtakes, Ambrosin extends from three points (80-85), for a minimal gap which Derthona however will not be able to close.
Lorenzo Pansa: “First of all congratulations to Agrigento. This was the most difficult match of the last four and this was demonstrated by the quality with which the opposing team played. For our part, we played an imprecise game, even in the first half we didn't have good fluidity. In the second half we made totally imprecise and totally out-of-rhythm performances and we immediately closed the gap. We had regained control of the game and those bad performances condemned us. At home, we can't afford this. We were the second best defense in the league and the best defense can't concede 88 points at home."
