Precise and solid, the Derthona impacts the series
Bertram Derthona-Umana Reyer Venice 70-58
(14-14, 30-25, 57-42)
Scoreboards:
Derthona: Mortellaro ne, Wright 9, Cannon 6, Tavernelli, Filloy 7, Mascolo 9, Cattapan ne, Severini, Sanders 20, Daum 9, Cain 4, Macura 6. Coach Ramondino
Venice: Stone 3, Bramos 4, Tonut 30, De Nicolao 3, Echodas, Morgan 1, Mazzola, Brooks 2, Theodore 2, Cerella 2, Vitali 3, Watt 8. All. De Raffaele
A high-level performance on both sides of the pitch, in front of a participating crowd, is worth a draw in the series. The team coached by Ramondino chased only in the initial stages, before taking command of the pace and the score, expanding their margin in a second half conducted with authority. Thursday 19 May at 20pm at PalaTaliercio the third act of an intense and physical series.
Balance on the pitch at the PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris in the first half: after the favorable start in Venice, Derthona finds choral solutions first to shorten and then to equalize at 14 at the end with Cannon's basket. In the second period the Bianconeri increase the intensity of their defense, limiting Reyer's attack, and overtake, ending the first half ahead 30-25.
Upon returning from the locker room, Bertram fuels the favorable moment pushed by Sanders, who starts an important break that is worth the double-digit advantage. This margin is expanded by a great defense, which allows the Bianconeri to end the quarter ahead 57-42. In the last quarter, Derthona reached +17 (63-46), playing continuously and resisting Venezia's attempts to return in the following minutes, achieving a brilliant success: at the siren it was 70-58.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “We are very happy to have shown that we are also competitive in the playoffs. The difference between the championship and playoff matches in not making mistakes is high, this match should make us proud of our ability to raise our level of play. In attack we moved the ball, had pace and built good three-point shots, in defense we placed the focus on the mistakes of game 1 not to be repeated and on the ability to change in the last seconds of the action against a team that tried to lower the pace and finish at the end of the 24 seconds. We need to improve some mistakes, resist contact and be stronger with the ball when we are in the area to shoot more than eleven free throws. In game 1 we missed small things, against opponents of this level it is difficult to find energy when you are punished. I believe it is important to win in the playoffs because it is a concrete result. The image of our team for four years has been one in which everyone is involved and has a role, despite not having the same number of shots: everyone's contribution is important and the strengths of our boys are the courage of the individual and the ability of everyone to file something in favor of the team. We must look at Venice with the desire to fill the gap and imitate them: certainly in terms of continuity they are the best team of the last five years. They play hard, they have a great coach, they know how to win: due to the difficulties of the context, the opponent, the tiredness and the demands that the players will have to withstand, it will be important not to lose our character, expressing ourselves in our own way to the best of our ability.".
