After two games and 35 minutes of play in Game 3, Tecnoengineering had their backs against the wall (39-31), but a 13-3 run delivered victory and safety to coach Terzolo’s Lunette. Excellent defensive approach from the start and above all a lot, a lot of heart: the Lunettes never give up and in the end they celebrate with merit.
Tecnoengineering Moncalieri chooses the best day to win the first away match of the season. A May 5th, in fact, that the Lunette protagonists of this Race 3 will hardly forget. Forty minutes of non-stop battle, with Vicenza trying to take the lead a couple of times without ever completely erasing its tracks. At half-time the yellow-blue team trailed by 6 points, after having closed the first period with the lead (13-14), but after suffering a total blackout in the second. In these ten minutes, in fact, only Pasero and Giordano scored in the very first possessions, giving Tecnoengineering the +3 at 18-15. Then the light goes out and the yellow-blue attack remains dry for over 7 minutes. Vicenza first hooks the game and then with Assentato and Vitari tries to escape close to the central siren. With the attacks in obvious difficulty on both sides, we go to the locker room at 24-18 for Velcofin. Upon returning to the pitch, Moncalieri continues to defend brilliantly and – despite continuing to lose too many balls (25 in the end, after 27 in Game 1 and 15 in Game 2) – manages to nibble away two points against the Venetian team and enters the last 10 minutes with a 4 point deficit.
THE FINAL QUARTER, THE COMEBACK AND THE COUNTER-ATTACK WHICH WORTH THE A2
The last period is worth a season and the news can only tell us 10 minutes of pure sporting madness. Absent immediately scores 2 and signs the +6, Pasero responds after more than two minutes. 6′ from the end Togliani scores a triple that weighs like a boulder, giving the home team the maximum advantage (+7). Cicic scores 1/2 from the line, while Belosevic shortly after scores both. With 5′ to go Moncalieri’s back is essentially against the wall: -8 and the attack becomes increasingly frozen. Coach Terzolo tries to change something by bringing in Giordano and Cordola. As usual, he performed excellently in defence, but in attack he continues to struggle. The most dangerous is Pasero who tries to take on various responsibilities, finding 4 very important points in a row for the 39-35. Cordola then takes care of finding the -2 first (from the paint after the error of “colleague” Salvini) and Giordano equalizing everything by stealing the ball and converting on the counterattack. With 2′ to go the scoreboard is emblematic: 39-39, for yet another draw after almost 120 minutes of play in this exciting Series. Then Togliani’s triple with a foul threatens to sweep away the yellow and blue dreams in an instant. Togliani, however, does not complete the 4-point game and on the other side Cicic makes all his experience count and finds the -1 from below with his right hand, absorbing the contact from the defense in a great way. Moncalieri defends well and tries to score the two in attack, but the action is interrupted by a referee’s whistle for an offensive foul called on Cicic. With only 28 seconds remaining, Moncalieri decides not to foul immediately and tries to steal the ball. Time passes inexorably, Vicenza is able not to lose possession and Giordano finds himself forced to commit a foul 4′ from the end of the 24. Mandatory timeout for coach Terzolo, very heavy 0/2 from the line for the unfortunate Togliani and the table is thus set for the “braid” with which the yellow-blues displace Vicenza: rebound by Cordola, opening on Giordano, long ball for Cicic who finds Salvini with the assist that is worth an entire season: it ends 43-42, Moncalieri is safe! For Vicenza, however, last chance in the second and final round of the Playout against Rovigo who won Game 3 this evening against Carugate at home (64-60).
Great celebration therefore for Tecnoengineering who, despite an unlucky season due to injuries, managed to remain in the second top Italian championship. A great result for the entire environment and for the many fans who were decisive in the home victory on Wednesday that brought the series to a draw. Once again many, too many turnovers (25), but the rebounding dominance is worth the A2: 47-27 for Moncalieri.
Alessandro Cerrato, president of Libertas Moncalieri: «I am proud of this group, overturning a Series is never easy. As well as playing such an important Game 3 away from home. The girls were very good and above all concentrated until the last siren. I’m really happy that the victory came at the end: it means we were on track! Now, after a long and complicated season, we can celebrate and look forward to next season with enthusiasm. Congratulations and good luck in Vicenza!”.
Velcofin Interlocks Vicenza – Tecnoengineering Moncalieri 42-43
Partials (13-14; 11-4; 8-10)
Velcofin Interlocks Vicenza: Belosevic* 2, Togliani* 12, Sturma*, Assentato* 13, Peserico* 6, Bevolo, Pellegrini* 2, Reschiglian ne, Valente ne, Ruffo, Vitari 7. Coach: Zara. Ass: Gobbo, Gorlin.
Tecnoengineering Moncalieri: Cordola* 5, Pasero* 6, Mitreva* 4, Salvini* 10, Cicic* 12, Carnivale Chianca ne, Giordano 6, Landi, Iagulli, Ramasso ne, Nicora ne, Jakpa. Coach: Terzolo. Ass: Lanzano, Sciannimanico.
