Achille Polonara, a fabulous award
Achille Polonara, the award
There is no better joy than seeing Achille Polonara (Virtus Segafredo Bologna) return to dominate the parquet floors as he has always shown us. The number 33 of the Bolognese team è imposed himself with a performance such as to win the palm of best Italian of the fourteenth round, overcoming competition from Alessandro Gentile (Givova Scafati Basket) and Amedeo Tessitori (Umana Reyer Venezia).
One celebrates the team's victory, the importance for the purposes of the ranking and placement in view of the Frecciarossa Final Eight, but è it is impossible not to stop for a moment to take off one's hat in front of what Achille Polonara did. The reason for è is not è the statistical scoreboard – which we will get to later – as much as the grit with which he faced a far more important obstacle than a simple basketball game; the return to activity è was gradually better, practice after practice, game after game until the home win against Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro. A still limited use – only 20 minutes on the court for the Ancona native – so that he can reinsert himself unhurriedly into the schemes devised by coach Luca Banchi; however, it is precisely his leadership and experience that are dragging the second unit, waiting to carve out a prominent role in the quintet or simply return to one hundred percent of his form. The Polonara seen at Segafredo Arena on Saturday night però simply amazed in efficiency, effectiveness and reminded us how unstoppable he can be: 11 points came with 100 percent from the field thanks to 4/4 from two and the only triple scored in the only attempt he made; the 9 rebounds he captured (3 of them offensive) showed his fearlessness in fighting inside the two paint, also providing Virtus Bologna with useful second chances to increase the turnover in the points item. Finally, he added 3 assists, 1 stoppage and 1 stolen ball to an all-around performance that allowed him to record a 23 in the evaluation figure and a +13 plus/minus.
“Let's say we finished the year in the best way. We still have a long way to go and we don't want to stop here. In the meantime, we enjoy this day off tomorrow and hope that 2024 will be a year full of success and a lot of health” these are the statements of Achille Polonara to the microphones of DAZN after Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s home victory over Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro. Smiling, with the worst behind him and with the knowledge that he has regained confidence also thanks to a united group, tightened around him in the most complicated moment. The words of the class of 1991 exude passion, happiness and look to the future in view of a new year that will putà the team of Bologna in front of commitments not easy. The search for the first place in the standings, the Frecciarossa Final Eight and a return round of the Euroleague to center a return to the play-offs; these are all ambitious but possible goals for a company with a solid roster and a coach who, after the feat with the Latvian national team, has decided to raise the bar higher and higher.
After seven days without being able to play and after 11 with just 8 points scored in total, Achille Polonara è returned to double figures thanks to the 11 signed in Saturday night’s win. The last time the player from the Marche region had finished with at least 10 points on the scoreboard, è dated October 8, 2023 against the'Openjobmetis Varese; the coincidence comes with the number of rebounds captured, also in that challenge they were 9 and did not allow the 1991 class to record a 'double-double'. The 23 totaled under evaluation è Polonara’s best figure of the season: third game in double figures for evaluation after the 18 in the win over Openjobmetis Varese and the 11 that came in the loss against EA7 Emporio Armani Milano. Although the best form is yet to be found, Achille è was still employed for 20 minutes, which is the second game in which è he was used more; after the 22 played against Varese; this è is news that will make his coach and his own fans smile, that of a player rediscovered and getting closer to the best possible condition.
