Liofilchem takes Game 1 of the quarter-finals against Sant’Antimo on their debut in the playoffs, winning a match with two sides: the first 20 minutes in total balance (first quarter better than Roseto while in the second Campania comeback), in the third and fourth periods Rosetan monologue, The Biancazzurri won above all in the defensive phase, approaching the match very well and even reaching a double-digit lead on several occasions; in attack, however, the usual well-tested collective, with an 11/24 from three points which made the difference, as did the splendid crowd at the PalaMaggetti. Great joy for the blue and white group, a deserved and desired victory: Thioune out, 4 white and blues in double figures, best scorer an excellent Marco Santiangeli with 15 points in 25 minutes, Giordy Durante adds 12, 11 each for Guaiana captain Mantzaris (to whom also adds 6 rebounds and 7 assists).
Roseto starts immediately with his foot on the accelerator, 9-2 after just 3 minutes with two triples from Guaiana and Petracca. Gandini calls the first time out also to adapt to the local area. The entry of Mennella and Kamperidis shakes the Campania a bit but Liofilchem is there above all mentally and takes the maximum advantage of 6, 14-3. Gramenzi begins to rotate his players, Santiangeli creates havoc in the Neapolitan area and we go to the first mini-time at 22-7. At the beginning of the second quarter the Biancazzurri did not lose their competitive spirit and the gap remained unchanged even if the guests began to score regularly: the guest’s break came between the 16th and 20th with an 11-3 which brought Dri and his teammates back to the minus two of the interval.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, Roseto returns to being concrete and effective: in an amen Tamani and Durante score 12, 50-38 at the 15th, with Sant’Antimo managing to mend a little bit only thanks to Dri. At the end of the period the scoreboard reads 63-50. Last ten minutes in which Santiangeli and his teammates widened the gap, Sant’Antimo doesn’t give up but Game 1 is in the safe and in the final there is also time for Brian Dervishi’s two points. Reset everything because in 48 hours we will be back on the pitch: Game 2 Tuesday 7 May at 8.45pm again at the PalaMaggetti.
LIOFILCHEM ROSETO – GEKO PSA SANT’ANTIMO 85-68 (22-7, 32-30, 63-50)
ROSETO: Durante 12, Dervishi 2, Maiga 5, Donadoni 9, Petracca 6, Guaiana 11, Tamani 6, Mantzaris 11, Klyuchnyk 8, Santiangeli 15 Coach. Gramenzi.
SANT’ANTIMO: Di Camillo 2, Dri 14, Digno, Gallo 18, Mennella 13, Quarisa 10, Kamperidis 2, Peluso, Ius, Cantone 9, D’Apice, Stendardo Coach. Gandini
