Playoff semifinals, Perugia doubles up with Civitanova

The second home loss of the season complicates Cucine Lube Civitanova’s path in the Credem Banca SuperLega Play Offs. Sir Susa Vim Perugia’s Corsair blitz at the tie break (21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 10-15) in Game 2 of the Scudetto Semifinals cost Giampaolo Medei’s men dearly. The red-and-whites find themselves down 2-0 in the best-of-five series and will have to overcome themselves on Wednesday, April 16 (8:30 p.m.) at PalaBarton Energy in Game 3 to extend the challenge to the fourth match. Otherwise, the Marches collective will have to settle for fighting in the Final for third place against the loser of the Semifinal between Itas Trentino and Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza.

Good effort in attack and wall defense by the hosts, but the Umbrian’s 14 aces made the difference in the top stages. MVP of the match Plotnytskyi, author of 15 points, including as many as 7 on serve. The top scorer also has the HCL jersey, Ben Tara with 23 points. Also in double figures for the guests were Semeniuk (15) and Loser (12). On the red and white front, Bottolo and Lagumdzija reached 17 seals apiece, followed by Nikolov at 11.

The same lineups as in Game 1 were on the court. In the first set, which was very balanced until Sir’s decisive break, there was a good Lube on court in attack (19-16), but Perugia found a comeback by getting ahead on serve and won by capitalizing on the 4 aces divided equally between Ben Tara and Plotnytskyi (21-25). On the comeback Lube grew on serve (3 aces), attacked with a sumptuous 72% (6 of 8 by Nikolov) and obliterated their rivals at the wall (2 to 0 winners) imposing 25-18. In the third set it is the details that make the difference: Civitanova recovers three points of disadvantage (23-23) struggling with a Bottolo with 7 seals, but Sir, who attacks with 70% as a team, closes it with Semeniuk’s fifth point (23-25). In the fourth act, Boninfante’s excellent direction, which allows a fluid attack (68% team with Bottolo touching 5 points), and the tightness of the wall-defense (6 the winning blocks) relaunch Lube (25-21). Perugia’s 4 aces in the tie break (3 initial by Plotnytskyi) put Lube on the ropes, which gave up struggling (10-15).

The RACE

Before the match, red-and-white opposite Adis Lagumdzija received the Credem Banca MVP of the Quarters award from the hands of Mauro Giusepponi, Credem Banca small corporate Marche development manager.

Cucinieri lined up with Boninfante at the dribble and Lagumdzija as offensive terminal, Bottolo and Nikolov at the band, Chinenyeze and Podrascanin at the center, Bisotto at libero. Given the unavailability of Balaso, on the bench in the Lube group is also Diego Gatto, an athlete from the 2008 class nursery. The guests set up with Giannelli in the control booth and Ben Tara in place 2, Plotnytskyi and Semeniuk in the band, Loser and Solé in the center, Colaci free.

The Lube team’s starting lineup was a lightning start.

Lube’s lightning start led Lorenzetti to call a time out at 4-1. The guests’ reaction was not long in coming (8-8). After the flare-ups, the set continues point to point between overtakes and counter-overtakes. The hosts find the triple advantage after the HCL errors (19-16), but Sir places a partial four points in a row closed by Plotnytskyi’s two aces (19-20). Just as in Game 1, Sir accelerated in the final set and closed with Ben Tara’s ace (21-25).

On the return Lube did not lose its verve and went ahead 9-6 after Lagumdzija’s ace and kept Sir at bay from nine meters also with Bottolo (14-11). Lagumdzija’s attack increases the gap (16-12) and Lorenzetti inserts Ishikawa for Plotnytskyi, but the applause is for Nikolov (17-12). Boninfante’s wall, Nikolov’s diagonal, Lagumdzija’s ace and a guest offense send the Palas into ecstasy (22-13) against a struggling Sir. The Umbrians’ serve out is worth 25-18. The only jarring note for Civitanova was a disciplinary action against the red and white bench for protests.

During the third set Loeppky enters for Nikolov. Perugia grinds out the game (7-10). On Semeniuk’s wall for +4 bianconero (10-14), Medei calls a time out. In the heart of the set, there is room for the diagonal composed of Orduna and Dirlic, but also for central Gargiulo. Lube halves the disadvantage after a block and thanks to a Sir error (16-18). Perugia redeems itself at the wall (17-21). Civitanova does not give up and comes back under with two Boninfante aces (20-21). Sir finds the break (20-23), but Predators push Lube to even, much applause for Bottolo’s ace and Loeppky’s play (23-23). Efforts thwarted by the Perugia one-two closed by Semeniuk (23-25).

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In the fourth set Gargiulo and Loeppky remain on the court. There is a fight on every ball on the court (8-7). On Chinenyeze’s first half Civitanova leads 14-12, while Bottolo’s hand out is worth +3 (16-13). The bianconeri do not give up (17-16), but Bottolo’s timing on offense keeps Lube ahead (18-16) and Lagumdzija’s attack after Bisotto’s feat materializes in 20-17. Chinenyeze’s intuition for 22-18 is crucial. The Frenchman repeats at the wall for 24-19. Sir cancels two set balls, but Babar does not hold (25-21).

The tie-break opens with three aces by the usual Plotnytskyi and Ben Tara’s hands out (0-4). At the change of court, the distance is unchanged (4-8) and on Solé’s winning attack, followed by the Marche’s conclusion out, and an offensive hit, Perugia stretches (4-11). Lube’s diagonal change tries to reopen it with an ace by newcomer Poriya (7-11). The final is of the HCL brand. Lube limits the damage, but falls on Ben Tara’s hand out (10-15).

Table

Cucine Lube Civitanova – Sir Susa Vim Perugia 2-3 (21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 10-15)

Cucine Lube Civitanova: Boninfante 3, Bottolo 17, Chinenyeze 9, Lagumdzija 17, Nikolov 11, Podrascanin 5, Gargiulo 5, Loeppky 6, Orduna, Bisotto (L), Poriya 1, Dirlic, Gatto (L) ne, Tenorio ne. All. Medei.

Sir Susa Vim Perugia: Giannelli 2, Plotnytskyi 15, Solé 7, Ben Tara 23, Semeniuk 15, Loser 12, Piccinelli (L) ne, Cianciotta ne, Herrera, Colaci (L), Candellaro ne, Zoppellari, Usowicz ne, Ishikawa 2. All. Lorenzetti.

ARBITRIERS: Curto (TS) and Carcione (RM).

NOTE: Duration: 32′, 31′, 38′, 32′, 19′. Total: 2h 32′. Civitanova: Wrong serves 20, aces 8, walls 12, attack 56%, reception 43% (24% perfect). Perugia: wrong serves 20, aces 14, walls 5, attack 53%, reception % ( % perfect). Spectators: 4,035. MVP: Plotnytskyi.