And so here we are. After almost twenty days of stoppage, it’s time for truth, it’s time for the playoffs that are worth an entire season. That of DAI Optical Virtus Basket Molfetta it was, indeed, a season above expectations that deserves that icing on the cake called B Nazionale.
It’s time to get serious and represent Puglia in the best way, showing well-played and fun basketball. Wednesday 8 May at 8.30pm we start with Race 1 where the opponents will be the Campanians of Council Halla team that has made a good progress and has already faced the Gold Play-ins.
Match number 1 of this first series will take place at the Pala Poli in Molfetta in which the contribution of the blue and white fans will be fundamental as never before. It will be Wednesday 8 May the Pro Virtus daya special moment in which all fans are called to demonstrate their attachment and passion towards an extraordinary team that has provided unforgettable emotions, constantly remaining at the top of the table and proudly carrying the name of Molfetta around southern Italy.
They have been important weeks for the blue and white, necessary to catch their breath after the Gold Play-in, reset their mind after the two consecutive defeats against Ragusa and Capo d’Orlando, but also to take advantage of the good things seen especially in the latest outings.
A team that is never tamed, capable of playing with everyone and knowing how to react to difficulties. In view of their debut in these playoffs, the team carried out physical work in the gym and technical-tactical work on the Pala Poli parquet, preparing as best as possible for a difficult and already decisive challenge. «As I’ve been saying all year – commented coach Carolillo on the eve of Race 1 – we respect everyone, but fear no one. We will face Sala Consilina knowing that it is an excellent, well-trained team that will need to pay close attention to take home the series». It was during the week Marco Annese to present the first match against Sala Consilina.
«We face a solid and compact team – the Molfetta native underlined – in front of our audience who we invite in large numbers to support us once again this season. Starting a playoff series right away at home is of great impact, so it’s a good idea to know how to take advantage. As far as we are concerned, it is right to start again from the best of the last match played in Capo d’Orlando, but avoiding those moments of light-heartedness that characterized the last match. We must try to maintain a fair balance between the beginning and the end of the match – concluded Annese – and use that intensity that we used against Orlandina to recover the deficit, from the beginning to the end of the match».
Virtus has played two matches this season against Sala Consilina, with a perfect balance, so far, between the two teams. In the Play-in Gold Sala Consilina won at home with a result in their favor of 87-58, while in the return match at the Pala Poli played on 7 April, Virtus managed to beat the Campania team with a result of 92-73.
Perfect balance between victories and defeats in the last tournament for coach Patrizio’s men with four successes and as many failures. This is a fact that makes the challenge uncertain, but certainly exciting. The Campania team will have to do without the injured Triassi, but nevertheless remain a balanced team both on an offensive and defensive level, being able to count on valid elements of the caliber of Erkmaa, Moretti, Biordi, Enihe and Balciunas.
Photo by Donato Volpe
