Play-in Gold, Virtus Basket Molfetta loses in Capo d’Orlando

DAI Optical Virtus Basket Molfetta wakes up too late and despite an excellent third quarter and a decent last quarter falls under the blows of the home team. Capo d’Orlando wins at home, redeems the defeat of Pala Poli and wins the last match of the Gold Play-in with a result of 92-83. Virtus, however, finishes fourth in the standings behind Orlandina, Ragusa and Salerno.

There were many regrets for the blue and whites after a too soft start against a tough opponent who with their best scorer, Gatti, immediately attacked Virtus. After that same light start seen last week at home against Ragusa, coach Carolillo’s men make the same mistake by going 21 points down. First quarter absolutely to forget for Virtus forced after just over a minute to chase the 5-0 lead. For the blue and white, Paglia scores first with a triple and then Calisi with only one free throw of the three assigned. At 13-4 the moment becomes difficult for the guests who try with great difficulty to get back into the game with Stefanini and Paglia. The Sicilians don’t miss a beat as demonstrated by Gatti’s three consecutive triples which brings his score to +17.

Calisi’s triple and Gloria’s next two points end the first ten minutes of nightmare for Virtus 19 points down at 34-15. The second ten minutes are equally complex for the blue and white. After Calisi, Gloria scores the 20th point for DAI Optical who, however, tries to change the pace of the match despite a significant deficit. At 44-25, Sirakov doesn’t miss the two free throws from the line, while Aramburu allows his players to catch their breath and attempt to climb. It is once again the Spaniard who scores two more points for Virtus which closes the second quarter at 53-34 in favor of Capo d’Orlando. In the third quarter, something you don’t expect happens. The hosts drop noticeably, while Virtus Molfetta returns from the long break with a totally different attitude. Aramburu scores the triple to make it -18 and shortly afterwards returns to close the gap on the Sicilians again with a three-point bomb. Virtus increases the percentage of three-point shots and scores again with Calisi with the distances shortening to 9 points.

In the middle, Capo d’Orlando’s mini break returns to score points with the usual Gatti, thus allowing the hosts to gain another important advantage at 69-55. Virtus’ response was immediate, so much so that the final quarter was all white and blue. In the last minute and a half of the game, Gloria scored and then with two triples, first Paglia and then Sirakov who reopened the match at 70-63 at the end of the third quarter. From -19 to -7, Infodrive Orlandina squandered their advantage and even went behind halfway through the last quarter. With two free throws made, Calisi brings Virtus to 3 and holds off the Sicilian reaction with Stefanini and Gloria. The blue and white’s first advantage arrived shortly thereafter and was signed by Andrea Calisi who, with a triple, made it 75-76. Virtus also moves to +3 over their opponents, but the advantage, however, does not last very long: Capo d’Orlando does not disunite and makes positive use of all the opportunities available. Two consecutive triples from the home team broke the legs of the blue and whites who had to surrender with a score of 92-83. Capo d’Orlando finishes first in the standings with 18 points, while Virtus (also thanks to the victory in Salerno) finishes in fourth place with 16 points.

The white and blue season continues with the first match of the playoffs which will start between 8 and 9 May with game 1 to be played at the Pala Poli. The opponent will be Sala Consilina.