The Self Group Millennium Basket wins its 15th consecutive victory, and opens the Serie B playoff final in the best possible way. Coach Jacopo Da Villa’s boys prevail in Rome, in the first act of the series with the Giovani e Tenaci: a hard-earned but deserved success, on a difficult pitch, which offers the Paduans not one but two home match points to win promotion to Serie A.
A tight match from the very beginning, with an opening quarter that went point by point between back and forth. Benedetti replies to Valentini (8 points for both in the first 10 minutes), and the guests are ahead at the first break by just one lead, with the 12-13 score scored by Raourahi.
It is at the start of the second quarter that the Self Group tries to further raise the level of intensity: the pressing weapon is fundamental to find the recoveries and the baskets of the first stretch, with a good team game that in the end will see four athletes in double digit. At halftime PMB’s lead increased to 8 points, at 23-31.
The third quarter starts again with the reaction of the hosts, who did well to get back to -4 (31-35), but the Paduans withstood the blow and restarted, always maintaining the advantage: at the last break the scoreboard read 41-47 .
It is the decisive moment of the match. The Giovani e Tenaci try again, but on the other side the Self Group is good at responding blow for blow, and still finding a new extension with their defense. With 5 minutes left, Bargo’s basket is worth +12 (45-57), and now Millennium sees the finish line. It will end 51-64, a result which, as mentioned, offers two home match points: the first will take place on Saturday 11 May at 5.00 pm, at the Piombino Dese sports hall (free entry), and if Roma were to draw it would go to town on Sunday, this time in Torreselle.
Giovani e Tenaci Roma vs Self Group Millennium Basket 51-64 (12-13, 23-31, 41-4)
Young and Tenacious Rome: Trulli 2, Bifolchi, Benvenuti 13, Topo 2, Boganelli 6, Garabello, Galvelli, Giuranna 13, Valentini 15. Coach Rossetti.
Self Group Millennium Basket: Bargo 10, Foffano 12, Gamri, Faccioli, Raourahi 18, Benedetti 14, Pelizari 6, Gallina, Leita 4. All. Da Villa.
REFEREES: Of Piazza and Bancalana.
Ugh. PMB press
