BASKETBALL GIARRE 99
ALFA BASKET CATANIA 100
Giarre: Varotta 21, Radovic 6, A. Leonardi, Le Noci 4, Vitale 22, Malukas 8, Casiraghi 4, N. Leonardi 2, Marzo 24, Strazzeri ne, Joao Pedro 8, Saccone ne. All. D’Urso.
Alfa: Bergamo 5, Esposito ne, Arena 8, Barone ne, Torrisi ne, Budrys 25, G. Signorino, Galasso 1, Patanè 4, Pennisi 5, Pappalardo 10, Abramo 42. All. Di Masi.
Referees: Micalizzi from S.Agata di Militello (Me) and Gazzara from Messina.
Partials: 23-25, 42-57, 72-80.
Alfa Basket Catania reaches the play-off semi-finals of Serie C Unica. In game 2, the rossozzurri quintet conquers the PalaJungo of Giarre with the final score of 100-99. An incredible match with a thrilling ending forbidden to the faint of heart.
A few seconds before the siren sounds, Alfa is ahead by 3 points. Foul by Budrys (the fifth for him) on Marzo who was trying for a triple. Three shots from the line for Giarre’s captain, who scores the first two. The last one turns on the iron and goes out. Overtime danger and with Budrys out for 5 fouls averted. Alfa counterattack rebound and Pennisi’s Rossazzurri basket not awarded at the end of the half. In the end it’s a celebration for the guests on the field and for the Alfa fans in the stands of the arena.
But what a risk for coach Davide Di Masi’s quintet, who after closing the first two sets with the lead (25-23 and 57-42), had also reached a lead of +19 in the third quarter of the game. Then a decline, a bit of relaxation and the comeback of the gialloblù led by Alberto Marzo, Gabriele Vitale and Giuseppe Varotta. Giarre also moves ahead by one point.
Alfa regroups led by a stratospheric Luciano Abramo (42 points for him) and a series of important triples made in difficult moments of the match. Positive performances by Matas Budrys, Daniel Arena, Marco Pennisi and Enrico Pappalardo.
Applause to Alberto Marzo, among other former players of Alfa, and to Gabriele Vitale, who yesterday played a great game and are leaving basketball behind. Match with a difficult ending, but Alfa Basket Catania with heart, sacrifice and determination closes the “series” at 2-0 and will now be able to concentrate on the match against Comiso. First leg on Saturday 4 May at Leonardo Da Vinci. The play-off final is up for grabs.
