Pino Corvo has always been used to challenges. In a few days he will leave for Pesaro, where he will be involved in the European over 50 basketball championships wearing the Italy shirt. And he arrives as reigning champion after the title won in Malaga in 2022. In the team he will once again find old friends, who like him have played on Serie A pitches for years. Between one training session and another, to keep in form, answers the cell phone with constant frequency. Also because he is ready for a further challenge, this time as a sports manager, director or general manager, after the experiences of recent years. Corvo is above all an attentive observer of the dynamics of basketball. Where Campania, with Napoli remaining in the top flight and Scafati and Avellino promoted to A2, he becomes even more of a protagonist. And where the South, with Trapani’s arrival in League A and Brindisi’s desire for redemption, is therefore called to play a leading role.
With the scudetto in Milan and Avellino’s promotion to A2, the championships come to an end. It can take stock of the verdicts that have taken place and the future arrangements.
«Naples and Scafati will certainly have even larger budgets than last year, they are consolidating at an organizational level, I am very confident in their work. In Trapani, Antonini demonstrated with facts that he doesn’t skimp on investing significant sums to set up the roster, when you have the chance to compete with bigger budgets you’re more likely to play for it. To support the budget, the choices must be confirmed by the field. I expect a mid-table team from Trapani at least. So we can say that the South will truly be a protagonist in League A.”
Brindisi and Nardò will be at the starting line of the next A2. And Avellino will be there to keep them company.
«Brindisi will certainly be the protagonist, after signing Bucchi he gave a strong signal of his intentions: to aim for a return to the top flight. President Marino is excited, I consider her one of the favorites for this championship. Nardò, having a different budget than Brindisi, puts it one step below, but playing in the stadiums of the South won’t be easy for anyone. And Nardò has the ambition to consolidate itself.”
Then there is Avellino. You, who over the years have been their adversary several times and have closely observed their path, do you think they can repeat themselves upstairs too?
«Avellino achieved a feat, at the beginning of the year given the roster and investments they were among the favourites. Despite having performed in the first part of the championship below their potential, they then demonstrated in the play-offs when their values can truly be seen that they are among the strongest. They played an extraordinary semi-final, overturning Pielle Livorno from 2 to 0. Then another feat in the final with Montecatini. They deserve credit for believing in it. For me they are not a surprise.”
After the reform, the national B championship has risen dramatically in level: for the South, there will be many places at the starting line. How difficult has it become to face this championship?
«Challenging from all points of view, from the logistical to the economic one: many difficulties in the process of building the roster, very expensive costs to face, very long championship, distant trips. It’s absolutely not an easy championship.”
It’s strange at the moment to see a place like Caserta at the starting line of the B2. What prospects can their project have, also thanks to a rediscovered Pala Piccolo?
«Caserta will be the favorite if it participates in the B2 championship, and will also be the favorite if it registers in B1. With such an audience and such an ambitious and present club, it can only do well.”
Having finished his experience at Virtus Arechi, he will now leave for the European over category with Italy. We know that he has received offers to marry a new adventure. How important is it to choose the right one?
«First of all we need to have the right offers, at the moment I’m waiting, rather than evaluating I’m waiting for the right opportunity. I would like and need to restart a well-structured project to recharge and start again after a difficult season from a personal and team point of view. There is a great desire for rebirth and restart.”
