Derthona fought until the end, but it wasn't enough: Venice won 89-83 and advanced to the next round.
Umana Reyer Venice – Bertram Derthona Tortona 89-83
(23-23, 48-40, 68-66)
Venice: Tessitori 13, Cole 27, Horton 8, Lever 3, De Nicolao NE, Candi 3, Bowman 10, Wheatle 3, Janelidze NE, Parks 9, Witljer 3, Valentine 10. All. Spahija.
Tortona: Vital 6, Hubb 11, Gorham 16, Manjon 9, Pecchia 2, Chapman, Tandia NE, Baldasso 18, Strautins 13, Olejniczak 8, Biligha, Riismaa NE All. Fioretti.
Referees: Lanzarini of Bologna, Gonella of Genoa, Valzani of Taranto.
Game 5 of the quarterfinals between Umana Reyer Venezia and Bertram Derthona Tortona was a fitting conclusion to a spectacular series, decided only in the final moments at the Palasport Taliercio. Neven Spahija's team prevailed 89-83 and advanced to the semifinals, but the Bianconeri fought until the end.
The superlative performances of Tommaso Baldasso, who finished as Bertram's top scorer with 18 points, and of Justin Gorham (16 points with 6/6 two-pointers) and Arturs Strautins, who came close to a double-double with 13 points and 8 rebounds, were not enough for the black and whites.
Reyer Venezia wins Game 5 and advances to the next round
Justin Gorham's Game 5 started off strong, hitting his signature stepback from midrange and earning a 2-1 lead on a drive. Venice, buoyed by their home crowd, was led by RJ Cole's 18 points in the first quarter, while Mario Fioretti's team managed to stay on top of the game by attacking the basket with authority. After ten minutes, the score was tied at 23-23 at Taliercio.
In the second quarter, the home team attempted to break away with a 14-0 run that seemed to drive Bertram crazy, but the Bianconeri's streak was interrupted by a clutch three-pointer from Prentiss Hubb in the corner. The Bianconeri responded in the best possible way and fell back to within a single possession (35-32), but Amedeo Tessitori restored Reyer's lead to a double-digit lead. At halftime, Venice led 48-40.
Ezra Manjon's high-level streak continued after leaving the locker room, with eight straight points—including a putback dunk—that forced Reyer to call a timeout at 53-48. Arturs Strautins also entered the game, with a layup from the Latvian bringing the score to 59-57 with 4:20 left. Captain Baldasso fired up at the end of the third quarter, and the score went into the final ten minutes at 68-66 Reyer.
The fourth quarter was dominated by tension, with neither team able to create a gap between them. Baldasso's second overtime period continued with a jumper that brought the score to within 1 (75-74) with 4:50 to play, but Venice responded once again, forcing Coach Fioretti to call a timeout. Baldasso was unstoppable and hit yet another three-pointer from the corner to bring the Bianconeri within 2 (85-83) with under a minute to play, but it wasn't enough. Reyer won and advanced to the semifinals.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ciamillo-Castoria
