Cantù surrenders to Virtus, De Raffaele doesn't hide bitterness

The 26th day of the Serie A basketball championship goes into the archives with Virtus Bologna’s 89-79 victory over Pallacanestro Cantù. For the Felsinians, led by a 34-point Carsen Edwards, it is a sigh of relief after eight straight defeats three league and Euroleague, while for the Brianzoli it is a knockout that comes after the successes against Trieste and Sassari, no small feat in the fight for permanence in the top league.

On the sidelines of the match, Biancoblù head coach Walter De Raffaele took stock, explaining what was lacking to beat the team that returned to the top spot this evening: “It was difficult to ask more from the team, given the conditions in which we presented ourselves. We interpreted the first two quarters quite badly, much better instead the final two with that great effort that allowed us to get back to -4. Then we made some mistakes and were punished by Alston and an Edwards who played at his level throughout the game.”

“I don’t have much to reproach my players for, except for the too many free lost balls that cost us so much in the end – De Raffaele then explained, clarifying the main factor, in his opinion, of the defeat -. Let’s congratulate Bologna, reset and think about the next game, trying to recover some players who are crucial for us.”

In the standings, Virtus Bologna has joined Brescia at the top of the standings with 38 points; Olimpia Milano and Reyer Venezia follow at 34, Tortona at 30, Trieste at 26, Reggio Emilia at 24 and Varese at 22 as far as the playoff zone is concerned. Fighting just outside the top eight are Trento and Cremona at 20, while the salvation fight involves Udine and Napoli, both at 18 points, as well as Cantù with 16, Sassari with 14 and Treviso with 12.