Orlandina beats Molfetta 69-61 and flies to the final with Ragusa. Gatti decisive

L’Orlandina confirms itself as unsurpassable at home, where it has lost only one match out of twenty, behind Molfetta in the second half and wins a deserved promotion final against Ragusa. Big celebration for a noisy staircase, which dragged the paladins into the key phase of the match. Gatti was decisive, scoring 22 points, with the Bolignano team capable of dealing with Marini’s foul problems with the application of an excellent Agbortabi. Now the double challenge against the Iblei, already beaten in the two previous seasons, with the advantage of the home pitch, which could be decisive.

The news. Quintet composed of Palermo, making their debut in this series at home, Jasaitis, Gatti, Moltrasio and Marini, from Puglia with Paglia, Calisi, Formica, Stefanini and Aramburu. The pivots started off strong with a 2-2 score between Marini and Aramburu. Stefanini commits two fouls but scores the central triple in the 3rd minute. Molfetta is immediately in the bonus, two fouls also for Marini (7-7). Hot challenge, Calisi equalizes from below after Gatti’s free throws. Score 12-11 with Gatti’s layup, Formica hits from the arc for the guest’s lead (12-14 in the 7th minute). It’s raining triples: on target Palermo and Sirakov with Molfetta who extends with the lunge of Aramburu (15-19), who suffers a technical for excessive celebration. The quarter ends with Agboratabi’s basket and Sirakov’s free throws (18-21).

In the second quarter Marini and Mascherpa return to the field and give the assist for -1 to Jasaitis. Triple from the corner by Sirakov (20-24). Third foul for Marini, reaction with a triple Jasaitis. Gloria scores from below (23-26). Tempers heat up on the pitch. Gloria scores in the paint and stops in defense, Mascherpa scores the minus one with the clock stopped (27-28). Stefanini makes the second triple but commits the third foul. Orlandina turns the situation around with Mascherpa’s gypsy strike in the area and Caridà’s triple (32-31). The former Avellino player scores the plus three. Sirakov also gets three fouls at Molfetta. The first half ends with Gloria’s free throws and Jasaitis’ assist for Agbortabi who sets the score at 36-33 in the 20th minute.

We start again with Gatti’s support on the glass and a lateral triple from Aramburu. After three minutes Orlandina gets a bonus with the fourth foul by Marini and technical to coach Bolignano for protests (38-37). Aramburu scores the free pass which is immediately canceled out by captain Palermo’s triple. A precariously balanced invention by Caridà scores the plus four then the nerves go out. Caridà himself scores the triple from eight meters but the referee notes a twenty-four second infringement. Paglia’s breakthrough is also the fourth foul for the Apulian winger. Agbortabi achieves the flying tap-in of +6 (45-39), Molfetta ties things up with Aramburu and Sirakov. Counterbreak of 0-8 closed by Gloria’s support in the 28th minute. 5-0 reaction entirely from Gatti (triple and 2/2 to free throws). At the end the bomb with the scoreboard from Moltrasio brings Orlandina to 53-47 in the 30th minute amid general enthusiasm.

Last ten minutes inaugurated by the left-handed jumper of Cats (55-47). Aramburu scores 16 personal points from beyond the arc. Four fundamental points come from Agbortabi and Favali together with two consecutive defensive recoveries that bring the home team close to a double-digit lead (59-50). Gloria well served scores the minus six, Gatti’s triple pushes the paladins again (62-54). Agbortabi goes out for fouls with 3’30” left. Caridà stops the guest’s three-pointer attempt but as the action continues the former Avellino player is challenged for a foul (62-57) at 180 seconds. Marini inflames the public with the lunge, Aramburu scores the minus four from eight metres. Gatti supports the plus six with a minute to go. The match is decided with a triple from Gatti which goes around the rim and comes out and a recovery from Moltrasio. Final 69-61 in the jubilation of the home crowd, the final will be all Sicilian between Orlandina and Ragusa.