Stosa fought for 40 minutes but fell at the PalaRavizza in Pavia in the decisive Game 3. A defeat that put an end to Virtus’ season, which still exits the Playoffs with its head held high. Start of contract with teams that put solid defenses on the field right away. Pavia gave the first boost to the match, with three triples from Gravaghi which gave the home team a 16-6 lead. Stosa is unable to find rhythm in attack, while Riso Scotti continues to stretch reaching +14. Dal Maso gave the rossoblu a shock, kicking off an 8-0 run that allowed Virtus to mend the game and close the first quarter at -5, 25-20.
In the second period many errors for both teams, with the defenses getting the better of the attacks. Stosa remains close in scoring but fails to make an impact. Pavia takes advantage of this to maintain their lead and close at +8 halfway through the match thanks to a triple at the siren from the usual Gravaghi for 42-34.
In the third fraction Pavia tries to escape but Virtus remains in contact with the baskets of Dal Maso and Diminic. Around the middle of the quarter, an empty pass from the rossoblu allows the home team to make an advantage that will prove decisive. With the sound of triples, Pavia also reaches +17, a deficit mended by a few baskets from Bartoletti in the final quarter which ends at 66-52. In the last period Riso Scotti is good at managing the advantage. Virtus has a good reaction, they refuse to give up and try to tighten their defense, but the pace of the match is now managed by Hidalgo and his teammates who take home the game and series with the final score of 86-73.
SCOTTI PAVIA RICE – STOSA VIRTUS SIENA 86-73 (25-20; 42-34; 66-52)
PAVIA: Banin, Ferri 3, Apuzzo 7, Stonkus 6, Hidalgo 16, Invernizzi, Spatti 17, Gravaghi 27, Ferretti 10, Pesenato, Ciocca. All. Crystals.
STOSA VIRTUS: Berardi 2, Bolis 7, Bartoletti 16, Dal Maso 11, Laffitte 2, Olleia 9, Costantini 4, Calvellini 2, Diminic 19, Lombardo 1. Coach Ceccarelli.
