Sabatini show at Palabanca: Assigeco Piacenza triumphs over Vanoli Cremona thanks to the basket on the siren

UCC Assigeco Piacenza – Vanoli Basket Cremona 75-74 (23 – 18, 25-18, 9-17, 18-21) – Sabatini delivers the victory to UCC Assigeco Piacenza at the end of a breathtaking match against Vanoli Basket Cremona. The visiting team galvanized by the victory in the derby against Juvi a few days ago, while the hosts come from a narrow defeat after the convincing performance at Blu Basket Treviglio. For the biancorossoblu it was the second difficult match in this complicated Supercoppa journey, but the good feelings of the Treviglio match were also overcome in this great test of character by the boys of coach Stefano Salieri. Now head to Saturday for the last match of the triptych in the home match against Juvi Cremona, in a match that could prove decisive for the passage to the next round.

FIRST FOUR – The game opens with a top 10 play by the Sabatini-Skeens duo, with the former breaking a double and serving the American center with a pass behind his back for a two-handed dunk. For the Vanoli line comes the prompt response of Denegri from three, forgotten by the white and red defense. Captain Sabatini serves two more assists in the next two actions, first by drawing the cut of Pascolo and then serving Miaschi out of the blocks. The free throw by Miaschi himself and the triple by Nemanja Gajic force Vanoli to the first timeout on a score of 11-3 for the hosts. Upon returning to the field, the former Piccoli thinks about sending a basket to the target from behind the arc, but Gajic still responds with the same coin. Skeens shows off his technical skills by correcting Sabatini’s inaccurate layup at the basket and unloading Pascolo shortly after after a series of movements from the post. Mobio, Cannon and Caroti sign a 7-0 run for Cremona, but Sabatini takes the last shot of the first quarter and hits an eight-meter triple. Nice game and teams on 23-18 in favor of Assigeco.

SECOND FOUR – The second part of the game opens with Mobio’s and-1 playing the big voice in the painting. Piacenza’s prompt reply with Miaschi converting with a triple from the corner after yet another assist to Sabatini’s kiss. Just the capiano dell’Assigeco takes the team on his shoulders: he signs a basket on the counterattack after a stolen ball against Caroti, scores Morgillo in a pick & roll, scores two triples and closes a left-handed pad after a dribble behind the back from applause. Already 13 points in the first two quarters for the n ° 5 biancorossoblu, who also adds 8 assists and many spectacular plays. Assigeco continues to play on the wave of enthusiasm: Querci scores and is fouled after another counterattack, sending the team to the maximum advantage of the match at 45-28. Last possession for Vanoli, Gallo starts a left-handed prayer from the midfield and the basketball gods respond favorably: great basket on the siren and teams at rest at 48-36.

THIRD FOURTH – First possessions of good workmanship for Assigeco: Skeens serves Miaschi for a basket from the perimeter, Sabatini converts a left-handed layup a few seconds later. Cannon and Mobio bring Cremona closer together, taking advantage of a few minutes of offensive blackout for the hosts. Denegri and Alibegovic raise the engine revs and finally bring Vanoli back to the game with baskets. Skeens gives some oxygen by crushing in the open field and scoring on the assist of Soviero, who entered to give Sabatini a few minutes of rest. Bad news for the team of coach Salieri when Skeens is hit in the head in an attempt to recover a loose ball: the center remains on the ground in pain and must leave the field to allow the medicaments, leaving room for Morgillo’s return to the field. After the two out of two from Alibegovic’s line, Vanoli would also have the last shot of the fourth, but Caroti’s triple does not find the same luck as Gallo’s attempt at the end of the previous quarter. The Assigeco thus faces the last ten minutes ahead for 57 – 53.

FOURTH BEDROOM – Denegri puts in six consecutive points for his with two shots from the arc and for the first time since the opening minutes Vanoli finds herself leading the match for 57-59. Soviero immediately postpones the match in a draw with a circus basket and shortly after Querci signs the +3 from behind the arc. Denegri hits another three-point basket, preventing the hosts from extending the lead, but Querci scores again and puts his team back on 69-64 with just over three minutes left. An excellent Soviero sits on the bench in favor of captain Sabatini, sent back to the field by Salieri for this important final match. The No. 5 is immediately felt by going to the basket from behind the arc and Assigeco leading by six points just over two minutes from the end of the match. First Cannon shortens the distance, then the former Piccoli takes care of bringing Vanoli back to -1 with a triple of enormous importance. Possession Assigeco, but Miaschi and Querci mess and give Mobio the two easiest points of his game. Only 12 seconds on the clock and the last ball in the hands of Sabatini, who penetrates towards the basket and lets off a magnificent bell shot on the siren. Retina moving and Palabanca in raptures, with Assigeco taking home the victory with a score of 75-74.

“I am very happy with the performance of my players, – said coach Salieri – I congratulate them because they have put a lot on the pitch in terms of energy and quality of play, especially in the first two quarters. In the end we brought out the desire to win. I am comforted by the fact that the team already has a strong identity: Assigeco is already a team that defends aggressively and that verticalizes all actions, we must continue to work in this direction. At the end there was a bit of fatigue, but the guys on the pitch were good at reacting. Winning helps you win, increases self-esteem and builds confidence. They are working excellently, I am very proud of them and I can’t wait to include Kameron next week “

STATISTICS
UCC Assigeco Piacenza: Gherardo Sabatini 21 (8/11, 4/5), Nemanjia Gajic 8 (3/6, 2/4), Brady Skeens 11 (5/7, 0/0), Jacopo Soviero 2 (1/1 ), Federico Miaschi 9 (3/10, 2/8), Lorenzo Varaschini (0/0), Lorenzo Querci 12 (4/5, 3/4), Davide Pascolo 10 (4/8, 0/0), Alessandro Morgillo 2 (1/3, 0/0), Matteo Gherardini NE, Giorgio Franceschi NE, Milos Joksimovic NE
Coach: Stefano Salieri (assistants: Fabio Farina, Humberto Alejandro Manzo)

Vanoli Basket Cremona: Paul Eboua 0 (0/0), Filippo Gallo 3 (1/2, 1/1), Jalen Cannon 13 (6/6, 0/0), Mirza Alibegovic 5 (1/6, 1/6 ), Lorenzo Caroti 6 (2/8, 2/7), Davide Denegri 21 (7/16, 5/12), Trevor Lacey 4 (0/8, 0/5), Matteo Piccoli 6 (2/3, 2 / 3), Joseph Mobio 16 (5/9, 2/5), Tommaso Vecchiola NE, Kevin Ndzie NE
Coach: Demis Cavina (assistants: Pierluigi Brotto, Carlo Campigotto)