There is no doubt about Ragusa’s victory, which dominated game 1, beating Pesaro by 12 points. First home match; it is the first of the series, with the advantage of the field, and the opportunity to win, in the best of three matches, promotion to the national Serie B. After the disappointment of Capo d’Orlando, Virtus faces Pesaro at home who have a similar path to that of the hosts. Arena almost at capacity and scorching heat. First half with super concentrated defense from Ragusa and Pesaro who prefer to place themselves wider. It ends 17 to 14 with a predominance of Ragusa who however makes a lot of mistakes (eight missed shots in the first 4 of the game) but on the other side the defense pushes and closes Pesaro’s attack lines. The attack works when the ball turns quickly, the reactivity of the Virtussini players seems greater and the 1-to-1 defense is suffocating. In the second half we proceeded point by point with Pesaro putting the lead on a couple of occasions. From midway through the half, Ragusa began to push. Gaetano and Brown repel the attacks but it is from the seventh minute that the gear changes; with Piscetta, Brown and Vavoli again who supported by the team that runs well with Cioppa as director, puts a small advantage that reaches +7; we arrive at the big break with Virtus leading 39 to 35. To be honest, a “strange” match; it seems that the teams are still traveling with the handbrake on. The third quarter was also largely characterized by balance without great flashes. It’s Captain Sorrentino, once again waking up the team; bomb, followed by another shot by Ianelli from the big arc and an impossible falling basket again by the captain. The last quarter begins with Ragusa leading 56 to 47. Virtus changes defense; as a man, the scoring widens and Pesaro has difficulty entering. Ragusa increases their lead and after 3 minutes they are at +13, 63 to 50. Pesaro time out. The music, however, changes little; Gaetano, Vavoli and Sorrentino dictate the rules. At 72 to 57 for Ragusa with 2’58 to go the moment of greatest difficulty arrives. Defense and technical foul for protests against Brown, but Pesaro doesn’t take advantage. After less than twenty seconds another foul and shot made by Maruca (2+1) and Virtus bench coach. A 4-point game this time in Pesaro takes the score to -11. This time Virtus doesn’t let itself be swallowed up by ghosts, the match practically ends; there is time for Gaetano’s point number 24 and another free throw scored by Pesaro with Iovisotto. Pesaro gives up their weapons with ball in hand and lets the clock tick down, the final score is 74 to 62. The key, the change of defense at the beginning of the third quarter, Pesaro came out badly. “A match that we didn’t play excellently but well at times,” says coach Recupido at the end of the match. “A game of chess, they are a team of great talents. We are here. We want to play until the end.” Game 2 away on Sunday.
THE SCORESHEET
Virtus Ragusa-Loreto Pesaro 74-62
Virtus Ragusa: Brown 10, Piscetta 2, Epifani 3, Cioppa 3, Simon 7, Tumino ne, Vavoli 12, Sorrentino 8, Gaetano 24, Mirabella ne. Calvi ne, Ianelli 5All.: Recupido
Loreto Pesaro: Rupil 6, Lovisotto 12, Battisti, Cipriani, Maruca 13, Tombari, Tognacci 6, Broglia 6, Martinez 10, Casoni 9. Coaches: Foglietti
Referees Leggiero from San Tammaro, Bombace from Giuliano di Campania
Partials: 17-14; 39-35; 56-47; 74-62
