So it gets harder and harder for the Npc who again falls 73-68 in Latina against Cassino. More balanced match than the first but coach Ponticiello’s players were unable to hold the advantage and the former Auletta’s team took advantage of it. Now salvation is getting ever closer for Cassino, while for the Amarantocelesti the nightmare of the second round. Now we return to palaSojourner on May 9th to extend the series.
THE RACE
Shocking start for the NPC at the PalaBorrelli in Scauri. Game 2 starts with an 8-0 for Cassino in less than three minutes. Sulina tries to raise her head with a bomb, but his points are immediately canceled out by Gay’s triple. Moreaux continues from Game 1 to play the good and bad game, at 6:02 the score is 13-5. Cassino avalanche, new triple and maximum advantage +11. Time out Ponticiello. Upon returning to the parquet, the NPC scores 9 points, a break that allows the Amarantocelesti to get back behind, score 16-14. The Dincic factor emerges at 3:04 from the siren with a triple that lets him breathe. The first quarter ends 21 – 18. Sulina’s performance in the first half is very good. For the NPC 2/6 of three.
The first points of the second quarter came after a minute of play. The inertia seems not to have changed, the hosts run and the Rieti people chase. Milosevic first and Truglio then put a bomb each and Cassino returns to +8. Truglio is on hand to make it 31 – 21 with 7 minutes left before half time. For the next 5 minutes little significant happens, until two minutes after the siren when Rieti scores a triple and Cassino responds with the usual Moreaux, remaining at +9, until Zucca’s bomb which brings Ponticiello’s boys back to -6. 46″ from the end of the half Del Sole scores under the basket and is fouled, winning an additional free throw which he however misses. On the reversal in front yet another triple by Gay. The second quarter ends 38 – 31.
It’s still Sulina who takes her teammates by the hand with a new triple at 7:50. In the following action Zucca blocked Moreaux and also scored with a bomb, Rieti gets back to -4. Melchiorri recovers the ball and throws to Sulina who scores the 40 – 38 from two at 6:35. Favorable moment for the Rieti people. At 3:52 it is Sulina (him again) who puts an end to a long phase of errors and confusion on the part of both rosters. The amarantoceleste 27 gives the draw to Rieti, 42 – 42. The NPC puts its nose forward with 2 minutes left in the half. Gay for the new +2 Cassino. Cassar equalizes with two free throws, but coach Alutta’s boys score another triple. Suddenly a rubber band game, there are no owners, and the third quarter ends 51 – 48.
The last quarter begins with an amaranth-celeste counterattack and two points from Markovic. Triple down the line by captain Mattia Da Campo and Rieti at +2. Score 51 – 53, Rieti mini break of 0-5. Amarantocelesti who seem to believe it and continue the attacks, Zucca with a three to the joy of Rieti, but Cassino doesn’t give up and Dincic responds with a bomb. Moreaux is still hurting at NPC. The gap between the two teams widens and Virtus returns to +8 with 1:45 to go. Rieti tries again, but without luck. Melchiorri wins the ball and immediately loses it in a lateral foul, the match practically ends here with the score 73 – 68. SCORESHEET
Photo: Gianluca VANNICELLI ©
