The Biancorossi host a fierce battle within their friendly walls Mantua, only 4 points away in the standings; however, the watchword for the people of Piacenza is victory. Mindful of the convincing match in the first round and especially after a row of negative results, the Bakery is required today to unleash a high-level performance, at least to bring the contest point to point up to the final minutes and give the numerous fans an exciting match.
Bakery Piacenza-Staff Mantova, the race
Coach Campanella ranks in the quintet Bonacini, Raivio, Lucarelli, Donzelli and Morse while Valli responds with Maspero, Stojanovic, Cortese, Thompson and Iannuzzi. Ready via Maspero steals the ball and scores a comfortable lay up undisturbed for the first guest advantage. The two teams do not find the right flicker to run away and find in Donzelli and Thompson two almost perfect scorers. Donzelli in particular is the author of a first set to scream: 10 points, the result of a 2/2 from long distance and 2/2 from inside the area, to which 5 rebounds must be added. These first 10 minutes give a glimpse of the intensity and rhythm of a real playoff, but neither team manages to dig a small groove; captain Marco Perin realizes two free from the line that sanction the initial 23-19. In the second quarter it is the Bakery that tries the extension with a couple of valuable stops and shooting of the usual Raivio but Mantua relies on the talent of the ’97 class Stojanovic who scores 6 points in a row, impacting the match on 27 even after 3 minutes of game. From this moment on Marco Laganà takes the chair, sending an infinite series of balls into the area that lead Iannuzzi to repeatedly punish from under the basket; to them is added the American Thompson, lethal from the arc (4/7), and the gap of 9 points created in favor of the guests is soon explained. A two-pointer by Lucarelli makes it possible to close the gap and marks the end of the second quarter on a score of 36-43. The Bakery, returning from the locker rooms with the same starting quintet, brings out a burst of pride: the Italians Bonacini, Lucarelli and Donzelli allow them to return to -3, at 40-43, and put the game back on the right tracks. From that moment on it is a Lucarelli Show (26 final points for him): continuous bombardment from outside and inside the area and the Bakery puts its head back on 49-47, after 2 minutes of play in the penultimate quarter. The PalaBakery is in raptures for the house idol Raivio who makes a triple falling off the pitch; however, an omnipresent Iannuzzi responds to the naturalized German American who crushes with arrogance. The game continues to find no real pretender to final victory; Captain Perin tries to play the decisive charge and closes the third quarter with a very heavy triple that is worth overtaking at 66-64. The decisive set opens with bad news for Piacenza: unfortunately Perin suffers an injury that we hope will not be serious. Lucarelli continues his personal duel with the guests but unfortunately it is not enough: the long host Iannuzzi realizes, in the space of a few actions, three consecutive dunks that silence the hopes of the red and white and that launch Mantua up to a heavy +10. From then on Piacenza does not find the right attitude to slow down the advance guest, with Laganà who produces assists and Thompson who achieves on time, quickly sliding the contest towards the final 81-89 that gives the 2 points to the Stings (Bakery Piacenza ).
Bakery Piacenza-Mantua Staff, the match report
BAKERY PIACENZA: Bonacini 9, Lucarelli 26, Raivio 13, Donzelli 15, Morse 4, Sacchettini 6, Chinellato, Czumbel, El Agbani ne, Perin 8, Balestri ne, Ringressi ne.
Coach: Federico Campanella
STINGS MANTOVA: Mastellari 3, Lagana 17, Iannuzzi 15, Thompson 28, Cortese 8, Stojanovic 16, Maspero 2, Basso, Verazzo ne, Spizzichini ne, Lo ne.
Coach: Giorgio Valli
Partial: 23-19, 36-43, 66-64, 81-89
