A Sunday difficult to forget. Vasto Basket accomplished the mission by conquering the long-awaited promotion to Interregional Serie B. Objective declared since the beginning of the season and became reality this evening when Captain Di Tizio and his companionsthey won the decisive game 3 of the Serie C playoff final (Abruzzo-Molise-Marche).
Making the over 1500 spectators of the PalaBcc explode with joy, capable of dragging the red and whites from the first possession until the final sound of the siren. Two more points, 75-73 which is worth the promotion.
The match – Starting quintets that do not change for the coaches Cazzorla and Marinelli with the latter forced to give up the ex of the day Marinaro, who has been in the pits for weeks due to a shoulder problem. There is the other ex, Rupil, who, as happened in Termoli, repeats himself, breaking the ice also at PalaBcc. Ever higher stakes, an “all or nothing” Sunday, we play point by point with the first heavy basket scored by Grimaldi for the triple of equalizer (8-8). Peluso’s response arrives (11-8), the Molise people cling to Rupil who is difficult to contain (11-14). The Vastesi remain in the wake and place the first partial mini (8-0) completed by Oluic (+5: 19-14). Termoli responds with Tersillo’s three-pointer but PalaBcc lights up when Marino on the sound of the siren he closes the first ten minutes with two precious points (23-20). At the dawn of the second quarter Ianuale makes zero out of two from free throws, Termoli escapes at +5 (26-31), then Ianuale enters the game with his first personal triple of the evening. As at PalaSabetta, the red and whites appear more fearful than their opponents, the ball weighs a lot, not for Oluic and Clark who keep the red and whites afloat, trailing by 3 (34-37) when they return to the locker room.
After the long rest we return to the field with super Clark, five points in the series to which Oluic’s basket must be added (41-42). The Termoli team, however, have a lighter head and score a mini partial (0-7) with Suriano, Caresta and Grimaldi. Among the hosts, the most lucid is Peluso but Mascoli also lights up, first penetrating and then scoring the -2 bomb (47-49) but it’s not enough because on the other side Tersillo is deadly (47-52). Termoli has the possession to even fly to +10, Vasto saves himself and Oluic lights up PalaBcc with another triple (50-54). Mascoli scores one in two (52-54) but on the other side Tersillo is a decision and the half hour ends at 52-57.
The third quarter ended with the bomb of Tersillo also opened the last and decisive quarter with another triple from Termoli’s 4 (52-60). The spark is needed to light up the Vasto Basket, Clark and Oluic dress up as electricians, hot hands to inflame the Vasto fans. Super comeback with a partial of 13-2, Peluso’s triple is even worth +3 (67-64) but Rupil’s three-pointer brings Termoli back to a draw (67-67). With 142 seconds to go the fifth foul is called against Oluic, a very heavy loss for the end of the match. Mascoli makes it two out of two (73-70) but the Molise players even the score with Canistro’s three free throws. Termoli also loses a great protagonist like Rupil and with thirty-three seconds to go the hosts are ahead by just one point (74-73). Guests who waste the opportunity to overtake, possession is in the hands of Clark who makes one out of two, Termoli misses the decisive triple and Vasto flies to Serie B: 75-73.
In 2012 it was Sandro Di Salvatore’s turn, in 2019 it was Giovanni Gesmundo’s turn, this evening history repeated itself. Another Apulian, Max Cazzorla, gave promotion to Vasto Basket who in the summer bet heavily on the coach from Monopoli. A very good choice, the players followed him step by step, exalting his basketball beliefs. He should also be given the credit for having created a granite group, on and off the parquet. The one at PalaSabetta this evening was colored red and white, opening the celebrations for a well-deserved promotion. 30 victories in 33 total days, an almost clear path. Everyone contributed to achieving the goal but the “Big Three” certainly earned a step higher: Clark, Ianuale and Oluic. They literally loomed large throughout the season, resulting in the first success in the red and white for the Paduan point guardthis is the second promotion in Vasto for the two giants after that of 2019. It’s impossible not to applaud Di Tizio too, the captain, in Vasto since 2010, has been decisive in all three promotions in 14 consecutive seasons. The contribution given by Mascoli was also invaluable
A group that speaks a lot of Vasto with “GioGio” Peluso, Marino and Cicchini. Without forgetting the new recruits, all raised on “bread and Vasto Basket”first of all Delle Donne to accompany other babies such as Andreoni, Tana, Bogatsu, D’Annunzio, Ravasini, Leccisi, Della Vecchia, Barricelli and D’Adamo. Infinite joy also for president Giancarlo Spadaccini at the head of a management group that, with great sacrifices, accompanied the boys towards their apotheosis. Sports director Luigi Cicchini also celebratesthe roster built last summer did not need adjustments during the championship, very good choices and successful promotion. Applause also from the mayor Francesco Menna and the sports councilor Carlo Della Penna present at the PalaBcc so as not to miss the promotion. Peaceful invasion on the PalaBcc parquet, a great party that will continue until late in the evening, Vasto Basket has given itself another dream season, the Interregional Serie B is reality.
AIR BASKET TERMOLI – VASTO BASKET: 75-73 (24-20; 34-37; 52-57)
AIR BASKET TERMOLI: Di Diomede 4, Caresta 8, Oberto 4, Rupil 15, Grimaldi, Tersillo 17, Cappella ne, Pereira 0, Pitardi 0, Canistro 6, Suriano 11, Marinaro ne. Coach: Marinelli
VAST BASKETBALL: Clark 21, Peluso 10, Di Tizio 0, Ianuale 6, Oluic 24, Mascoli 11, Cicchini 0, Marino 3, Delle Donne none, Bogatsu none, Andreoni none, Tana none. Coach: Holy shit
Referees: Pratola di Francavilla al Mare (Ch) and Felicione di Atri (Te)
