A new winning sprint for Bertram, who wins the match and the series: now the challenge against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the semi-final
Dolomiti Energia Trentino-Bertram Derthona 81-82
(27-19, 39-44, 59-70)
Scoreboards:
Trento: Conti, Spagnolo 23, Forray 12, Zanghieri ne, Flaccadori 9, Udom 13, Dell'Anna ne, Crawford 2, Ladurner, Grazulis 17, Atkins 5, Lockett. All. Molin
Derthona: Christon 21, Mortellaro ne, Candi 6, Tavernelli, Filloy, Severini, Harper 9, Daum 20, Cain 9, Radošević 6, Macura 11, Filoni ne. All. Ramondino
It will be the semifinal again against Virtus Segafredo Bologna for Bertram Derthona, who conquers the BLM Group Arena in Trento at the end of a match that was dominated by scores for large stretches but in which neither of the two teams was able to place the decisive push until the final moments. Dolomiti Energia, an opponent of great value and quality, comes back several times, even overtaking in the last quarter. Here, the coldness of the Lions in the final stages is decisive for success.
Complex first quarter for Bertram, who suffered the presence and intensity of Trento: the plays of Udom, Grazulis and Spagnolo led the home team to the lead at 27-19 in the 10th minute. At the start of the second half, Derthona raises the level of its defense and finds good fluidity in attack: with a partial of 1-12, the team coached by Ramondino overtakes (28-31 at 15'). It is the gusts of Daum and Macura - in sequence - that fuel the favorable moment for the Lions, before the partial return of the home team: at halftime it is 39-44.
Upon returning from the locker room, Bertram tries to place the decisive shot, finding Christon and Cain as the finalizers of the plays that make it 47-59 in the 24th minute. In the final stages of the period, Trento tries to close the gap, but Derthona responds blow for blow and at the third siren they are ahead 59-70. Baskets from Spagnolo and Udom bring Dolomiti Energia closer in the initial phase of the last quarter: the 11-1 break in the first three minutes makes it 70-71 in the 34th minute. The team coached by Molin then scores the match at 76 (in the 36th minute) with Udom's triple, thus creating a new sprint finish between the two teams. The last actions are exciting, we witness overtaking and counter-overtaking, up to 81-82 scored by Christon's free throws 20 seconds from the end. Trento's last offensive possession is in the hands of Spagnolo, who is fouled and makes 0/2 on free throws: the rebounding fight rewards the home team, who however do not score. Bertram thus reaches the playoff semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
Thus coach Marco Ramondino at the end of the race: “Another very tough match as we expected, so we must be really proud of having legitimized the passage to the next round by winning away. In the two races in Trento there was an extraordinary atmosphere, of great support and support for the team. On a technical level we struggled in attack, before taking a lead as good as in game 3. At that moment, even more than in game 3, Trento made some great plays to get back into the game and take the lead. All these aspects must make us happy and put us in the perspective of approaching the semi-final for the second consecutive year.".
