Basketball – Union Neuchâtel humiliated by Spinelli Massagno

We expected so much better from this attractive Neuchâtel team – without injured Yoan Granvorka – who have been delighting SB League halls for a few weeks now. But on Saturday, in the first semi-final of the final four of the SBL Cup on the side of Montreux, at the Salle du Pierrier, Union did not weigh heavily – and still – against Spinelli Massagno, humiliated 93-59.

Dolphins of Friborg in the league, the Ticino people entered this match perfectly, pounding the racket of Neuchâtel – two faults in less than two minutes for the pivot Daniel Giddens – to sign an impeccable 10/10 on free throws. Lost on the defense of pick and roll, the Union players – and the ghost of Dominic Morris – were already trailing 27-17 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Coming off the bench, Noé Anabir then did a lot of good for his training with five points in a row but like his teammate Selim Fofana – against Vernon Taylor – the winger was helpless when he found himself in the low position against to the assembly Uros Nikolic (39-27). This is the moment his coach, Mitar Trivunovic, chose to take a time out. But that didn’t have the desired effect on his players at all…

After that, Bryan Colon and his teammates lost four balls and were silent for six minutes before halftime. And on the zone defense set up by Trivunovic, Dusan and Marko Mladjan feasted behind the arc and widened the gap (49-27). “We are not in it, we do not play together and we let them shoot at 3 points. It’s not possible to show that,” complained Selim Fofana.

The Union leader surely thought it couldn’t be worse but at the start of the 3rd quarter, the gap grew to 60-32. This time, the dead time was life-saving for Neuchâtel. Bryan Colon scored a shot from mid-range and ramped up the defense. In his wake, Selim Fofana and Kilian Martin gained confidence and after a nice partial 20-5, hope was – a little – back (65-52).

The pivot of Massagno Juwann James, announced very uncertain because touched on the foot – he finally played 15 minutes – however quickly put an end to all suspense at the start of a 4th quarter which turned into a nightmare for the Neuchâtelois (93- 59). Spinelli Massagno, who has never won the SBL Cup before, will face the winner of the other semi-final between Friborg Olympic and the Geneva Lions on Sunday (7 p.m.).