Coach Pilot’s team resists and wins, keeping their hopes of salvation alive thanks to a decisive performance from Cohill
Agrigento never dies, winning a hard-fought victory in Chiusi, prevailing after two extra times. Coach Pilot’s team demonstrates character and determination, keeping the hopes of salvation alive and postponing any calculations until the next matchday. The protagonist of the evening is the American Cohill, one of the most discussed players of the season, who despite the 4 turnovers, gave an exceptional performance with 18 points, of which 7 out of 8 from the foul line, proving decisive in the crucial moments of the match. The victory in Agrigento is a real feat, with the white and blue team led by the usual Ambrosin with 20 points, followed by Polakovich with 19, Meluzzi with 17 and Chiarastella with 12. For Chiusi, Visentin’s 26 points, Stefanini’s 14 are not enough, Jerkovic’s 12 and Tilghman and Gaddefors’ 11.
This is the second consecutive victory for Agrigento in the safety group, where they have obtained 3 victories out of 5 matches played so far. Coach Pilot’s team shows that it wants to fight until the end, despite the still prohibitive ranking and the results from other fields that force it to chase. At the Estra Forum the start is all uphill, with San Giobbe Chiusi starting strong straight away and Agrigento forced to chase. The first set sees Moncada down by 10 points (25-15). In the second part the music does not change: it is still the Tuscan team that leads, but Moncada slowly takes the measure and Ambrosin takes the lead, flanked by Chiarastella and the tireless Meluzzi. We go to the break at 43-33.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, coach Pilot’s team changes gear. Pilot grooms him, reminding them that either you win or you die, and Moncada responds by deploying all the energy necessary to overturn the result. The partial counter is devastating with a 24-7 which sees Moncada, driven by the play of Ambrosin and Meluzzi, turn the game around. The inertia of the match changes and the third set is point to point, with Chiusi returning, but it is the man you don’t expect who takes the match to extra time: Cohill scores from the area (76-76). A single extra time is not enough to decide the match, because Agrigento never gives up and Chiusi holds firm. A second extra period was needed to decide the winner, and Agrigento managed to prevail thanks to shots from the line by Cohill and Polakovich. The last partial ends with a 15 to 18. Agrigento takes home the victory and now awaits Nardò.
Umana Chiusi 91 – Moncada Energy Group Agrigento 94
Umana Chiusi: Visintin 26, Stefanini 14, Jerkovic 12, Tilghman 11, Gaddefors 1, Raffaelli 6, Dellosto 4, Possamai 4, Bozzetto 3, Chapelli, Zani. All. Bassi
Moncada Energy Agrigento: Ambrosin 20, Polakovich 19, Cohill 18, Meluzzi 17, Chiarastella 12 ì, ì Caiazza 3, Fabi 3, Morici 2, Peterson, Sperduto. All. Pilot
Referees: Michele Centonza Di Grottammare (Ap), Alessandro Tirozzi Di Bologna (Bo)
Fulvio Grappasonno From Lanciano (Ch)
Notes: partial: 25-15, 22-18, 7-24, 22-19, 15-18
Domenico Vecchio
