Head and a lot of heart. Acqua S. Bernardo wins in Udine (89-92), redeems the defeat in game three and flies to the final. But what a tension. For a race for strong hearts. Won and lost many times, but then resolved in overtime. And now Serie A will be played in the match against Trieste and with the home advantage in favour.
The news. It’s a different Cantù compared to game three that appears on the pitch at PalaCarnera. Cagnardi recovers Bucarelli, who has been feverish for a few days, and launches him into the quintet. What made the difference, in addition to a more impactful and attentive defense, was Hickey’s super performance. At the first mini-interval the score was 20-22 with S. Bernardo always ahead.
Udine is on the right at the start of the second quarter and keeps their opponent in check for some time, but towards the end – thanks also to the rotations – it is the blue and white who find the decisive break which takes everyone to the long interval at 35-45. Eighteen points from a stratospheric Hickey, the only one between the two teams in double figures.
Moraschini grows and the American point guard drops a bit in the third period, the one that two days ago was lethal for S. Bernardo. And this time, despite Apu’s partial advantage, Cantù still manages to keep his head ahead (56-60), also thanks to some open and well-constructed shots missed by the Friulians.
Now it’s a real game, even if tiredness clouds the ideas of both teams, with the defenses leading the attacks. Udine makes an impact in the 34th minute (62-62) and overtakes immediately afterwards with a triple from Monaldi. With 3’35” to go, a foul on Monaldi on a three-pointer brings the score to 71-66 with a four-point play. For S. Bernardo it is the worst moment of the whole challenge.
Maximum Udine advantage (74-68 with 2’40” to go) at the hands of the former player: Matteo Da Ros. From the break to now Cantù has only put together 23 points. The blue and whites come out of the time out well and in an amen they equal the score at 74 with two consecutive three-pointers from Baldi Rossi.
It’s time for S. Bernardo who returns to defend strongly, scores a 10-0 run and 42″ from the last siren claims success (74-78). And instead, great basketball magic is Apu who performs the miracle and who hits Alibegovic at the siren and goes to extra time.
Overtime with all triples, at least initially (84-84 after two minutes). Cantù seems to have the game in hand with 1’30” to go: +2 (85-87) and ball in hand. Udine doesn’t score anymore, but they don’t give up and with 36″ to go they still have the ball to equalize or overtake. Real defense from Brianza, Alibegovic makes a mistake, foul on Moraschini and the 2/2 which means 85-89 at -17”.
On the other side Caroti goes away and scores from below at -11”, the time out belongs to S. Bernardo who comes out with a play on Baldi Rossi, who is fouled by Da Ros. First free throw missed, second not: 87-90. Bucarelli fouls Alibegovic 7 seconds from time: inside the first and also the second (89-90). Foul on Moraschini, who goes to the line: the former Venezia player puts them both. Bucarelli recovers the ball from Udine’s attempt and closes the match: 89-92.
Hickey finishes with 26 points and Moraschini with 17.
