Ferrara beaten after a first half to be forgotten Today the final is played with Napoli (two ball at 12.30)
CERVIA (RA)
After a very low start, Tortona increases the intensity and earns the semi-final (70-58) of the Italian Cup today at 12.30 with Napoli. The Lions cling to the defense, they jump up with shots until they find the feeling with the basket to detach the Kleb.
The Tortonesi suffer from physicality and the second possessions built by the Ferrara long heats, but despite playing badly they know how to stay in the game and wait for the right flame. Mascolo finds himself (14 points) and as with Casale, the driving force of the Piedmontese is Fabi (17 points), to be considered the newest weapon for this season finale.
First time horror
Ramondino has the whole roster at his disposal and gives confidence from the two-ball to Fabi, who returned to the field after a long injury and with Casale author of a test of great impact. The start of Ferrara is very strong: even without Hasbrouck (initially kept on the bench) the team plays carefree and the ball turns like a marvel. For the Lions the match is immediately uphill with a 6-0 (with Packer’s dunk) which forces Ramondino to call timeout. Tortona does not play badly, but does not enter a shot and after five minutes it is 0/11. The 10-0 break is soon packed. Bertram looks for a bit of freshness from the bench and finally the first basket from the field comes from Ambrosin in arrest and shooting.
The disastrous first quarter offensive of the bianconeri is however supported by the defense that limits Ferrara, unable to make the most of the Piedmontese blackout (6-14). D’Ercole unlocks Tortona from the long run, Ferrara creates many extra possessions with Fantoni and Badassarre without turning them into baskets. After 16 ‘Kleb leads 20-16 with the Lions remaining in the race from the line.
The show remains miserable until the long siren with the teams competing to lose the ball. Tortona has the merit of placing a break with Mascolo (4 consecutive points) which is even worth overtaking (26-25).
Route change
After the offensive sterility of the first half, in the second half we witness another match split by the long shot of the Lions. Back on the Cervia parquet and the cyclone Fabi is unleashed on the Kleb. The Argentine scores eleven points (three bombs) which give a good margin (39-33). The difference in the third period is that, by clinging to one’s own game system and continuing to keep the intensity high, the baskets arrive with more continuity. Hasbrouck is not there, enters the game and keeps Ferrara alive. Vencato (50-45) responds to the two bombs at the end of the period by D’Ercole, then rises to the chair under the basket Baldassarre who brings the tie back. The defense of the leaders is the factor of the partial of 7-0 and Tortona continuously approaches to cross the finish line. Fabi, the best in Tortona, sends the Lions to the semi-finals from the free players today at lunchtime with Napoli. A playoff starter between two A1 aspirants.