Tortona starts strong with a great Cannon (20 points), then Naples grows and reaches the final thanking Mayo
CERVIA (RA)
With a very high head after having led almost the entire race and an extra time decided in a daring sprint, Bertram greets the Italian Cup one step away from the final. Tortona starts like a rocket, then undergoes the return of Naples led by Mayo who begins quietly, but becomes the protagonist in the final with 22 points. For the Lions a tactically high level race, with many defenses changed to confuse the GeVi and a great Cannon (20 points). When the American went out for 5 fouls in overtime, the team lost the soul of the group. A semi-final dominated by defenses, it is no coincidence that the two teams that suffer less in A2 faced each other.
Departure launched
The approach to the Tortona cup was complicated in the quarterfinals with Ferrara, while against the GeVi the beginning is of a different kind. Ramondino does not change the starting quintet with Fabi as a small forward and in the rear with the man-zone alternation he manages to take away the pace from the Campania region. Immediately from the first possessions, Bertram wants to create an advantage in the low post with Mascolo against Mayo. Tortona has another face than the quarters. Naples is confused and the triples of Fabi and Sanders, together with the support of Cannon, mark the first quarter (22-13). Sacripanti inserts Uglietti in place of Mayo to have more physicality in defense, but the start of the second period is dominated by the size of Cannon who launches the Bertram on +13. The attack of the Lions does not force and works for the whole 24 seconds, Napoli shows signs of awakening with the three small ones on the field: Monaldi raises the pace with five points and Uglietti puts it in the long run. The GeVi does not take advantage of many second possessions and in the end Tortona still closes the first half ahead 36-28.
Mayo factor
It starts again with the same tactical theme with the Lions looking for the advantage in the low post and finding the right passing lines. Then Ramondino’s boys freeze and Naples is dragged by its Americans. Parks’ physicality begins to make itself felt along with Mayo’s inspiration who puts himself in the game with his penetrations. Tortona’s problems in the implementation phase translate into greater confidence for Naples which places a partial of 18-8 (46-47). After suffering the inertia, Bertram settles a counterpart to start the last period ahead 55-49. The Italian bench of Sacripanti reopens the game and three bombs bring the game back to a tie (58-58). From here on it is a continuous relay, five points signed by Mascolo and Sanders pack the +4 with 3’37 ” from the end. Mayo takes the Naples attack by the hand, Monaldi with a long signing 75-73 for GeVi. Sanders and Mascolo respond blow by blow, but with 50 ”from the end Tortona has to chase (76-75). Severini makes a mistake from the corner, Sanders penetrates without success.
The ending is a unique emotion. Under 5 points (82-77) Mascolo scores from the three-man table and Fabi’s hand from the line does not tremble to take the game to extra time where a rebound battle opens in which no one takes a step back.
Fatigue reigns on the pitch and without Cannon (out for five fouls) Bertram has no warrior. After a penetrating Mayo spell, Mascolo misses from the line and Lombardi hits from the throw-in (90-87). Eventually Mayo’s hand doesn’t tremble from the line and Tortona comes out with great praise from the cup. –