Viagrande, Sicily – In a closely contested battle at the top of the Serie B standings, Cofa mineraria Pallacanestro Viagrande secured a crucial 61-60 victory over San Matteo on Sunday. The win, played at the PalaTomarchio, strengthens Viagrande’s position in the league as the regular season progresses.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip-off, with both teams trading baskets throughout the first quarter. Melita, Raffaele, and Arigò initially established a lead for San Matteo, but Chorna, Spampinato, and Bosio quickly responded for Viagrande. A three-pointer from Laine gave San Matteo a slight edge (8-9), but the quarter ended with a narrow 16-15 lead for the hosts.
The second quarter saw San Matteo extend their advantage with consecutive three-pointers from Laine and Ingrassia, pushing the score to 21-26. Though, Viagrande rallied with an 8-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from captain Spampinato, to regain the lead and head into halftime with a 29-26 advantage.
Viagrande continued to build momentum at the start of the third quarter, increasing their lead to six points with another three-pointer from Spampinato (36-30). San Matteo fought back, with Laine and Cascio narrowing the gap. Chorna then extended Viagrande’s lead with a three-pointer of her own (40-36), but an effective combination of Cascio and Morabito allowed San Matteo to regain the lead (40-43). Spampinato’s free throws and a basket from Bosio brought Viagrande back in front, ending the third quarter with a 44-43 score.
The final quarter proved to be a nail-biter. Chorna, who was named the MVP of the match with 20 points, capitalized on her free throw opportunities, giving Viagrande a 47-43 lead. Renata Melita kept San Matteo within striking distance with a crucial three-pointer (53-52). Both teams struggled from the free-throw line in the closing minutes. Jaworska and Lo Certo attempted to create separation for Viagrande, but Raffaele answered with a three-pointer and two successful free throws, tying the game at 57-57 with just 16 seconds remaining.
Raffaele then gave San Matteo a late lead with a “2+1” play, but Katarzyna Jaworska proved to be the hero for Viagrande, securing a crucial basket under the basket with just eight seconds left on the clock, sealing the 61-60 victory.
Following the game, Viagrande coach Giuseppe Guadalupi commented on the intense matchup. “It was a balanced and intense game, as I think our next games with them will be,” Guadalupi said. “We know each other by heart now. They know how we play and put us in difficulty with a good defense, and we do the same to them. This means balanced games and low scores, with defenses often prevailing. Today was a particularly tactical game, with changes and adjustments on both sides. We managed the last quarter well, with a few avoidable errors. The last inbound play gave us the opportunity to gain the ball to Katarzyna Jaworska and score those critical two points. We will almost certainly see our rivals in the playoffs, which, if they reflect what we’ve seen in the regular season, will replay this clash in the final. So, You can expect two or three more battles.”
Box Score:
COFA MINERARIA PALL. VIAGRANDE – SAN MATTEO 61-60
VIAGRANDE: Chorna 20; Lo Certo 9; Spampinato 12; Rizzo; Sahin; Bosio 9; Jaworska 8; Roccasalvo 3. Coach: Giuseppe Guadalupi.
SAN MATTEO: Morabito 5; Minutoli; Shavel; Laine 18; Ingrassia 5; Raffaele 12; Vinci; Cascio 8; Arigò 2; Melita 10; Costantino. Coach: Simona Grillo.
Partial Scores: 16-15; 29-26; 44-43.
Referees: Fulvio Vasta and Federico Puglisi.
This victory is significant for Viagrande as they continue their pursuit of the top spot in the Serie B standings. The team’s ability to perform under pressure, highlighted by Jaworska’s game-winning basket, demonstrates their resilience and potential for a deep playoff run. For San Matteo, the loss is a setback, but their strong performance indicates they will remain a formidable opponent throughout the remainder of the season.
The Serie B Sicilian league continues to be a competitive landscape, with teams battling for playoff positioning. Fans can expect more intense matchups as the regular season draws to a close. The next confirmed game for both teams is yet to be announced, but updates will be available through official league channels.
What are your thoughts on this thrilling Serie B matchup? Share your opinions in the comments below!
