The two beauties will decide the semi-final pairings.
La Molisana Magnolia Campobasso – Allianz Geas Sesto San Giovanni
This evening at 8pm, at the Molisana Arena, it will be time for Game 3 between Molisana Magnolia Campobasso and Allianz Geas Sesto San Giovanni (Wednesday, 8pm, live LBF TV). The previous seasons had already widely anticipated that this series would be one of the most intense and interesting of the first round and in fact that was the case. The first two games were decided by a handful of points: first the two overtimes of Game 1, then Game 2 which avoided overtime only thanks to the buzzer beater of Martina Kacerik, who had scored little in the series, before finding the most important basket. Although the field factor has always been reversed in the series, this time it could be an advantage for Campobasso to play at home, given that the crowd at the Molisana Arena has often been a factor this season. In game two Campobasso managed to limit Geas’ presence in the area, holding the Rossonere to 42% from two and was more precise from beyond the arc, shooting 10% more (42%). Quiñonez was a guarantee for Magnolia, scoring 21 points in game 1 and 15 in game 2, proving to be the real game changer of the match coming off the bench. In Game 2, Geas struggled to find their protagonists from Game 1, in fact Dotto and Gwathmey scored only ten points between them, but the strength of this team is having many important individuals, such as Ilaria Panzera, who ended game two with 21 points and 8/11 from the field. Game 3 promises to be another intense and probably low-scoring match, which could go point-to-point again until the end. The match will be refereed by Gianluca Gagliardi (first referee), Roberto Radaelli (second referee) and Stefano Ursi (third referee).
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Passalacqua Ragusa
At the Virtus Segafredo Arena, at 6pm, game three of the series between Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Passalacqua Ragusa will kick off. The two teams will meet for the sixth time this season, with Bologna currently leading 3-2. However, Ragusa has proven to be one of the teams most capable of putting the Bianconere in difficulty, even beyond the field factor: the two successes of the Green and Whites have in fact always come in Bologna. This playoff series had two faces: first Ragusa conquered the parquet of the Segafredo Arena in a tight match, but then it was overwhelmed by the Bianconere in the second match of the series. In fact, in Game 2 there was no story, with Bologna already leading 8-21 after ten minutes, and then even reaching +29, without ever giving their opponents the chance to put their heads in front. Virtus not only shot very well, but also played an excellent team game, with 25 assists on the scoresheet and only 7 turnovers. The good circulation of the ball allowed Virtus to find many different solutions, sending five players into double figures. Bologna also improved a lot in defence, holding a team that averaged 69.7 points to just 59 points: the biggest success of the Juventus defense was to shut down Chidom, who didn’t score any baskets from the field. Without its spearhead and still without Spreafico Ragusa was unable to resist: unlocking alternative solutions will therefore be crucial for Passalacqua, who wants to score another upset after the opening match. The series is open, with a dry match in which anything can happen, given that both teams have the experience and talent to take it home. The match will be refereed by Alessio Dionisi (first referee), Mauro Moretti (second referee) and Marco Rudellat (third referee).
