UNA Hotels Reggio Emilia, after the victory in Udine and the success (qualifying passage to the quarter-finals) in the FIBA Europe Cup against Cedevita Junior, hosts Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù, fresh from the defeat against Brescia.
Where to see it: Sunday 25 January 2026 at 6.00 pm, LBATV
Referees: Lorenzo Baldini, Carmelo Lo Guzzo, Matteo Lucotti
THE PRECEDENTS
There are 55 precedents between the teams, with Cantù ahead 30-25 overall while Reggio Emilia leads 18-8 in matches played at home.
THE GONE
The two teams have already faced each other this season in the lunch match of the 2nd day, dating back to Sunday 12 October 2025, when Acqua S.Bernardo won 83-78 thanks to the decisive contribution in the final part of De Nicolao (9 points) and Bortolani (17 points) and the important contribution of Ajayi (14 points).
THE COACHES
Dimitris Priftis is ahead 2-1 in the previous matches against Walter De Raffaele.
THE ABSENT
UNA Hotels Reggio Emilia – Kwan Cheatham is out due to a flare-up of bone edema.
THE EX
S.Bernardo Cantù water – Andrea De Nicolao completed two seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017) at Pallacanestro Reggiana, winning an Italian Super Cup (2015) and reaching a Scudetto final (Milan won 4-2 in 2016).
THE STATEMENTS
Dimitris Priftis, coach UNA Hotels Reggio Emilia: “It will be an important match for both. Cantù is a team that never gives up, as demonstrated by the fact that they have lost the last few matches in final possessions. The additions of Green and Chiozza have added scoring and playmaking, while the change of coach will have brought extra motivation from a psychological point of view. We will have to put in the maximum level of energy and attention, we are certainly confident after being unblocked even away from the PalaBigi but precisely for this reason we must not lower our guard. Tactically it will be a different match from the last two, especially below basket where Cantù’s physicality is something to take into consideration.”
Walter De Raffaele, coach Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù: “The Reggio Emilia match will be a difficult match. In this championship, winning away wins is never easy. I expect a match very focused on our team, because, as is normal when there is a change, the focus is above all on our things. Without wanting to disrespect Reggio Emilia, which is a team that is finding its balance, has brought in important players and has brought home excellent victories in the last period. It will be a physical match, in which the presence of rebounding. Two elements which, combined with the control of turnovers, can significantly impact the result. Obviously together with the staff we have studied the opponents well, but this week, having recently arrived, I wanted to give priority to the different concepts that our players will have to learn”.
