Nuova Pallacanestro Marsala conquers two very important points against PGS Sales, winning 75-66 in a match that marks the beginning of the Poule Salvation with a long-awaited sign of solidity. After weeks of abstinence from success, the Lilibetans showed maturity, dissolving the initial tension and maintaining consistency for all 40 minutes against a tough and tireless opponent.
Progress of the Race
The start was the most complicated moment for Marsala: coach Giuseppe Grillo’s boys entered the field tense, with cold hands and some hasty choices which allowed PGS Sales to keep up and even create a small gap. The guests, a physical and aggressive team, ran from the first possession, taking advantage of quick transitions and a suffocating defense to limit NPM’s first offensive actions. However, already at the end of the first quarter, Marsala began to unlock: more patience in attack, with the ball moving better, and a couple of key recoveries overturned the inertia, closing on +6 and preparing the ground for the following break. In the second quarter NPM gained confidence, raising the defensive intensity and finding rhythm on the counterattack. PGS tried to respond blow for blow, with decisive penetrations and shots from the perimeter, but the hosts responded with timely help in the area and control of the scoreboard, limiting the opponents’ second shots. This balance characterized the fraction, with Marsala stretching slightly thanks to a more fluid rotation and precious minutes off the bench, avoiding lapses in concentration. The interval arrived with a less than reassuring margin and with the knowledge that PGS would not give up easily. The second half saw PGS going all out: by accelerating the pace, the guests brought the teams closer together, running for 40 minutes as per their trademark and trying to exploit every distraction. Marsala, however, withstood the blow with great solidity, countering every attempt at a comeback thanks to an excellent collective defense and prudent choices in attack. Here the decisive contribution of the bench emerged: in a not very brilliant evening for the scorer Justas, Tumminia gave physical energy, the Patti brothers tightened their defense with crucial recoveries, and Mercogliano made an impact with athleticism under the scoreboards. These additions made it possible to keep the intensity high without drops, transforming potential moments of fragility into opportunities. In the last quarter, NPM managed with mastery: high defense to force errors, quick transitions and patience in possession extended the lead, closing without a jolt a match that could have gotten out of hand. PGS fought until the end, deserving applause for their tenacity, but Marsala demonstrated consistency, responding blow for blow and leaving no openings.
The words of Andrea Anteri, NPM assistant coach
“We needed to start well. This victory boosts morale. The bench also proved to be valid, making available everything they had in the minutes they played. Now, however, we have to reset everything, clear our heads and prepare for the away match in Gravina which will be tough.” This statement summarizes the essence of the match: a team victory that instils confidence, but immediately invites concentration for the future challenges in Poule Salvezza.
