Great comeback of De ‘Longhi, who from -15 comes to equalize and 8 seconds from the end is still -1. Russell loses the overtime ball
BOLOGNA. Two to zero Virtus. But applause and down the metaphorical hat for this De ‘Longhi, able in 24 hours to learn from her mistakes, to react mentally rather than technically, to show that Segafredo will also be more profound, talented, bigger, used to very high profile matches. , but that with the right approach nothing is impossible.
Because you just need a lot of motivation combined with as much self-denial to not succumb when your opponents touch +15 (58-43 at 26 °, with Hunter maramaldeggiare approaching the iron) and to return scaring the Black Vu to the end. Then, of course, the decisive flash is missing, the clarity to place the paw, the wickedness (in a good way) to take advantage of the most cynical opportunities. But what more can you ask of a team with the lowest budget among the magnificent eight in the playoffs, with the two pivots caught in A2, with the least physical starting guard duo in all of Serie A? Nothing, it already seems a miracle to have come to a possession by breaking through the Bolognese PalaFiera.
Compared to game 1 we see a different De ‘Longhi, more toned, which attacks opponents and the ball, which doubles, which intercepts. There is a Mekowulu of applause, at the most in his career between points, blocks, plays to effect. There is Logan’s coolness in hitting heavy baskets. There is the desire for redemption along the way of Chillo and Russell. There is even a Vildera who has understood her role against Theodosic. In short, enough to get a good +2 at the first siren (16-18), to contain the damage in the middle of the race (41-33) and to recover from the aforementioned -15 up to 73 even with Imbrò’s crazy frontal triple, starting a long final sprint in which the details, as usual, make the difference.
And unfortunately not for Treviso, which loses Chillo and Logan (fouls) and which relies on smallball with Sokolowski 4 tactician to sow doubts along the virtussian path. In hindsight, who knows what would have happened if in the last minutes of the match snipers from the line like Sokolowski and Imbrò had not failed a total of three very heavy free throws – especially the 2/3 of the captain on Pajola’s fifth foul with 10 seconds left – or if Lockett and Russell hadn’t committed a fatal distraction on the final goal-throw, at -3 (86-83) 7 seconds from the gong, handing possession of the potential equalizer into the all-too-skilled and quick hands of Markovic.
It will never be known with absolute certainty, even though there is still a little bitter aftertaste in a game in which Treviso can complain little, going vice versa proud of having made the giants tremble in black and white. With these premises, nothing is precluded on Monday evening, at Palaverde, for game 3: it could be the final greeting to a fantastic group, or it could be a gift for fans (absent, unfortunately), sponsors, consortium members and managers.
There is nothing left to do but wait to know what Destiny has decided for this series. That, however it ends, will be difficult to forget for those who wear the Treviso Basket shirt.
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