TRIESTE THIRD A2 FINAL IN 8 YEARS – Trieste is the only one among the finalists to have reached the title series twice in recent times, among other things consecutively. In 2017, challenging Virtus Bologna, losing 3-0; the following year again in the final but this time with a 3-0 victory over Casale Monferrato, thus gaining promotion.
CANTU’S SECOND IN THREE YEARS – Cantù’s precedent in the final dates back to 2022, in the series with Scafati: 2-0 for the Campania team in the first two matches, Cantù making an impact by exploiting the field factor, and then giving in in Game 5 from the result already scored at halftime (40-19).
CANTÙ-TRIESTE, ONLY ONE PRECEDENCE IN THE SEASON – Only one previous season between the two teams: on 17 February, in Desio, on the second day of the clock phase, home victory of Acqua S. Bernardo over Trieste 96-92, in a balanced and high-scoring match. The free throws by Moraschini and Young and a basket by Hickey were the deciding factors for the Brianza team in the final. Best scorer for Acqua S.Bernardo was Solomon Young, with 23 points (8/13 from the field), accompanied by 4 rebounds and 6 fouls suffered; Moraschini (18), Baldi Rossi (15) and Bucarelli (11 points) also scored in double figures. For the Giulians, without Reyes, 23 points each from Eli Brooks and Ariel Filloy, 15 with 9 assists from Michele Ruzzier.
CANTÙ LOWERS THE PACE – Acqua S.Bernardo has a 4-2 record in the playoffs, in a draw where they have curiously only faced teams from Friuli Venezia Giulia (Cividale in the quarter-finals, Udine in the semi-finals, now Trieste). Brianzoli unbeaten at home at Pala FitLine (4-0). Compared to the regular season, Cantù scores less in the playoffs (75.9 per game, instead of 85.2), but he has also reduced the number of shots (62.8 shots attempted per game, compared to 65.3 in the regular season; 16.9 free throws, compared to 17.6 ). The reduction in points conceded was clearer (72.5, compared to 78.6 in the regular season). Overall, at home, coach Cagnardi’s team had 16 victories and 4 defeats (against Treviglio, on the neutral ground of Casale Monferrato, Trapani and Urania Milano in the first phase; Rimini in the clock phase). On the road, the Brianza team currently has a 65% win rate (record 13-7).
PLAYOFF AND TRIESTE CHANGES GEAR – After a regular season of 18-14 (fifth place in the Red Group), coach Christian’s team radically changed gear in the playoffs, with 6 successes in 6 matches, 4 of which were away. In the playoffs the Giulians score 82.0 points per game (a figure slightly higher than the 81.1 in the regular season), with a better 3-point percentage (37%, compared to 33%). The red and whites’ big improvement occurred in defense (70.7 points conceded per game, compared to 78.6 in the regular season). In general, the Giuliani’s home record is 14-4 (defeats against Fortitudo Bologna and Rimini in the first phase, Luiss Roma and Urania Milano in the clock); the external one is 10 wins and 10 losses.
Ugh. LNP press
