The squalid epilogue of the recent Trapani basketball epic leads me to think and remember what was, at the end of the last century, the first true Sicilian basketball epic. There are two matches that deserve to be passed down to the fans of this troubled time full of heroic fury and lacerating bitterness.
Trapani, even then, had risen to A 1 after just a year of A 2 and after seven consecutive defeats in the top flight, with zero points in the standings, they found themselves playing the match at the Palaeur in Rome against the Messaggero of the billionaire patron Raul Gardini and players of the level of Radja and Mahorn. Well, Messaggero’s defense failed and Trapani won the first two points in Serie A 1 at the Palaeur in Rome: (Piazza 21 points; Radja 10) Trapani’s deserved success led to the immediate removal of coach Valerio Bianchini who was replaced by Di Fonzo. And Di Fonzo, from the match in Trapani in the second round, hoped to recover the two points lost at the Palaeur, but Trapani won again, in extra time, arousing the jubilation of the packed Palagranata.
The other match is that of Trapani against the powerful Philips of Milan on 2 February 1992. Andrea Castellano’s comment describes the match which, shortly before the end, split into two matches. Here is the comment verbatim: The past few years in Trapani produce little, the disadvantage grows with each passing minute and the positive notes come from the newfound verve of Cassì, who is not afraid of penetrating an area presided over by giants. But it’s not over yet, in fact from the 14th minute another match begins, Piazza against Philips. The playmaker scores three bombs, with one entry he brings the team to within 8, on the other side Milan doesn’t seem to believe it and the usual Riva, from the line, re-establishes the distance. But Piazza hasn’t finished his show yet: he scores another three, 72-79, then the insect is hit full on by the giant’s blow, and Trapani’s dreams of glory vanish. (Plaza 20; Dawkins 14).
They vanish amidst the thunderous applause of an audience elated at seeing the show. And that epic was crowned by the election of President Garraffa to the Senate of the Republic. Every reference to current events is entrusted to multiple considerations.
Marsala, Elio Piazza
