REGGIO EMILIA – In the first match at PalaBigi of this playoff series, the Reggiana Basketball beats Reyer Venice 78-66 in a match that Unahotels, as in game 1, led for almost all 40 minutes, even reaching a 22-point lead. A test of character, determination and desire to win, even when Umana fell behind in the score, at -5, in the last half in which the red and whites had a moment of difficulty. However, the great defense allowed coach Priftis’ athletes to bring home the victory and the new lead in the series, with the possibility of closing it on Saturday evening in the fourth chapter which will again be held in via Guasco.
The scoreboard
UNAHOTELS REGGIO EMILIA – UMANA VENEZIA 78-66
UNAHOTELS REGGIO EMILIA: Weber 5, Bonaretti, Cipolla, Galloway 5, Faye 7, Smith 18, Uglietti 2, Atkins 8, Black 10, Vitali 5, Grant 2, Chillo 16. Coach: Priftis.
HUMAN VENICE: Spissu 10, Tessitori 3, Heidegger 7, Casarin 2, De Nicolao 2, Janelidze, Kabengele 6, Parks 2, Brooks, Simms 10 Wiltjer 7, Tucker 15. Coach: Spahija.
Referees: Rossi, Bartoli, Quarta
Partial: 18-16; 23-11; 23-20; 2-7pm
Note: 3,738 spectators. Technical foul to Black in the 7th minute. Technical foul on the Venezia bench in the 13th minute. Technical foul on the Reggio bench in the 15th minute. Unsportsmanlike foul by Weber in the 22nd minute. Black comes off for fouls in the 33rd minute. Faye comes off for fouls in the 38th minute.
The news
First quarter
At the tap-off raised by Rossi they show up: for Reggio Weber, Galloway, Vitali, Chillo and Faye while for Venezia Spissu, Tucker, Casarin, Simms and Kabengele, in a Pala Bigi, already hot thanks to the red and white fans. In this bedlam Vitali and his teammates took the lead 9-3, leading Spahija to spend his first suspension. In the midst of the playoffs, Kabengele and Faye are catechized by Rossi for a few too many contacts. Weber may not have the hot hand, nor Galloway, but he is omnipresent on loose balls. Unahotels misses a few too many shots and Umana takes advantage of it to grab the equalizer. Black first scene then says something too much to Kabengele who had pushed him and gets a technical foul. First guest advantage with Wiltjer, immediate overtaking with Smith author of 5 points in a row, while Chillo, who has not yet seen the bench, is fighting like a lion against his former teammates. At 10′ the scoreboard reads 18-16, with the match in almost perfect balance.
Second quarter
The game is played with a different speed at the expense of precision, while this time Quarta calls the two coaches. Black immediately entered the game and his face exudes determination and he charges Faye at the moment of the exchange with the young big man who in fact immediately blocks Kabengele, who remains on the ground, falling badly (nothing serious for him). Due to protests, a technical foul is given to Reyer’s bench. Technical foul, this time, on the Reggio bench and followed by Faye’s third foul, not positive news. Instead, the first bomb arrives for the red and whites with Galloway who takes the lead to 32 to 23. Great penetration from Smith who then places the triple for +14 amidst the jubilation of the building, the first player to reach double figures on the scoresheet. With a good fraction, Unahotels finishes ahead 41 to 27.
Third fourth
At the start of the second half we reached +16, while Faye hurt his opponents both in attack and defense. Reggio continues to be aggressive in defense, in which Chillo stands out in amazing form. The game is edgy and rough contacts are wasted and in the meantime he, Matteo Chillo, becomes the best scorer, at the moment with 13 points. Third foul for Spissu and the gap in the middle of the quarter becomes 20 points, the result of an asphyxiating defense, which leaves no certainties for the guests, forced to make difficult shots. Fourth foul for Tessitori, in this second part of the quarter in which if Umana scores, Unahotels replies immediately afterwards. Last break at 64-47.
Fourth quarter
Unfortunately, Faye’s fourth foul arrives immediately: it is the most critical moment for the red and whites who were overtaken by Venice, going from +22 to +9. A few unwelcome whistles from Priftis’ team only increased the nervousness and Black also received the fourth penalty. Pala Bigi also tries to encourage the red and whites, while there is a timeout requested by the Reggio Emilia staff when there is still a long way to go, 8 minutes to play. Weber finally unlocks the scoreboard for Unahotels, who are already in the bonus. Furthermore, Black is forced out for fouls, while Tucker scores the 5th. Other whistles and non-whistles from the trio are not appreciated by the public who roar their disappointment. This physical play by Umana is making the home team nervous as they struggle to find the basket. Priftis makes some changes to try to change the momentum of the match. Reggio is now struggling to find space in attack and must draw energy from the defense if it wants to bring home this very tough game 3. With 6 consecutive points, Jamar Smith puts 11 points back between the two teams, to which another 2 are added from the line with Chillo and with 129 seconds to go. Faye also has to go out for fouls, Atkins replacing him. Tucker on the line on two occasions, collecting a 1/4, Vitali wins an offensive rebound that smacks of victory. It ends 78-66 with the entire Pala Bigi standing to celebrate the 2-1 in the series.
