The wonderful journey of the team ends in game 3 of the play-off semi-final Valentino Basketball Castellaneta which has never ceased to amaze this season: the Virtus Matera wins with a score of 90-74 and deservedly wins the final.
The red and whites fought and put all the weapons at their disposal on the parquet to try to score a coup: cynical and ruthless Matera conceded nothing and in the usual “fatal” third period of PalaSassi gave the decisive push to the match.
For coach Console’s team, lots of applause at the end of the match from the red and white tide at PalaSassi: a show within a show, in a series of the highest level on the parquet and in the stands, truly of another category.
A huge thank you goes to Castellaneta who rallied around the boys: yesterday the whole heart of the city was present at PalaSassi and pushed the VBC to the feat, respecting and honoring the values of sport. The memory of Mattia together with everyone at PalaSassi was the most moving moment of the evening. Thank you.
NEWS – The match opens at a fiery pace, triples from Morciano and Biasich give the home team the first lead: +6 (14-8) in the 5th minute. Matera’s defensive intensity is very high and they concede very little from long range to Castellaneta: Morciano already makes it clear that he is in for a great evening and finds the triple for +9 in the last minute, then Bangu closes the period at 25-18.
In the 2nd minute Morciano again from 3 brings Matera back to +9 (30-21), then there is the 7-0 break for the red and whites which reopens the game: Gaudiano’s triple and then Caló’s free throw make it -2 (30 -28) in the 4th minute. Matera is not intimidated by the guest’s attempt to return and continues to hammer, reinvigorating the long-range advantage: this time he strikes De Laurentiis for a new +7 (37-30) in the 7th minute. VBC tries to get into a 3-point game with Caló and Gaudiano, and actually manages to stay in contact before the long break, with Drava closing a first half of the match of the highest level by both teams at 47-43.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, it is again from long range that Matera breaks any balance: the usual Morciano and De Angelis hit a 3 for the +10 (55-45) in the 3rd minute. Bagdonavicius takes the lead for Matera in repelling the red and whites’ attempts to return and they don’t give up: Datuowei scores from 3 to pull the red and white attack away from quicksand, but Vranjkovic’s triple is even more important for -6 (63-57) at 6′. The comeback attempt could start from here, but instead it is the “last swansong” of the match (and of the season) for the red and whites: Matera with their usual cynicism responds with the quality of Bagdonavicius and then De Mola from 3 propitiates the break of 9- 0 which sends the red and whites to hell: 72-57 the score at the end of the third period.
The match is now in the hands of Matera, who can manage until the end. The red and whites, however, continue to fight for possession and honor the parquet until the end: 90-74 is the score with which game 3 ends and which brings the curtain down on the Valentino Basket Castellaneta season.
It was an unforgettable season: from the goal of salvation to the play offs with 4 days to spare. A post season played at a very high level against a great team, built to dominate the championship. These guys, coach Console, DS Rotolo and all the red and white management gave Castellaneta a wonderful journey. Thank you.
VIRTUS MATERA 90-74 VALENTINO BASKET CASTELLANETA
(25-18; 47-43; 72-57)
MATERA: Biasich 12, Buono 9, Spada, Procopio, De Laurentiis 3, Morciano 22, Bagdonavicius 18, Donati, De Mola 8, De Angelis 18, Digno ne, Belgrano ne. Contested appendix; ass. Minafra
CASTELLANETA: Drava 2, Carpignano 5, Vranjkovic 18, Bangu Mbenza 13, Gaudiano 6, Datuowei 7, Guduric 7, Caló 16, Dettorre, Casarola, Petronella none, Comes none. Console Attachment; ass. Cosentino, Rotolo
Partial scores: 25-18; 22-25; 25-14; 18-17
Referees: Ceo of Bari and De Carlo of Lequile
