There Basketball School Messina goes even beyond its limits, surpassing for the second time in the season at PalaTracuzzi theOrlandina, in game 2 of the play-off quarter-finals for promotion to National B. The Paladins had an excellent start, lethal from long range (5/7) and led at halftime 40-44. In the second half, however, the defense of the Peloritani was decisive, conceding just six points in the third quarter. In the final, after slipping to -11, Orlandina took advantage of its quality and repeatedly missed the triple of the possible overtime. The paladins will try to catch up Jasaitis for the “beautiful”, to be faced with the help of one’s audience, which has always been an added value.
Giancarlo Favali in the line (photo Carmen Spina)
The news. The guests got off to an excellent start, with Messina coming back to overtake at 12-11. For Orlandina an excellent 4/4 from three and the 2+1 d Favali (guest top scorer) is worth 14-21, with Sidoti calling a time-out. The score is much higher than in game 1, won 68-63 by the Bolignano team. The fifth triple of the quarter, signed by Caridà, for an excellent 5/7 overall, it’s worth +7 at the first siren (17-24).
After the +9 comes five consecutive points from Busco for the 22-26. Five points in a row Moltrasio they immediately reestablish the distances (22-31). Sidoti closes to -3 (28-31) but Favali’s triple is immediate. Sidoti launches Caruso, who scores the -1 from the corner (33-34). Buldo and Tartaglia score the double draw (38-38). Caridà and Palermo nullify the long run-up (38-44). We go to halftime at 40-44.
The Basket School Messina lined up before the start (photo Giovanni Mazzullo)
Between the second and third quarters Of God (who will close at 24) scores six consecutive points for the new tie at 44. Orlandina is ahead again with two baskets from Palermo, which will be the only ones for nine minutes. Physicality increases, percentages decrease. Labovic and Buldo signed the first real overtaking at 51-48, giving rise to repeated protests from the guests. Sidoti scores the maximum advantage with a triple and the help of the scoreboard (54-48). An unsanctioned foul on Di Dio, tripled by the Paladin defense, costs Sidoti the technical.
Despite two missed free throws by Yeyap, Messina scored an incredible run of 17-4, taking advantage of Orlandina’s offensive difficulties. Penultimate siren preceded by Di Dio’s basket for 59-50. The discordant note is the knee injury of Janic, carried back to the bench by his teammates. Sidoti therefore sees rotations reduced. Di Dio, fed by Tartaglia, finds the +11 from below (61-50). Messina continues to defend very strongly and the score remains blocked. Yeyap commits two fouls in succession, Palermo breaks the deadlock and Orlandina raises the intensity in defense a lot, then also finding Gatti’s triple (62-56). Marini and Gatti find -3 from underneath, completely reopening the match two minutes from the siren (63-60).
Palermo also in double figures (photo Carmen Spina)
Still Cats converts an offensive rebound by returning Yeyap’s free throws. Di Dio stops Caridà’s possible equalizer and Messina wins the throw-in 8″ from the end. Yeyap misses two very heavy free throws which give the Paladins fundamental possession 4″ from the siren. Palermo doesn’t find the basket and Messina wins, sweating a lot for the great return of Favali and his teammates. Everything will be decided on Wednesday.
Basket School Messina – Infodrive Orlandina 65-52
Partials: 17-24, 40-44 (23-20), 59-50 (19-6), 6-12.
Messina: Caruso 3, Labovic 3, Di Dio 24, Contaldo ne, Tartaglia 9, Vujic 1, Buldo 6, Sidoti E. 3, Busco 9, Janic 3, Yeyap 4. Coach: Pippo Sidoti.
Orlandina: Moltrasio 6, Agbortabi, Mentonelli, Mascherpa ne, Favali 16, Palermo 11, Marini 9, Douglas Marini, Caridà 10, Gatti 10. Coach: Domenico Bolignano.
