(by Emiliano Latino). If the first was good, the second was even more succulent Triestewhich once again conquers the Altarpiece Gianni Asti 84-87 and takes it to the 2-0 in the series that is worth the passage to the playoff semi-finals of A2. Christian’s team plays cat and topor, even if he had to get his hands “dirty” to achieve a victory in the final, which puts a serious threat and perhaps the wax on the bottom when the next round goes through.
Ciani finds the Kennedy of the best times (but the worst Cusin of the year) and the strength of a group that has never cast off its moorings. Indeed, when the time was right he pressed his foot on the accelerator, going beyond his limits. And bringing this Trieste to suffer until the last seconds, if it isn’t a feat, we’re close to it.
Everything can be said except that Turin didn’t throw its heart over the obstacle to try them all and reopen a series that immediately seemed to border on the impossible. More could have been done, much more, but not today. Only a triple by Brooks 18″ from the siren managed to dampen the enthusiasm of the 1400 present at the stadium.
On Friday we move to PalaTrieste for Game 3 and the Turin players will need a miracle to reopen the games. Trieste has two match points that it is unlikely to let slip away.
The match
In the 1st quarter Torino relies on the two Americans, especially the revived Kennedy (8 pts), who respond presently. The intensity and incessant pace marked the first 10 minutes in which both teams countered their opponents blow for blow. Ciani and Christian battle it out until the first siren, which sees the guests in command 18-24, with super Reyes scoring 10 points.
Little was scored in the first few minutes of the 2nd quarter: a few too many errors in the offensive choices of both teams penalized the spectacle on the pitch. Brooks still in the shadow forces his teammates to make solutions, which bring the ball into segments more frequently.
Candussi thanks. Trieste’s double-digit lead alternates with some yellow-blue revivals that they can’t help but chase.
In the second part Torino forcefully returns to the game with a couple of triples from its Americans, with Vencato’s intelligence and points radically changing the inertia of the match. At halftime the guests were ahead by just one possession 44-46.
The start of the 3rd quarter for Reale Mutua is tough: Ciani’s team, led by an excellent Kennedy, always manages to amaze when it comes to fighting at the front. Trieste closes ranks, finds a minimum of balance and points in attack, but now it’s a completely different game (52-55 at 5′).
Having reached the ventello, it is once again the yellow-blue American who takes his teammates by the hand. The challenge becomes nervous and the trio in gray punishes the Turin protests with two technicians (Ciani and Cusin).
Everything will be decided in the last half: Trieste is still ahead 65-70 with Ferrero’s triple on the siren which silences the Turin arena.
Turin doesn’t give up and even in the first part of the last quarter forces Trieste into overtime. Driven by captain De Vico, they find parity in the score and the hope of bringing the two points home.
Christian stiffens and gives a few dirty looks to his team who seem to sit on their laurels (72-74 at 5′).
Without Cusin, who was released for 5 fouls at the end of the previous quarter, it was Poser (author of a great performance) who took the shots under the boards. Too many errors from the perimeter for the hosts who would do well to think differently about some offensive solutions.
It’s point for point until the end and a triple from Brooks is needed to mix things up and give coach Christian’s men the victory.
