Fortitudo remounted in Avellino, Caja pulls a player’s ears

Avellino makes the home factor count and reopens the A2 playoff quarterfinal series by beating Fortitudo Bologna in game-3. After a dominating first half (30-45 at halftime), the Emilian team dropped drastically in the second half, getting caught up and beaten 75-71 by the Irpini, who brought the series to 2-1. For the hosts on the shields Francis with 22 points, and Lewis with 21, well also Pullazi with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Bologna’s top scorer was Perkovic with 15 points. Race-4 is scheduled again at Pala Del Mauro on Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

After the match coach Attilio Caja expressed himself as follows: “Congratulations to them, they were a little better than us. In the last quarter they went ahead, but we were back in the final. I would especially highlight the rebounds, which are usually to our advantage: the offensive rebounds today decided the game.”

Fortitudo will try again on Thursday: “We have another opportunity, we know about Avellino’s strength and quality, today we did well for three quarters, we hope to do well for the whole game, being careful about rebounds. Let’s keep the good things and think about the next one, I don’t think there was a mental blackout.”

Caja in the final was angry with Mastellari for a purposely missed free throw: “He decided to miss without anyone telling him, that free throw was to be scored. It’s not like he missed a second, he missed eight…let’s say he’s just recently arrived with us, the others have a year of living and rules, some things fit. Imbrò? He got the go-ahead from the specialist, I think he will be able to help us.”