CANTÙ, Italy – Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù delivered a commanding performance, defeating Guerri Napoli 94-77 on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the PalaDesio. The victory, fueled by superior shooting and defensive pressure, could prove pivotal as both teams navigate the final stretch of the 2025-2026 Serie A Unipol basketball season. The win was made even more significant by Treviso’s loss to Varese, moving Cantù closer to playoff contention.
Cantù’s success stemmed from a more efficient shooting display – 64% from two-point range compared to Napoli’s 48% – and a strong presence in the paint, registering six blocked shots. The game marked the 22nd round of the Serie A championship.
First Quarter: Bortolani Sets the Tone
Coach Cesare De Raffaele started with Février, Chiozza, Bortolani, Sneed, and Ballo for Cantù. Alessandro Magro countered with Bolton, El-Amin, Flagg, Whaley, and Totè for Napoli. Totè opened the scoring with a rebound and basket, giving Napoli an early 3-7 lead. However, Cantù quickly responded, spearheaded by a sharp-shooting Bortolani, who scored 10 points in the first quarter. A three-pointer from Marshall halted a 9-0 Cantù run, but Okeke finished the quarter with a basket on an assist from Green, leaving the score at 20-16 in favor of the hosts.
Second Quarter: Cantù Extends the Lead
Green helped Cantù extend their advantage to six points early in the second quarter. Napoli managed to stay within striking distance, benefiting from alley-oops from El-Amin to Flagg and Totè. Ballo converted a rebound into two points, prompting a timeout from the Napoli bench with the score at 37-29. A concerning development for Napoli saw their starting center commit his third foul. Chiozza then scored, but Bolton answered with a free throw, sending both teams into halftime with Cantù leading 41-33.
Third Quarter: Cantù Pulls Away
Cantù came out strong in the third quarter, quickly building a 15-point lead with a powerful finish from Février. Napoli attempted to rally, relying on the playmaking of El-Amin, who scored eight consecutive points for his team, cutting the deficit to 58-49 with a three-pointer. However, Cantù responded with a 9-0 run, led by six points from Green, including a four-point play, pushing their lead to 18 points.
Fourth Quarter: Late Surge Not Enough for Napoli
Napoli mounted a brief comeback, closing the gap to six points with a series of free throws from Caruso. Moraschini halted Napoli’s momentum with a three-pointer, and further free throws from Treier and Bolton brought them within striking distance. However, Cantù captain Bortolani drew an unsportsmanlike foul from El-Amin and then converted a three-pointer, restoring a comfortable margin at 78-64. Bortolani’s late basket extended the lead to 17, and Sneed’s free throws sealed the victory at 94-77.
El-Amin led Napoli in scoring with 21 points, followed by Totè with 19 and Caruso with 11. For Cantù, Bortolani led the way with 17 points, whereas Février contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds, Sneed added 13, Green scored 12, and Moraschini finished with 10.
What’s Next for Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù?
Acqua S.Bernardo Cantù will travel to face Bertram Derthona in their next Serie A matchup. The date and time of that game have not yet been announced, but details will be available on the official Serie A Unipol website. This upcoming contest presents another opportunity for Cantù to solidify their position in the league standings and continue their push for a playoff berth.
The win over Napoli is a significant boost for Cantù, especially considering their recent struggles. The team will necessitate to maintain this level of performance as they head into a challenging stretch of games. For Guerri Napoli, this loss marks their sixth consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their playoff hopes. Coach Magro’s position is reportedly under increasing scrutiny, with internal evaluations underway within the club.
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