Pavia and Vigevano, race-1 can mark the series

From this evening on to the play-offs. Riso Scotti faces Mestre on the road, Elachem challenges Desio at PalaBasletta

PAVIA

Riso Scotti starts today from the PalaVega of Trivignano the play off against Mestre of the former Pippo Fazioli (ball at two hours 18). Pavia will play on Tuesday garadue in Veneto (two-ball at 20.30), to return to Pavia on Friday for garatre (two-ball at 21). Pavia recovers D’Alessandro and Calzavara, but Diego Corral will still be a spectator. «We have included Lollo in the mechanisms of the group, since he has been absent for a month – explains coach Ugo Ducarello – we are in Mestre loaded for an important appointment such as the playoffs. We are at the best moment of the season and we must face it with serenity and determination ”. In this phase of the season he doesn’t just count the technical part, but also the nervous one. «The emotional factor plays a decisive role – underlines the Sicilian coach – the competitive spirit, the desire to win, the determination have an important role, in addition of course to the technical and tactical aspect. I told the team in the last meeting that the best moment has come for a group that has worked a lot. We have to have fun in an intelligent and positive way, win to continue in the series ». The return of D’Alessandro, the addition of two external experts such as Sorrentino and Quartieri, the growth of Calzavara, the reconstruction of the defensive wall, in short, Pavia is ready. «Mestre is a talented team, which is dangerous in every department – concludes Ducarello – Bortolin is out of category, with experience in Serie A, he has excellent hands but Mestre is not only him. Attention to Petrucci, who won the Serie B, but to keep an eye on the former Fazioli, Casagrande, Drigo and Pinton. We will have to contain their one-on-one and be careful of offensive rebounds. Garauno? It is the most important one for those who play at home and we must put pressure on them ».

here they existed

Today is the big day for Vigevano basketball too. The play offs begin: game 1 at home with Desio. «We closed the regular season – says coach Paolo Piazza – with an excellent second place, but the accounts are made in the end. The playoffs are another league, which this year will have a large number of games. Potentially, those who reach the end can do fifteen races, because they go to face three series of five games, and to pass they must win three. For this reason, in the playoffs you need to have an attitude aimed at winning every match, but also be good at the end of the match to prepare for the next one ». The opponent facing the ducals today at 6pm is Desio. «We meet – continues Piazza – a newly promoted team, but also a historic club that played in the A1 series. Desio followed a similar path to ours when we were promoted from C, winning all the races. Almost all the players have been confirmed, with the addition of some important elements that have made it possible to create this mix: they are an expert team with elements that have made this championship several times such as Leone, Gallazzi, Vanghelov, Sirakov and Giarelli. They have great knowledge of the game, widespread quality and talent especially in attack and always know where to go. It is a well built team and well trained by a young coach ». –

MAURIZIO SCORBATI

ANDREA BALLONE