Finally it begins!
This evening the post season begins, the games from inside or outside, those without a tomorrow, those for which we have worked all season, a blender of emotions at the end of which 2 teams will be able to (finally) party.
Two scoreboards (Gold and Silver), 16 teams, an undisputed favorite (Trapani, a circumstance that we ourselves still struggle to accept), two/three candidates (Forlì, Cantù and Bologna), the “usual” surprise that punctually comes every year out (last year Pistoia in Serie A as fifth, this year Rimini, Cividale?).
For Trapani Shark therefore the role (uncomfortable but still legitimate) of favorite, given the best seasonal record (29 wins 3 losses) and the guarantee of playing all the “good” matches at home.
The “Silver” draw (the one chosen by Trapani) therefore begins today and for the Sharks the first obstacle is called UCC Assigeco Piacenza.
Coach Salieri’s team obviously finished eighth in the Red group and met the Sharks for the second time this season. The two teams have in fact already faced each other once, during the clock phase, and on that occasion the Sharks prevailed with a score of 74-67 at the end of a very hard-fought match, in which Malcolm’s injury was decisive Miller forced out (and out until the end of the season).
Brady Skeens is therefore the only American for Piacenza, long vertical and with great “presence” in the paint, capable of practically traveling with a double double average in the clock phase.
But the Italians are the strength of coach Salieri’s roster, with players of great talent and offensive danger. Above all, Giovanni Veronesi, a guard/winger capable of producing American numbers and probably a key player in the balance for the Emilians. But even elements like Michele Serpilli or Federico Bonacini or the expert Gherardo Sabatini are capable of lighting up and carving out their decisive moment during the match. Or like Ursulo D’Almeyda, Lorenzo Querci or Filippo Gallo.
In short, this quarter of the playoffs is only “apparently” soft for the league leaders, who will have to keep their concentration high to then make the different quality of their roster count.
Among other things, as is normal, the pressure is all on Trapani who must “respect” the odds while Piacenza will play with a clear mind.
No roster problems for coach Diana who has all her players available: Amar Alibegovic, Veljko Dancetovic, Stefano Gentile, Chris Horton, Matteo Imbrò, Pierpaolo Marini, Fabio Mian, Joseph Mobio, Marco Mollura, JD Notae, Fabrizio Pugliatti, Rei Pullazi, Andrea Renzi, Yancarlos Rodriguez.
As we have become accustomed to by now, only in the immediacy of the match will we find out which are the two seniors that coach Diana will not bring with her on the bench.
Regarding today’s match, here is what captain Marco Mollura (in the photo) declared to the company microphones this week: “We have reached the playoffs, the objective for which we have been training all year. We know that everyone sees us as the favorite and we are aware that no one will give us anything. We are preparing our game plan and we will be ready. Playing the first two games at home is certainly an advantage but we need all the support possible from our fans who will have to support us We are an expert team with many players with strong leadership: the playoffs are long and represent a separate competition, so we will need everyone’s support.”
The race will be directed by Messrs. Radaelli Roberto from Porto Empedocle (AG), Masi Andrea from Florence (FI) and Coraggio Andrea from Rome (RM).
Playing at the Pala Shark in Trapani, two-ball at 8.30pm.
