Pallacanestro Trieste immediately makes the move that reverses the field factor in the play-off series against Torino. Only the play-offs count, they said. The important thing is to get there well, physically and mentally. Thanks to some injuries during the season, some of the red and whites now seem more rested, a very important factor in trying to win nine games, now eight, in these promotion play-offs. Whether the club was right in confirming coach Christian, criticized by a large part of the market, and in not doing anything crazy in terms of a remedial transfer market with regards to the players, will be discovered shortly.
In the meantime, however, the start in this series is excellent. In the play-offs you can’t cheat, everyone must give everything they have, you have to think about winning and that’s it. Judgments must be given based on what was seen on the parquet and no longer on inferences of any matches played to lose, thus hiding the potential positive aspects of the teams.
Trieste at the Pala Gianni Asti, with Campogrande in the stands due to the senior rule, gets off to a great start. Stratospheric percentages in the first 4′: 5/6 from three and 2/3 from two: 7-19 the partial. Then comes some mistakes, Torino stays there, a bomb almost on Bossi’s siren for the 18-28 of the first half.
The second quarter opens with a triple from Pepe and one from De Vico with Ghrilanda’s basket in the middle. Then Schina from Trieste takes care of scoring the equalizer: 28-28. Pepe again from beyond the arc: 31-28. The deadly 13-0 partial ends with two free throws from Candussi. The match is now balanced, Pepe from three: 36-34. Trieste takes the lead again, bomb from Brooks and then entry from Ruzzier: 38-41. In the final, however, Turin found a good spark: Thomas’ bomb and Poser’s basket: 45-41 at half-time.
The first minutes of the third were in favor of the Piedmontese who went 59-50 (De Vico from 6.75). Trieste reacts, two triples from Filloy in a short time, the second on the siren from eight meters away: 62-64 at the last break.
Almost 4′ without baskets for Reale Mutua, while for Trieste there are points from Vildera and Reyes: 62-68. Three-pointer between Pepe and Reyes: 65-71. Pepe again and then Thomas: 69-71 with 4’35” left. Ruzzier and Brooks don’t miss two trips to the line: 69-75 with 3’08” left. Turin doesn’t give up: 71-75. Ruzzier entering at minus 1’55”: 71-77. He makes mistakes here and there. From afar, Filloy puts the near-safety bomb at minus 55″: 71-80. Free hits for Poser and Brooks: 73-81 with the clock in Trieste’s favor: minus 36”. Brooks himself scores those in the bracket: 76-83. But be careful, the series is far from over. Turin has all it takes to take back the stage.
The scoreboard.
REALE MUTUA TORINO 76
BASKETBALL TRIESTE 83
(18-28; 27-13; 17-23; 14-19)
REALE MUTUA TORINO: Kennedy, Thomas 17, Vencato 11, Ghirlanda 4, Schina 4, Fea ne, Poser 12, Rhao ne, Petruzzi ne, De Vico 14, Cusin, Pepe 14. Coach: F. Ciani.
TRIESTE BASKETBALL: Bossi 3, Filloy 11, Rolli ne, Reyes 17, Deangeli 2, Ruzzier 8, Candussi 9, Vildera 6, Ferrero, Menalo, Brooks 27. Coach: J. Christian.
Note.
2-point shots: Turin 18/30, Trieste 17/31
3-pointers: Turin 10/31, Trieste 11/33
Free throws: Turin 10/13, Trieste 16/22
Rebounds: Torino 38, Trieste 34
