Virtus reassembled in the final, the leaders Montecatini wins at PalaPerucatti
Virtus Siena’s heart is not enough against leaders Aironi Montecatini. After three quarters led by the rossoblu, the 16-0 partial of the spas was decisive and won the match with a score of 67-74.
The visiting team got off to a good start and immediately went 4-0. Lenardon finds the triple, Paunovic responds, but the rossoblu find a 6-0 run (9-6 in the middle of the quarter). Aironi closes the break, but Acea gets into the right gear and brings the advantage in double figures (21-10 to 2 ‘). Dell’Uomo closes the home break, but Olleia replies to the next action. The leaders found two more points, but Acea took home the first quarter with a score of 23-14.
Montecatini recovers up to -5, but Virtus has the right head and brings back the double-digit advantage with the triple from Nepi, the support of Zambonini and the bomb from Bartoletti who is fouled but forgives the mistake in the extra free taking home the 36-21 basket at 2’40 “. Galli from three closes the partial rossoblu, Paunovic shortens the distance from the line, but Nepi scores for +13 (38-25). Incitti’s triple and Lafitte’s 2/2 from the line send the teams to the locker room with a score of 38-29.
Upon returning from the locker rooms, Montecatini immediately found important points and with a set of 8-2 approaches -3 (40-37 at 7’10 “). Olleia and Bartoletti stretch for Virtus which returns to +9 in the middle of the period. Casoni finds the triple of 46-40, then commits a foul on Olleia who scores 1/2 from the line (47-40 at 4 ‘). Giancarli shortens the distance, but Acea defends the advantage and with the triples of Lenardon and Nepi goes to 55-46. Giancarli’s lay up closes the third fraction 55-48.
Airons starts strong at the beginning of the last quarter of the game and with a 14-0 run takes the lead in the match (55-62 at 7’15 “). Nepi ends the break from the arc, but Paunovic scores. Bartoletti’s support is worth -4 for Virtus (60-64 in the middle of the fraction), but Paunovic and Casoni still stretch. Nepi reduces the gap to -6 (62-68). However, Airons finds important points from the line. Zambonin shortens the distance for Virtus who, however, fails to beat the leaders and yield to the spa with a score of 67-74.
ACEA VIRTUS SIENA-AIRONI MONTECATINI 67-74 (23-14; 38-29; 55-48)
ACEA VIRTUS SIENA: Bartoletti 9, Cannoni, Pacciani, Avdiu, Bianchi, Olleia 15, Lenardon 6, Nepi 24, Bruno 4, Zambonin 8, Braccagni 1, Costantini. All. Spinel
HERONS MONTECATINI: Di Nezza, Paunovic 18, Laffitte 11, Galli 3, Dell’Uomo 12, Lupi, Giancarli 9, Lepori, Incitti 11, Casoni 10, Bechini, Puccioni. All. Barsotti