TRIESTE And now the pressure is all on Forlì. This too could be one of the keys to the second match between Romagna and Pallacanestro Trieste tonight at 8.30pm at the Unieuro Arena in Forlì. Jamion Christian’s red and whites by winning in that world – dominating with a +23 – the first act of the semi-final turned their series in their favor. Tonight the truth contest. Given that Forlì will attack from the ball, Trieste is called to a new test of maturity. Extreme clarity, coldness and that pinch of cynicism will be needed. The longer the match remains open, the greater the pressure will be on the shoulders of Cinciarini and his teammates, a condition that could lead to forcing and Trieste in the matches against Turin and the other evening in Romagna demonstrated that it knows how to punish the obstacles of those in front .
The red and whites have now consolidated considerable confidence in their own abilities. After a regular season in which only once they managed to breach the parquet of one of the top four of the two groups away (Rieti, on the last day of the clock phase), in the play-offs they have achieved the streak so far. Three away matches, three victories and a new awareness. The condition of Michele Ruzzier, MVP of the play-offs so far, is excellent and if he turns the point guard it’s a good thing for everyone. Reyes is making the adjustment in the wing rotation with the right attitude. He is scoring relatively little (13 points, the fourth on the team behind Brooks, Ruzzier and Candussi) but he is bringing almost nine rebounds to the cause, he takes his shots but without becoming obsessed with individualism.
It’s fair to imagine that Forlì won’t always be able to dish out threes like the other evening but Trieste also has room for growth in an offensive key. Filloy shot 13% from 6.75 in Game 1. How many more times can this happen? In these play-offs so far he had been one of the protagonists. Vildera’s 48% shooting is also unusual, for someone who finishes from underneath. In short, even Trieste can give more in attack.
Tonight’s tests include one on the physical fitness of the two teams. In game 1, Trieste showed that it had more energy than the Romagna players but used five men for at least 26 minutes, squeezing Brooks and Ruzzier beyond 30. However, none of the Forlì players played more than Xavier Johnson’s 28 minutes and a total of seven men were used from Martino for at least 20 minutes. In essence, some Trieste red and white could betray a bit of tiredness if he is held back too long on the parquet. But morale, which has never been so high this season, could prove to be the best of additives.
Tonight there will also be matches 2 between Cantù and Udine for the gold draw and between Fortitudo Bologna and Rieti for the silver draw. For the latter, Trapani and Verona faced each other yesterday in the second round of their series. The Sicilians won 91-69 with 21 points from Notae and the other four men in double figures. Trapani now leads the series 2-0. —
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
