Virtus Basket Molfetta wins Game 1 against Sala Consilina and opens the first series as best it could
MOLFETTA – The Virtus Basketball Molfetta wins Game 1 of the first series of the promotion playoffs. It ends at Pala Poli 93-68 against the Campanians of Council Hall at the end of a hard-fought and balanced match in the first two quarters and in which the home team managed to take the lead starting from the third half of the match. It was the match in which a good man was seen again Georgi Sirakovdecisive in his three-point shots, and of Mirko Gloria strongly growing in the latest releases. Winning the first match at home, as said on the eve, was fundamental in view of Game 2 which the blue and white will play away on Sunday. After almost 20 days of stoppage, the men of coach Carolillo they enter the field decisive and determined, avoiding the frivolities seen in the last two Play-in Gold matches. The race starts in perfect balance with the two teams studying and chasing each other. In the first quarter Marco Formica and later Andrea Calisi with a triple they responded blow for blow to Sala Consilina’s attacks with a score that remained tied until 7-7. It is then the Campanians who try the first escape, placing a +5 which finds the immediate response from the blue and white: at first it is Stefanini to close the gap, while Sirakov brings the game back to parity by making two free throws. At the end of the half, Virtus takes the lead. He does it with Gloria who first signs the 17-15 and shortly after the 20-17, a result that closes the first quarter. However, the game remains in the balance even in the first minutes of the second quarter because Sala Consilina finds the equalizer at 22-22 and then a new lead of 5 points. Up front, however, there is a compact and reactive team that doesn’t allow itself to be surprised too much. Formica and Sirakov recover the deficit with two triples and allow Virtus to remain glued to their opponents. It is once again the Bulgarian who scores the three points which make it 36-36 and shortly after another two important points following a quick counterattack. The blue-and-whites lead the match 41-36 and two further points arrive on the Sirakov-Gloria axis which close the second quarter on the result of 47-38. In the third quarter the blue and whites continue to grow, they immediately score with Stefanini and shortly after with captain Marco Formica, author of a triple that paves the way for Virtus. Point after point, Carolillo’s men reach a 20-point advantage over their opponents (60-40) and continue to keep Sala Consilina, whose reaction is feeble, at a distance. At the end of the quarter Mirko Gloria once again puts his seal on the basket which is worth the 71-54. Virtus had the task of managing the result in the last ten minutes: they did it again with Gloria and Calisi at the start (both with three-point baskets) and in the final part of the match with Giorgini and Paglia. Sala Consilina down by 25 points surrenders to a Virtus team who played an excellent match which leads the playoff series well. Ends 93-68, but on Sunday 12 May it will be repeated in Campania. The target? Try to settle the score with Sala Consilina already in the second match. «Woe betide you if you consider the series already closed – was the captain’s response Marco Formica – we have to stay on track, concentrate and play like we played this match.”
Virtus Basket Molfetta Sala Consilina Basketball1st quarter 20 17 2nd quarter 47 38 3rd quarter 71 54 4th quarter 93 68
Virtus Basketball Molfetta: Aramburu 3, Stefanini 11, Sirakov 21, Calisi 8, Formica 13, Gloria 23, Paglia 7, Giorgini 5, Annese 0, Sadreika 0, Mezzina 0, Plantamura 2. Coach Carolillo.
Sala Consilina Basketball: Balciunas 18, Ronca 25, Moretti 8, Biordi 6, Enihe 2, Arnaut 2, Sabatino 5, Erkmaa 2, Durante ne, Miljkovic 0. Coach Patrizio.
