PLEASE FIRST RING – Old Wild West Udine beats RivieraBanca Rimini in extra time with Alessandro Gentile’s first excellent performance in the black and white shirt: the winger born in ’92 finished with a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, with 5 assists, making all 8 Friulian points in overtime, closed with a run of 8-7 in favor of coach Finetti’s men.
TURN THE ROTA – In the Gesteco Cividale, the fourth consecutive victory, which accomplishes the feat and conquers the PalaDozza of Bologna, a race to remember for Eugenio Rota. The Portogruaro native point guard (1999, 1.78), established his A2 record for points scored, with 24. For him 6 triples scored out of 11, 3 rebounds and 3 fouls drawn. Having to do without Rotnei Clarke (injured) who scored 8 minutes and two minutes in the last 3 games, beating Ravenna, Pistoia and Fortitudo.
GIVE(NS) ME FIVE – Third success in eight days for the E-Gap Stella Azzurra Roma, which conquers the Monferrato field with a second half of 25-45, with the final +9 which overturned the defeat of 4 in the first leg. Absolute protagonist of the Capitoline success Samme Givens: in the absence of the other US Duane Wilson, out due to injury, the winger born in 1989 scored 24 points with 9/18 from the field, with 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 fouls suffered. For him it is the second experience in Serie A2, after the 2020/21 season lived with the Ravenna shirt.
ADRIAN? NAT(IS)LIVE! – Unieuro Forlì wins the regional derby in Ravenna with Nathan Adrian’s best game of the season: missed in two important matches with Pistoia and Turin, the US winger born in ’95 recorded 32 points in 36 minutes, with 14/21 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 5 fouls drawn. The former player from Brindisi had so far a league maximum of 22 points, last October 2, on the first day against Mantova.
IF T-ROD TRIGGERS ANCELLOTTI TOO… – On his return to Italy, Terrence Roderick was immediately decisive in the important success of his Caffè Mokambo Chieti against Staff Mantova: for the US winger born in 1988, in his ninth Italian shirt, 20 points in 33 minutes, with 4/8 at shot and clear path from the line (12/12). Plus 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 9 fouls drawn. Against the Stings, best performance of the season for Andrea Ancellotti (center, 1988), with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 fouls suffered.
PISTOIA, THE RECORD DOUBLE – In addition to the unbeaten home run, Giorgio Tesi Group now matches the season record for triples made: 17, out of 37 attempts (46%) against Nardò. Improving the previous record of 13 (out of 28) also against HDL, in the first leg played in Lecce. In evidence Zach Copeland, 8 heavy baskets on target out of 15, for 31 final points, his maximum in A2: in his first year in Italy the US full-back born in 1997 is traveling to 16.3 points in 26.2 minutes, with 39% from ‘bow.
THE HOTTEST TEAM? TURIN – Beating Treviglio, which boasted the same record, the hottest team in A2 is Reale Mutua Torino, the only one capable of winning the last 5 games played. The series, open, extends to 7 considering the unbeaten run in the league since 18 December, and to 8 including the success in the Italian Cup in Forlì on 12 January.
AND THE COLDEST? – In the Girone Verde, Monferrato and NPC Rieti have not won in the championship for 5 rounds. Who face each other in a direct match at the PalaSojourner on Sunday, consequently one series will close and the other will remain open. While in the Red Group only San Severo is 0-5, which hosts Chieti on Sunday in an equally delicate direct match.
THE STAR HAS COME ON AGAIN – Among the bottom 7 teams in the Green Group and the bottom 7 in the Red Group, Stella Azzurra Roma is the only one with an active record (3-2). Because all other companies have a losing balance sheet. By winning 3 of the last 5 races, and 4 of the last 6, the Blue Star has revived the fight for salvation, even more so if it were to maintain the unbeaten run that has lasted for 3 races, in the next two direct clashes, hosting Juvi Cremona and then in Trapani .
NOW 4 ON THE BENCH – Stefano Comazzi (in place of Andrea Valentini) is the fourth coach to take over in Serie A2. He will make his debut at the helm of Monferrato in the very delicate challenge of Rieti. Before him, changes in Treviglio (Alex Finelli, 10v-2p, for Michele Carrea 2v-2p), Mantua (Nicolas Zanco, 2v-3p, for Giorgio Valli 5v-8p) and Udine (Carlo Finetti 3v-3p considering the interim , for Matteo Boniciolli 8v-3p).
Source: National Basketball League communication area
