After Treviso and Brindisi, Reyer will challenge Pesaro in a championship final that sees the gold-grenade as the supreme judge of salvation. The knockout in Puglia reopened a wound linked to the players’ nerves, with Tucker getting sent off for elbowing Laquintana in what was a game action and not a reaction foul. In the event of victory, Venice would send Pesaro itself to A2.
In Brindisi, Spahija’s team had a good reaction in the last minutes after playing very well in the first 8 minutes: certainly not enough in view of the playoffs. This is why with Pesaro it will be important to find a solid test that gives confidence and chases away the clouds of those usual terrible blackouts that grip the gold-grenade teams. The fittest player is definitely Mfiondu Kabengele, protagonist of a super double double in the Brindisi area: the Canadian big man is in great shape and he will be the backbone in this approach to the playoffs.
In the match against Pesaro it will be important to propose a defense different from the one deployed against Brindisi and it will be necessary to equalize the energy of the Marche players, condemned to win to hope for salvation. Attitude, energy, control of rebounds and emotions in the last pre-playoff match: this is the recipe for being able to turn the page after the bad performance in Brindisi.
The key duel is between Rayjon Tucker and Justin Wright-Foreman. Reyer’s guard is not in great form and is fresh from Brindisi’s expulsion: the opponent is tough and has a lot of points in his hands, therefore concentration, presence and solidity will be needed to limit his creativity and offensive contribution .
The match between Reyer and Pesaro will start at 6.15pm, with referees Giovannetti, Borgioni and Valleriani. Ex from the meeting at Pesaro Mazzola, Visconti and Totè’s house. O’Connell should remain out of the foreign rotation. De Nicolao and Simms recovered, Heidegger bruised but it seems he can take the field. Reyer is the favourite, but Pesaro has many reasons: 55-45% in favor of the gold-granets, superior in quality and physicality.
HERE are the rosters
HERE is the calendar
HERE is the ranking
Photo Ciamillo-Castoria (in the photo Mfiondu Kabengele)
Daniele Morbio
