Sirio Salerno ’92 beats Ferraro Group Ariano Irpino at home and closes the playoff practice already in game 2. At the PalaCardito last night was a May 1st celebration for the grenadines who, with the final of 54-78, repeated their success of the first match (96-60) and confirmed themselves as absolute dominators of the regional Serie B championship (Campania committee but also with teams from Puglia, Calabria, Basilicata and Molise): 25 matches played between the regular season, the clock phase, playoffs and Coppa Campania – another trophy already brought home – without ever losing.
Satisfaction and awareness of one’s means at Salerno, but the journey does not end here. The road to Serie A2 is still full of obstacles. President Angela Somma’s team will face Sisas Pallacanestro Perugia at the end of the month for the semi-final of the national concentrations that will lead to promotion, where they are qualified as Campania 1.
The pairing with the Umbrians (Lazio 2) involves return matches (25 May/1 June), with the first within friendly walls; in the event of an equal division of the stakes in the two matches, it will be the difference in baskets that will decide who qualifies for the double final against one between the winner of the Emilia Romagna group and the third of the Lombard group (8/16 June).
The match was always in control yesterday for coach Njegos Visnjic’s team. Even without the contribution of De Mitri, on the bench pro forma after the cut he suffered in game 1, the Grenadines immediately made an important impact on the match: 0-13 in the first 5 minutes. Silatsa’s overwhelming power on the rebound, top readings from Valerio, Oliveira’s usual conducting and an Orchi team unleashed in the double phase with its 24 points on the scoresheet. Takrou and Scala did very well, minutes also for Naddeo, Tagliaferri, Scollini, Esposito and D’Amico.
In the ranks of Ariano Irpino, the former Granatina Torruella stood out (15 points). After the first quarter (10-26), in the second the hosts attempted a comeback, reaching -9 but Salerno always responded. At mid-match the 25-39 gave certainties. Decisive extension after half an hour (35-61) with an unsurpassed defense and very high quality counterattacks until the final 54-78.
Beaming patron Somma, who took the whole group to dinner after the challenge in an atmosphere of understandable enthusiasm: “I’m very happy with this big chunk of the season. So far we have been excellent in everything. Over the years I have never had the satisfaction of reaching this point of the year undefeated. Now we must prepare for the concentrations, without relaxing. In my mindset I always think that mine is the strongest team. It is made up of girls who give their soul, are united, have great technical qualities and are well guided. I thank you for your efforts.”
A few days of well-deserved rest for the seniors (the unders must prepare for the U17 concentrations scheduled in Sora from 10 to 12 May), training will resume at full speed on Monday: “I am sure that the players and staff will be able to enjoy this beautiful moment but at the same time we are all aware that we will need to concentrate to face a competitive team like Perugia, which has elements on the roster who have experience in Serie A. We will also find our former player Cragnolino as an opponent but I am sure that our athletes will give their best.”
FERRARO GROUP ARIANO IRPINO-SIRIO SALERNO 54-78 (10-26; 25-39; 35-61)
ARIANO IRPINO: Moretti 8, Tsyubik 11, Albanese 6, Torruella 15, Ferraretti, Allegro, Guilavogui 6, Armenti 2, Mastrototaro 6. Coach: Bellizzi.
SALERNO: Oliveira 14, Naddeo 2, Valerio 2, Orchi 24, Scala 5, De Mitri ne, Tagliaferri, Esposito, D’Amico, Takrou 6, Silatsa 25, Soltreni. Coach: Visnjic.
Referees: Pezzella-Arciello
