Pallacanestro Varese and BC Roma are set to face off in the final of the Trofeo Basilicata after securing hard-fought victories during the opening day of the tournament at PalaSassi in Matera, according to regional sports reporting.
The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, with tip-off set for 19:00 local time (CET). Fans can watch the action via a live streaming broadcast on the official YouTube channel of TRM Network, which is also accessible on Sky channel 519, as reported by local outlets.
Varese Outlasts Napoli in a 102-98 Preseason Thriller
Pallacanestro Varese punched its ticket to the title game by overcoming Napoli Basketball 102-98 in an offensive showcase during the tournament’s first semifinal. The victory marks the third preseason win for Varese’s Openjobmetis squad as the team builds chemistry ahead of the upcoming regular season.
Varese built early momentum behind strong perimeter shooting, establishing a 23-35 lead by the end of the opening quarter. Hale led the charge with a game-high 27 points, while teammate Nikolic added 12 points. Napoli mounted a fierce second-half comeback, slicing the deficit down to two points in the third period behind 20 points from Seljaas and 15 points from Spissu. However, Varese relied on timely scoring from Isaiah Roby—who finished with 11 points in his club debut—to hold off the late charge and seal the four-point victory.
BC Roma Stuns Scafati on Mannion Free Throws
In the evening’s second matchup, newcomer BC Roma authored a stunning comeback to defeat Longobardi Scafati 93-92. Roma, a newly established capital club that acquired its sporting title from Cremona, erased a 17-deficit at halftime before securing the win at the free-throw line.
Nico Mannion proved decisive in the clutch, sinking two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to cap the dramatic rally. The victory earned Roma the right to challenge Varese for the Trofeo Basilicata crown.
Roster Management and Injury Updates Ahead of the Final
Both finalists enter Sunday’s title clash managing minor injuries and rotation workloads. Varese played without Amedeo Della Valle, who was held out as a precaution due to right leg muscle fatigue and associated knee swelling. Varese coach Ioannis Kastritis and athletic trainer Silvio Barnaba planned to evaluate player conditions following Sunday morning’s shootaround before finalizing their game-day rotation.
Varese also managed the minutes of William McDowell-White—who returned from his own recent muscle fatigue to play 15 limited minutes against Napoli—alongside Matteo Librizzi, who logged 19 minutes in his return to the floor.
Sunday’s final gets underway at 19:00 CEST at PalaSassi in Matera, with broadcast coverage provided across TRM Network platforms.
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