Virtus Basket Molfetta wins Game 2 of the semi-finals: Orlandina beat 85-79
MOLFETTA – You can’t go to Pala Poli. This also applies to Capo d’Orlando who, for the second time this season, fails to play his game to the end in Molfetta, finding a determined, determined Virtus, attentive in defense and concrete in attack. Seventy-two hours after the match at the Infodrive Arena, it was La who prevailed in front of a spectacular audience Virtus Basketball Molfetta For 85-79, equalizing the scores in Game 2. Everything will be decided on Sunday, in Game 3, again in Sicily, again against Capo d’Orlando. The match is tough, tight and uncertain until the last second, characterized by continuous overtaking and counter-overtaking. In short, not for the faint of heart. It is certainly a different Virtus from the one seen 72 hours earlier in Sicily. Coach men Carolillo they don’t make a mistake in their approach and after just thirty seconds they take the lead with a triple Calisi. A minute and a half later the home team made it 3-3 again with a three-point shot. Aramburu, Ant And Hay they allow the blue and white to remain glued to their opponents and at 10-10 the captain scores again who shortly after gives a delightful assist to Paglia. The entrance of Sirakov makes itself felt: at the end of the first quarter it is the Bulgarian who takes the team by the hand, allowing them to finish ahead of the team after the first 10 minutes. 20-17. Sirakov scores again at the start of the second quarter with a triple, triggering, however, the immediate reaction of the visitors who first get within 1 of Virtus and then complete the overtaking at 23-24. It is one of the crucial moments of the match and this time it is Virtus who is not surprised: Glory and again Sirakov with a masterful three-point realization bring Molfetta to +4. With a new impetuous response, Orlandina regains the tie at 30-30 and then goes behind again after yet another triple from Sirakov. And it is he again at the end of the third quarter who gives his teammates breathing room, finding another three points that are worth the 38-36. The third quarter is alive and lit, the one in which, second after second, the blue and white victory matures. Before making the pressure felt again, Capo d’Orlando concedes the first four points of Virtus Molfetta thanks to Aramburu and Stefanini. The guests’ draw is just around the corner and materializes at 44-44, still led by Jasaitis, Gatti and Moltrasio. If Infodrive’s three-point percentages remain very high as always, Sirakov’s percentages are equally high and he continues to score points: his triple was 47-44. Shortly after he imitates Gloria perfectly for a Virtus advantage that doesn’t take off. Orlandina is still there and reaches the draw again at 54-54. Everything has to be done again for the hosts who don’t give up and at the end of the third quarter they find a precious +4 after the goals of Calisi and Gloria. The penultimate partial of 62-59 does not leave Carolillo’s men calm, but they can no longer be reached. They grind out the game and score a further 23 points until the end of the match. In the middle, the continuous attacks of Capo d’Orlando cleverly kept at a distance by the triples of Paglia and Stefanini, while Aramburu scored the +10 basket at 78-68. The guests’ last gasp was of no use as Sirakov earned repeated fouls in his favor and subsequently proved lethal from the line. The second round between Virtus Molfetta and Orlandina Basket ends on 85-79 leaving the final verdict to Game 3, which on Sunday will decide the second finalist, the one who will face Ragusa.
Virtus Basket Molfetta Infodrive Orlandina Basket
1st quarter 20 17
2nd quarter 38 36
3rd quarter 62 59
4th quarter 85 79
Scoreboards:
Virtus Basketball Molfetta: Aramburu 12, Sirakov 25, Calisi 10, Stefanini 8, Formica 4, Paglia 14, Gloria 12, Giorgini 0, Sadreika 0, Mezzina none, Annese none, Plantamura none. All. Carolillo.
Infodrive Orlandina Basketball: Carida 4, Jasaitis 12, Gatti 20, Mascherpa 5, Moltrasio 10, Palermo 9, Favali 4, Marini L. 12, Agbortabi 3, Mentonelli 0. All. Bolignano.
