Valli after the loss to Avellino: “We need to be less afraid”

CMT Orange Tools Pesaro certainly didn’t lack determination, but they were unable to return to winning ways: at the Pala Del Mauro, the Serie A2 Matchday 7 game went to the home team, Halley Campania Avellino Basket, by a score of 79-70. The Irpinia-based team moves up to 12 points in the standings, while the red-and-whites remain at 10.

“We paid the price physically and in our ball movement,” said Giorgio Valli, coach of the Marche-based team. “The opposing defense managed to contain us and prevent us from moving the ball quickly, not allowing us to create advantages.” “We need to start playing like we did in the second half—with less fear and by raising the physical intensity of our game, holding our own in athletic matchups. We’re working on it, but right now we’re not yet able to win those kinds of battles.”

The loss in Avellino, therefore, is a setback that weighs heavily, especially in light of a brilliant start to the season: after five games, Pesaro was still undefeated, with a perfect record of ten points, alongside Libertas Livorno and the very same Avellino team. The Biancorossi had reached that mark with five consecutive wins, including the victory at the Vitrifrigo Arena against UEB Gesteco Cividale in the midweek game on October 21. Some of those victories, however, had been hard-fought, and the battle for the top of the standings promised to be anything but easy.

The coaching staff is led by Giorgio Valli, the team’s new head coach, assisted by assistant coach Giacomo Baioni, who has been retained for his fourth consecutive season on the red-and-white staff. Among the new additions to the roster is Andrea De Nicolao, a point guard born in 1991 who was signed in July after two seasons with Cantù and a successful Serie A2 playoff run in 2024–2025. His arrival, as explained by sports director Nicola Egidio, is intended to solidify the team-building strategy based on a blend of young players and veterans.